Coolum stars in new ABC show The Strange Calls
IT'S a male version of the television series Mother and Son thrown into the world of The X-Files.
That's how Daley Pearson - creator, writer and director of the new ABC series The Strange Calls - describes his first major television gig.
Set in Coolum Beach, the series shows how an idyllic beachside town can turn a little loopy when bizarre truths come alive after midnight.
Recently disgraced city cop Toby Banks arrives in Coolum to begin his new role on the graveyard shift in a derelict caravan on the outskirts of town.
Enter Gregor, a know-it-all local who, in between playing board games and watching Roseanne TV comedy marathons, wages his personal crusade to investigate all the strange calls of Coolum.
Considered a crackpot by locals, he knows everyone and everything, and joins forces with Banks to deal with Coolum's surreal emergencies.
Pearson, 27, grew up in Coolum and was thrilled to be able to film his first major series right at home.
The series has just been picked up by US station ABC for an American pilot.
The show was inspired by his graveyard shifts at David Low Way convenience store, The Shop.
"I did graveyard shifts there for a little while, so I think that's where it came from," he said.
"It's what the show's about - a police officer working the night shift and meeting strange people.
"It's not a coincidence.
"I used to meet really nice and funny people during my shifts, but different people to whom you would see during the daylight.
"It was the 11pm to 6am crowd.
"The crazy things tended to happen the shift before mine, but I would hear stories from my friends so that's probably why I've elaborated some of the stories.
"The worst thing I experienced was some kids who were throwing around a pineapple and I was trying to figure out how to deal with it.
"I thought if I was direct, they would stop it, and they ended up smashing it on the ground."
