After recently seeing Mark Coles Smith in We Bury The Dead and being genuinely impressed with his performance, it was exciting to step back into his earlier incarnation of Jay Swan in Mystery Road: Origin Series 2. If that film showed his intensity, this series proves his range.
Set six months after the first season, Series 2 finds young detective Jay Swan attempting to build something resembling a stable life in the fading town of Loch Iris. He is living with Mary, caring for her niece, and preparing for the arrival of their first child. Domestic calm, however, is never guaranteed in the world of Mystery Road. When a young girl disappears and a former nun is found drowned, the town tightens up fast. Secrets do not just hide in Loch Iris, they feel embedded in the soil.
This is a true slow burn. The kind of mystery that takes its time, lets the air hang heavy, and trusts the audience to sit with discomfort. Honestly, this feels like the kind of show my parents would absolutely dig. It is patient, methodical, and more interested in character and consequence than flashy twists. The tension builds gradually, almost imperceptibly at times, but it always feels intentional.
Visually, the series continues to lean into the cinematic strength that has defined the Mystery Road universe. The forests, dams, and waterways of Western Australia are not just backdrops. They loom. They brood. The tall trees and shimmering lake surrounding Loch Iris take on an almost gothic quality, reinforcing the sense that the past is alive and watching. The landscape feels as dangerous as any suspect.
Coles Smith anchors it all. In this season, Jay is not just a detective chasing leads. He is a man caught between his duty and his personal life, between loyalty and truth. You can see the strain in his performance as the case begins to unravel more than just a crime. It threatens his relationship, his future, and his sense of belonging. Coles Smith gives Jay a quiet intensity that never tips into melodrama. It is controlled, layered work.
The supporting cast strengthens the series without overpowering it. The dynamic between Jay and Mary carries emotional weight, especially as the investigation begins to fracture their trust. The sense of community in Loch Iris feels authentic, which makes the town’s silence and resistance all the more unsettling.
At six episodes and a total running time of 360 minutes, Series 2 allows itself space to breathe. Some viewers may find the pacing deliberate to a fault, but for those willing to settle in, the payoff is worth it. This is outback noir that respects its audience.
Mystery Road: Origin Series 2 is not about shock value. It is about atmosphere, history, and the way secrets ripple through generations. With a gripping central mystery and a performance from Mark Coles Smith that proves he can carry both quiet drama and investigative tension, this season cements itself as a strong continuation of the saga.
If you are looking for a superb, slow burn drama with teeth beneath its still surface, the road back to Loch Iris is well worth the trip.
Jessie Hobson