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Do you need to watch Australia before Faraway Downs?

By Michael Weyer

Faraway Downs -- The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government's draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover, and the unavoidable impact of World War II on Northern Australia. Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and Drover (Hugh Jackman), shown. (Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios)
Faraway Downs -- The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government's draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover, and the unavoidable impact of World War II on Northern Australia. Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) and Drover (Hugh Jackman), shown. (Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios) /
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TV shows based on movies are nothing new in Hollywood. But leave it to Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) to put a wild spin on it by turning his 2008 film Australia into a six-part TV Hulu show called Faraway Downs! Do you need to watch the film to get this new series?

In 2008, Baz Luhrmann, the director of such films as Moulin Rouge, took on what was going to be his big epic. Australia began in 1939 as Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) traveled from England to Darwin to force her wayward husband to sell his failing ranch. That has her clashing with Neil Fletcher (David Wenham), who schemes to steal the ranch from Sarah after her husband is killed.

Sarah gets help from the Drover (Hugh Jackman), with the two falling in love. The whole thing is watched and narrated by young Nullah (Brandon Walters) as the pair continue their fight with Fletcher and the dawn of World War II.

The movie had mixed reviews and was disappointing at the box office. However, Luhrmann never forgot it and, in 2020, hit upon the idea of taking scores of the unused footage and transforming it into an actual show, Faraway Downs. 

It’s a bold idea, going further than a typical “director’s cut” for a film. Yet is it necessary to watch the original movie before taking on this “new” show about it?

Faraway Downs
Faraway Downs — (Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Studios) /

Is it necessary to watch Australia before Faraway Downs?

When describing the series to Deadline in 2022, Luhrmann explained that while fans of the movie may enjoy the show, the point is for it to stand on its own with a deeper storyline.

"“While Australia the film has its own life, there was another telling of this story; one with different layers, nuances and even alternative plot twists that an episodic format has allowed us to explore. Drawn from the same material, Faraway Downs is a new variation on Australia for audiences to discover.”"

So yes, fans of Australia can enjoy how the series deepens the storyline and characters with a few surprises. However, it’s not necessary to have watched the movie first as Faraway Downs looks to be its own separate project that finally brings Luhrmann’s vision for his Australian epic to life as he intended.

Faraway Downs premieres Sunday, Nov. 26, on Hulu. Australia also streaming on Hulu.

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