The incredible true story behind the new Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms.

Inside New South Wales's Scheyville National Park it's hard to tell the difference between an original migrant hut and what's been designed for the new Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms. 

The row of white dome-shaped huts, with their rusted roofs and small windows, are the new homes for a group of Brits who've made the long voyage to Australia in the drama series.

Walking around set, I'm told the huts took weeks to construct, with the walls specially designed to look aged to match the post-WWII era in which the show is set. 

They are shabby and underwhelming, and after stepping inside it's not hard to see how some would feel robbed having made the voyage to Australia to live in what resembles a giant shed.

It's far from the sun-drenched houses with white picket fences and big backyards those in the series were promised. 

Image: Stan

The six-part series, which premieres on May 14, follows a group of Brits as they leave post-war Britain in 1956 for a new life on the other side of the world, only to find life down under isn't as idyllic as they expected.

A co-production between BBC and Stan, Ten Pound Poms is produced by the same team behind the award-winning Sex Education and stars British actors Michelle Keegan (Brassic, Coronation Street), Faye Marsay (Game of Thrones, Black Mirror) and Warren Brown (The Responder, Luther). 

Watch: The trailer for Ten Pound Poms. Post continues below.

Like those in the series, over one million people came from the UK to Australia in the 1950s. 

Given the colloquial term 'Ten Pound Poms', migrants typically paid just £10 for their fair, under the government's Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which was set up to boost the population after the Second World War. 

For those wanting to escape post-war Britain and enjoy a sunny adventure down under, it was an attractive offer. 

But, like many good things, there was a catch. 

Migrants were required to stay in Australia for two years and give up their passports on arrival. If they wanted to return home, they would have to pay back the price of their ticket and fork out enough money for their journey home, where there was no low-cost option available.

Those who had no connections in Australia and little money, also found themselves living in migrant hotels, where they were provided very basic living arrangements and could save to buy their own home. However, according to Museums Victoria, many ended up staying in the hostels until they had completed their two years and were able to return back to Britain. 

The Stan series gives us a compelling look at this key chapter of Australian history though the lives of the characters Annie (played by Marsay) and Terry Roberts (played by Brown), a Manchester couple are trying to make the best of the situation for their family, despite poor living conditions at the hostel and unfriendly attitudes from locals. 

We also follow the adventures of young nurse Kate (played by Keegan), who arrives in Australia without her fiance and will do anything to try and rewrite her past.

The series also features a group of Aussies actors, including Rob Collins (Mystery Road, Firebite), Leon Ford (Elvis) and Hattie Hook, who plays Annie and Terry's teenage daughter, Pattie. 

While Hook said she instantly fell in love with her character who she described as "a badass", she had to do some work to convey a Northerner accent. 

"When the audition came through and it said ‘Manchester accent required’ I had no idea how to do one, so I had to hop onto YouTube straight away. I was sweating as it’s so different from my own Aussie voice - it was very terrifying and intimidating in the beginning," she told Mamamia via a statement. 

Thankfully, with the help of a dialogue coach, she was able to perfect the accent before the cameras started rolling. 

"By the time I got to set, the accent was hopefully somewhat plausible and it really adds a whole other layer to getting into character," she said. 

Image: Stan/Supplied.

Aside from her accent, Hook also had to brush up on history, having never heard of the migration scheme before the show. 

"I’m embarrassed to say that I knew nothing about the Ten Pound Poms before the audition came through. Wikipedia taught me a lot about such a huge part of our country’s history," she explained. 

"I think it’s cool that we are making a show about it, because I’ve never seen this explored in depth on screen before. As soon as my family found out I’d been cast in the show, they were all telling me about people they knew who were Ten Pound Poms."

With the series about the drop on Stan over the weekend, Hattie said viewers can expect to be taken on a journey and "go through a lot of ups and downs with these amazing Brits". 

"You’re initially drawn in by all the comedy and humour of these characters and situations but it turns very poignant and a lot of serious issues are explored," she said. 

"I think everyone will be able to relate to it in some way."

Every episode of the Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms arrives 4pm on Sunday 14 May. 

Feature Image: Stan.