The six-part series Treasure & Dirt, co-produced by the BBC and directed by Madeleine Gottlieb, opens with a beheading in the remote opal-mining town of Nulla. The victim's head remains in his lap, triggering what the press notes describe as "a labyrinthine case with no easy answers." Adapted from Chris Hammer's novel by writers Matt Cameron and Kate Mulvany, the show brings a grand and surreal cinematic scope rarely seen in television crime dramas.
A Detective Duo and a Bizarre Setting
Detective Ivan Lucic (Michael Dorman) is a gruff, no-nonsense investigator paired with rookie detective Nell Buchanan (Liv Hewson). Their first lead is a "ratter"—a thief who steals opals from mines at night. The local senior sergeant, Pat Richter (Sarah Peirse), advocates a form of "self-policing" in Nulla, which has its own peculiar customs and unwritten laws. The town feels like another country entirely, joining a rich vein of off-the-map Australian locations seen in shows like Deadloch and Population 11.
Dreamlike Atmosphere and Vivid Characters
The mood in Treasure & Dirt is dreamlike but subtle, with a faded, weather-beaten look. Cinematographer Edward Goldner and editor Tyson Williams apply rigour and discipline, allowing individual moments to breathe. The greatest pleasure lies not in the crime but in learning about the town and its weird dynamics. Locals include opal dealer The Irishman (Dean O'Gorman), physically imposing "Man Mountain" (Nathan Jones), tech billionaire Robby Inglis (Eamon Farren), and cult leader David "The Seer" (Thomas M Wright).
Comedy and Quirkiness Handled Naturally
The self-proclaimed "Mayor" (Mark Mitchinson) is a gloriously strange figure, first seen marinating in an outdoor spa in rainbow-coloured bathers. Gottlieb directs the cast to be funny normal rather than just funny weird, creating a natural feel within a reality profoundly bent out of shape. There are occasional slow patches and character dynamics that don't entirely coalesce, but the show remains a terrific watch.
A Different Kind of Mystery
Treasure & Dirt understands that the best mysteries aren't always about who committed the crime, but about the place where it happened. The bodies will keep piling up on Australian television, but this show is different. It airs on ABC TV on Sundays at 8.30pm and is available to stream on ABC iView, with a UK airdate to follow.
