Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and ABC TV’s Mystery Road: Origin have dominated this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, held on Wednesday at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney.
Mystery Road: Origin was the second most awarded production at the AACTAs, winning seven — including best drama series, best lead actor, for Mark Coles Smith, and best actress, for Tuuli Narkle.
The prequel series, about young Aboriginal detective Jay Swan returning to his hometown in remote Western Australia, follows the movies Mystery Road and Goldstone, and seasons one and two of ABC TV series Mystery Road.
Origin also led the TV winners at the AACTA Industry Awards on Monday, taking out best cinematography, best editing, best director, and best sound.
Accepting the award for best drama series, Mystery Road producer Greer Simpkin said: “COVID has been really hard for everyone … but we’re a really brave industry.
“Australian stories define us as a nation; they change lives.”
