The call has gone out for budding actors who want to strut their stuff in front of a worldwide audience. 

Filming is soon to get underway on a new Netflix crime drama being shot in the small coastal community of Mission Beach, in Far North Queensland.

Hundreds of extras are needed for the 10-part series, Irreverent, which centres on an American man forced to hide out in a small Australian coastal town, posing as the community's new church reverend.

The drama, to be produced by NBCUniversal International Studios and Matchbox Pictures, will begin filming at Mission Beach, two hours' drive south of Cairns next month.

It is expected to be a cash bonanza for the local economy, which has been hit hard by a downturn in international and domestic visitor numbers due to border closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich was involved in luring the production to the Far North and said Mission Beach was chosen due to its "unique" location.

"The series is set in a reef community so the Far North was always the destination of choice," Ms Munnich said.

"They will hire predominantly Queenslanders, from the electricians and carpenters who build the set, through to make-up and hair and catering, as well as all the people behind the camera.

"It also means people who relocate there will spend money in the local economy whether it's on food or accommodation or petrol or going out — it is a real boost."

Hundreds of extras needed

Ranjini Rusch works freelance for production companies sourcing talent and has been tasked with finding hundreds of extras to work alongside the main stars of Irreverent, who are yet to be announced.

Ms Rusch said while she had already held a two-day open casting day at Mission Beach, she was still accepting online applications, with local residents preferred.

"We really do need a vast range of diversity to create the community vibe that we are trying to create on screen," Ms Rusch said.

"Luckily for us, we have so many fantastic character faces up here, who live in community-type settings such as Mission Beach, Tully, Cardwell.

"It's such a great opportunity for locals to have fun, to see what it's like to work on a movie set."

Ms Rusch said she had read the draft script of the series.

"I've enjoyed the script very much and am looking forward to watching it when it's completed," she said.

"Anybody who lives in the region will recognise the locations we will be filming in.

"It will be a real boost for the community's morale, especially during these hard times."

Queensland draws focus

Since the beginning of 2020, Queensland has secured 39 international and  domestic productions, worth an estimated $437 million to the local economy.

Baz Luhrman's Elvis biopic has been shooting on the Gold Coast, while George Clooney and Julia Roberts' new romantic comedy, Ticket to Paradise, will start filming in the Whitsundays soon.

"We are all looking forward to that," Ms Munnich said.

"That will definitely put a lens on Queensland."