'I'm calling it: Stan Original Series Critical Incident is the crime drama of the year.'

Today I'm in Sydney's west, on the streets of Granville. But unlike what you would expect from a quiet suburban neighbourhood, I am right in the middle of a booming television set, where a new Australian contemporary crime drama is being filmed.

The Stan Original Series Critical Incident is expected to captivate audiences, as it delves into the complex world of policing and the consequences on those most vulnerable.

All I've been told about the show is this: when a police officer pursues a teenage suspect onto a busy train platform, a bystander is critically injured, and the lives of the pursued and pursuer are thrown into turmoil.

As you can imagine, I'm immediately intrigued.

Watch the official trailer for Stan Original Series Critical Incident. Post continues below.

Zoë Boe is the lead, Dalia Tun, in Critical Incident.

As we talk and sit next to one another on plastic chairs, sheltered from the rain by a marquee, it's clear from her performance today that she's thriving in this creative role.

"It's such a multi-layered story. It's a story about trauma, but mostly about resilience — especially what happens to young people that are in the criminal justice system," she notes.

She says one of the hardest but "most powerful" scenes she has shot is a moment when Dalia is strip-searched by police. 

Reflecting on it, Boe tells Mamamia: "It happens a lot with underage kids and it was distressing for us to act out and film. But it's so crucial to the storyline and this wider conversation. Plus, the team has been insanely supportive throughout it."

The scene that I sit down to watch is an interaction between Dalia and her unstable boyfriend Hayden Broadis, played by Jai Waetford. Hayden is introducing Dalia into a world of crime. Dalia is a teen who is soon to age out of the Care System, which has failed her repeatedly. 

There's at least three dozen crew on set, a reminder that it takes a village to make just one small scene for the screen.

Zoë Boe says Critical Incident is not only a show about trauma, but more so a show about resilience. Image: Stan.

Akshay Khanna plays Zil Ahmed, a Senior Constable from Blacktown. Encouraged by his brothers in blue, Zil becomes obsessed with pinning a crime on Dalia. It narrows his vision completely and leads to a very dramatic turn of events. 

Khanna has been in a number of stellar projects recently, including Red, White & Royal Blue and The Doll Factory. Hailing from the UK, Khanna says he's ecstatic to have landed a role that brought him to Australia. Especially a role that had such a strong script.

"I knew the writing was solid, and seeing the character arc come to life has been great. I think this is the best thing that I've ever done," he says.

"Everyone here, all the actors, they are so generous, smart and care so much. I've done some small stints on higher-profile jobs and there isn't often as much camaraderie. But here, it just feels like a joy to work."

Every now and then, there are whirring planes above our heads interrupting our conversation — and the planes are certainly fun for the TV crew trying to film around. But as Khanna says, that's the beauty of working on sets that aren't completely in production studios. It's far more authentic.

His co-star, Roxie Mohebbi, is another must-watch actor.

She says filming this series has had a profound impact on her. 

"I think the show is really special because it is political. It's about Australia's juvenile justice system and the psychology of humans and policing. It's beautifully written and all the actors here, many of whom are people of colour, have given really heartfelt performances," Mohebbi says.

"We're not trying to alienate anyone or any group. It's about giving an honest picture of the system and letting the audience use their empathy or humanity to make their own assumptions and conclusions about these characters."

Roxie Mohebbi and Akshay Khanna give outstanding performances. Image: Stan.

For the show's writer and creator, Sarah Bassiuoni she tells Mamamia that it's been a "pinch me experience" to see her vision come to life on set. 

"I used to be a lawyer and in the last four years of my legal career I did civil litigation, predominantly police misconduct matters. I wanted to come up with a show that was first and foremost entertaining, but that also gave some insight into how a person's life can veer off track without them necessarily doing anything 'wrong'."

Ultimately, one event in the show's storyline changes every single character's life and trajectory. Seeing that explosive plot come to life, is well-worth your precious screen time. 

The Stan Original Series Critical Incident premieres August 12, all episodes at once and only on Stan.

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Feature Image: Stan.