It’s lights, camera, action at Halcyon Waters this summer after the Hope Island community won a role in an upcoming Foxtel drama series.

Halcyon Waters is one of a handful of Gold Coast locations to be chosen as the backdrop for the 10-episode series being produced for Foxtel and Sky UK by Academy Award-winning See-Saw Films. Best known for their work on six-time Academy Award nominated ‘Lion’, The King’s speech and multi- award wining ‘Top of the lake’.

Filming began in November and involves several shoots inside two homes, the pool and Leisure Club, the library, Lakehouse, Celebration Park and the Secret Garden until February.

The cast includes Frances O’Connor, Dame Harriet Walter, Noni Hazlehurst, Robyn Nevin, John Waters, Alex Dimitriades, Luke Arnold and Roy Billing. 

The as-yet unnamed series tells the story of an Australia-based doctor who brings her estranged mother out from England to live in a lifestyle community. The narrative follows their stumbling and fractious journey towards rebuilding their relationship.

Halcyon Waters home owners Paula Clegg and Rod Baker were only too happy to move out for six days while their home became a film set.

Paula said Rod had surprised her with the news when she arrived home from a holiday.

“I drove into the garage and Rod was there and he said, ‘you better hurry up we’ve got a film crew of 20 people coming in an hour to look at the house,” Paula said.

“I said, ‘Rod, pull the other one, I know I’ve been away for four days, but you don’t have to make these wild stories up’.

“You never hear of a film shoot in an over 50s community; it’s just so amazing and it’s great for Halcyon.”

Rod joked that their home was about to become famous.

“Hopefully it will add value to our property when we come to sell,” he laughed.

“This is totally new to both of us, so from that point of view it’s fascinating to see these people working and to be able to say our house is being used in a TV series.”

Next-door neighbours Paul and Avalyn Muller said they were delighted to have front-row seats to the film set, given that their two-level home also overlooks Celebration Park and the Lakehouse.

“We’re thinking of letting out some balcony seats for people to watch,” Paul joked.

“I think it’s a feather in the cap for Halcyon to be chosen.”

The series will screen on Foxtel’s drama series channel, Fox Showcase.