The stars of Scrublands on Stan told us all the twists and turns coming in Season 2.

Upon its debut, the Stan Original Series Scrublands quickly earned its place as one of the most gripping crime dramas Australia has produced.

And good news! Season 2 of Scrublands, titled Scrublands: Silver, premieres on Stan on April 17, 2025.

The first season of Scrublands, adapted from the Chris Hammer novel of the same name, followed investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold) as he uncovered dark secrets in the remote town of Riversend after a mass shooting by a local priest.

In Season 2, Martin returns to his coastal hometown, Port Silver, with his partner Mandy Bond (Bella Heathcote). But their fresh start is shattered when Martin's childhood friend Jasper is found murdered, and Mandy becomes the prime suspect.

The new season brings back Arnold, Heathcote, Sarah Roberts, Toby Truslove, Jay Ryan and Robert Taylor.

Watch the trailer for Season 2. Post continues after video.

In a chat with Mamamia, Bella Heathcote talked us through the moment she found out Scrublands was back for another season.

"I was stoked. I'd read the books, I just ripped through it and I loved working with everyone. I just wanted to get the band back together again," she said.

"It feels so rare these days to get that call for the second season or the third season or whatever season — it always feels like a real treat."

Sarah Roberts told us she actively asked for another season.

"I was actually pestering my agent about it. I kept emailing her and saying, 'Oh my gosh, is there gonna be a season two of Scrublands?'," she recalled before finally getting the happy news.

Heading into a new season and storyline, Heathcote's character Mandy left off on a positive note.

"She's got some closure about her past… things are looking really hopeful, and so many loose ends in her life had been tied up," she said. "Then Season 2 happens, and I just thought, 'Poor Mandy, she just can't catch a break, can she?' [laughs]."

Roberts is excited her character Beth gets to go out in the field more in the second season. "She's gotten more confident at her job, she had those wins in Season 1, and she's not a shrinking violet anymore."

Sarah Roberts as Beth in Scrublands: Silver. Image: Supplied.

Both actors agree there is different vibes between the seasons.

"Season 1 was the why-done-it and then Season 2, we've got the whodunnit," Heathcote said. "It's the kind of show that my dad loves watching, which is actually my litmus test for everything. If my dad likes it, I know it's gonna be good."

For fans of the book series by Chris Hammer, Heathcote promises there will still be some surprises in store. "The book is quite different to the series. [The screenwriter] Felicity Packard did a great job at writing the show," she said.

"There is a lot that's different, but I think I was just blown away by all the twists and turns and surprises. I had no idea who the murderer was going to be."

With the return of another season, the original cast and crew had something of a class reunion. "It felt like a reunion and then we got new friends at school too," Bella said.

These 'new friends' include a stellar cast of fresh additions, including Luke Carroll, Debra Lawrance and Tasma Walton.

"We have a really fantastically strong supporting cast," Roberts added. "It was like a family reunion with lots of cherries on top as well."

The setting of the regional town of Augusta in WA was something that struck both of the series' stars.

"There's something about that setting. Augusta and WA in the winter… it's cinematic and powerful and windswept — the landscape really informed it," Heathcote said.

"It was so charming spending time in a quiet coastal town, hanging out with your friends and getting paid to do what you love. It's a dream job."

Bella Heathcote and Luke Arnold in Scrublands: Silver. Image: Supplied.

Roberts said that the landscape added a whole new dimension to the season. "That's what's so beautiful about Australian noir at the moment, right? The landscape adds so much to the story, because already it feels desolate, isolated, eerie and creepy."

The cast formed close bonds by spending their free time going whale watching, or their nights at the local pub.

"Because we were all working away from home in Augusta, we all became quite close," Sarah said.

"I remember when I first drove into Augusta, it was a really surreal feeling because I looked around and saw the town, and it looked exactly like what I had imagined from reading the book."

With the cast making unforgettable memories together, a potential third season would be a welcome idea.

"I would definitely. There's something I love about Mandy and Martin," Heathcote said. "I've also read the third book and would just love to see that on the screen. I just want to get the band back together again and again and again."

"I'm ready to go right now," Roberts agreed. "There's definitely room for more, a lot more… I haven't read the third book, but I'd love to go get it, read it and start manifesting."

As for the biggest twist heading viewers' way for the second season's murder mystery, Sarah eagerly replies "Who did it. I don't think anyone will see it coming. I hope no one will see it coming."

Scrublands: Silver premieres on Stan on April 17.

Feature image: Stan.