WALT Disney studios have brought all kinds of families to the screen – from 101 Dalmatians to dwarves to Mary Poppins and the Banks children

But now, the studio will tackle a new type of family inspired by an infamous Australian cult who resided near Lake Eildon in the early 1960s.

Disney+ recently released a trailer for The Clearing, an eight–part psychological thriller based on the best–selling crime novel In the Clearing, by Melbourne–based author J.P Pomare.

Pomare's 2019 novel was inspired by The Family, a doomsday cult led by Anne Hamilton–Byrne.

Filmed across Victoria, the Disney+ series follows the nightmares of a woman (Teresa Palmer) who must face the demons of her past to stop a cult from kidnapping local children.

The series boasts an impressive all–star Australian cast including Miranda Otto (Lord of the Rings), Guy Pearce (Jack Irish), and Hazem Shammas (Safe Harbour).

Director Jeffrey Walker was thrilled to feature some of "Australia's finest talent".

"The atmosphere and mood of this piece is so unique, I truly hope that it captivates, enthrals and thrills the audience," he said.

Melbourne–based author J.P Pomare (Photo: jppomare.com)

From the 1960s to the 1980s, Hamilton–Byrne acquired approximately 28 infants and young children and inducted them into her cult, known as The Family.

The children's identities were changed and they were dressed in matching clothes and had bleached platinum hair.

Hamilton–Byrne claimed she was a reincarnation of Jesus Christ and preached a variety of apocalyptic prophecies.

She allegedly subjected the children to beatings and starvation and forced them to take LSD and other hallucinogens as part of initiation rituals.

Victims of The Family cult lift the lid on leader Anne Hamilton-Byrne (Photo: dailystar.co.uk)

Despite Hamilton–Byrne's notoriety, she was never officially charged with abuse and was only fined $5000 for falsifying birth documents.

Multiple documentaries, novels and podcasts have explored the cult's alleged atrocities,

Australian and New Zealand Walt Disney Senior Vice President Kylie Watson–Wheeler said the company was proud to debut the series.

"This is our first Australian produced scripted series and there's more to come," she said.

The Clearing will premiere May 24 this year on Disney+.

Source: https://www.snownews.com.au/news-news/notorious-australian-cult-inspires-new-series?amp=1