Guy Pearce and Teresa Palmer to star in Australian series The Clearing about a Doomsday Cult

Guy Pearce is set to star in new blockbuster Australian series The Clearing from streaming giant Disney+.

Based on the novel of the same name by J.P. Pomare, the eight-part thriller is a ficitonalised account of the so-called ‘Doomsday Cult’, founded in the 1960s by Anne Hamilton-Byrne. 

Producers announced that the 54-year-old homegrown Hollywood favourite has already commenced filming the big-budget drama in Victoria.

Also starring is Australian favourite Miranda Otto, 54, who plays a cult leader in the event series.

She will go head-to-head in the story with Discovery of Witches star Teresa Palmer, who plays a former member of the cult who tries to break away to lead a normal life.

Other featured cast members confirmed on Wednesday include Beloved Bump actress Claudia Karvan, Harrow star Anna Lise Phillips and Xavier Samuel, who scored plaudits for his role in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis.

Also starring is Australian favourite Miranda Otto, 54, who plays a cult leader in the event series 

Logie award winner Hazeem Shammas (Safe Harbour) will also play an important role in the drama alongside Mystery Road’s Mark Coles-Smith.

Fans can also look forward to seeing Aussie acting legend Gary Sweet, The Twelve’s Kate Mulvany and Offspring’s Alicia Gardiner appear in featured roles.

Talent behind the scenes include Miranda Ott’s sister Gracie (Bump), who will share directing duties on the show with Jeffrey Walker (Lambs of God.)

She will go head-to-head in the story with Discovery of Witches star Teresa Palmer, who plays a former member of the cult who tries to break away to lead a normal life 

The show was created and written by Elise McCredie, Matt Cameron, with co-writer Osamah Sami and produced by Sydney-based company Wooden Horse.   

The Clearing is amongst the titles of The Walt Disney Company’s first big foray into homegrown Aussie production.

The TV and movie giant announced a series of major projects, worth millions, which will be produced in Australia and New Zealand in May.

Also part of Disney’s new Australian productions is The Artful Dodger, a ‘sequel’ to Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. 

According to reports the shows will stream on the Disney+ Star platform. 

Miranda’s sister Gracie Otto (pictured) will direct the series with Jeffrey Walker