Ben Feldman reveals what it was like filming Stan series Population 11 in a remote Australian town with ‘murderous’ animals – and the strange Australian mentality he can’t seem to understand

He is the American actor best known for starring in the period drama Mad Men and the sitcom series Superstore.

But Ben Feldman swapped his glossy Hollywood film sets for a job in the Australian outback to film the new Stan Original series Population 11.

The Australian comedy-thriller series, which premiered on Thursday, follows American Andy Pruden (Feldman), who travels to the Australian Outback to visit his father, whom he barely knows.

In a twist, Andy is crushed when he discovers that his father Hugo, played by Australian actor Darren Gilshenan, has disappeared without a trace.

He quickly comes to the conclusion that Hugo may have been the victim of foul play, and since the town has only eleven residents, everyone is a suspect.

The series was filmed in the small Western Australian town of Derby, which has a population of just 3,325.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Ben said it was an eye-opening experience filming the series in such a remote location.

‘It was absolutely the opposite of everything I’m used to. I’m a real city person. But that’s the fun of this job, that you get to do things that seem seemingly insane,” he explained.

The Australian comedy-thriller series, which premiered on Thursday, follows American Andy Pruden (Feldman), who travels to the Australian Outback to visit his father, whom he barely knows.

While Ben noted that the people of Derby welcomed the cast and crew who came to their city to film the show, he said the local critters were less friendly.

‘They’re terrifying. They are all murderous,” he said of the local wildlife.

‘The insects are as big as my head. There seem to be crocodiles in every body of water, so they simply choose which crocodiles are safer to swim with. I think that’s crazy, because it’s like swimming pools. Just go into a pool!’ he laughed.

‘The insects are as big as my head. There seem to be crocodiles in every body of water, so they just choose which crocodiles are safer to swim with,” he told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday.

Ben also revealed the strange Australian ‘mantra’ that he still struggles to get his head around.

“There’s a kind of Australian mentality that I learned, which is, ‘Well, you’re probably not going to die,’” he said, adding, “But no one died making this show. At least season one. So have a nice day.’

Elsewhere, Ben praised the Australian cast and crew who worked on the 12-part series.

Ben also revealed the strange Australian ‘mantra’ that he still struggles to get his head around. “There’s a kind of Australian mentality that I learned, which is, ‘Well, you’re probably not going to die,’” he said

Also starring in the show is Perry Mooney from ABC’s Gold Diggers series (pictured)

‘They are all very nice, sweet and supportive. The crew was incredible. The crew was actually excited to work,” he said.

‘You [can’ throw overtime at them and force them to work on a Saturday. In America we would all blow up and be livid. [In Australia]they just want to get the best done,” he says enthusiastically.

The show also stars Perry Mooney from ABC’s Gold Diggers series, who plays another outsider to the small town of Cassie.

The brand new series Stan Originals premieres March 14 only on Stan

Wentworth actor Katrina Milosevic plays an unfriendly local cop, while The Newsreader’s Chai Hansen and veteran Australian actor Stephen Curry (The Castle) also star.

The Twelve’s Tony Briggs, Genevieve Lemon (The Tourist), Halifax actor Rick Donald, Pippa Grandison (Frayed) and Rake’s Steve Le Marquand round out the all-star cast.

Stan Originals’ brand new series premieres March 14 only Stan.