News

The press materials for Peacock’s “Laid” call it “a f*cked up rom-com where the answer to, ‘Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?’ is a resounding ‘Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.'”

That dramatic irony hovers over the series, which has plenty of entertaining kernels — mysterious deaths, female friendship, and something called a “blowjob overlay” — but spends a lot of time on the uncomfortable reality of a person who is the problem and refuses to do the requisite work to get better.

“Laid” comes from co-showrunners Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, based on the Australian series from Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher. Ruby (Stephanie Hsu) is your average beleaguered millennial woman looking for love, except for one thing: Her exes start mysteriously dying. Along with best friend and true-crime fanatic A.J. (Zosia Mamet) — from whom she’s keeping...

Stephanie Hsu and Zosia Mamet are superheroes of a different sort, and putting the “ex” back in sexy.

The duo lead Peacock series “Laid,” which is billed as a “fucked up rom-com” about a woman (Hsu) whose exes all seem to be dying in unusual ways.

The official synopsis reads: “Ruby (Hsu) finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward, all with help from her best friend Aj (Zosia Mamet).”

Simu Liu, Kate Berlant, Alexandra Shipp, Finneas O’Connell, Andre Hyland, Olivia Holt, David Denman, Chloe Fineman, Ettore “Big E” Ewen, and John Early guest star. Along with Hsu and Mamet, Michael Angarano and Tommy Martinez are series regulars.

Oscar-nominated “Everything Everywhere All at Once” actress Hsu leads the twisted series about what to do if your exes, ranging from “the guys,...

Updated with full trailer: Peacock’s Laid comedy starring Stephanie Hsu teases the many guest stars involved with the complicated plot of the story.

The premise involves Hsu’s Ruby discovering, with the help of her best friend Aj (Zosia Mamet), that all the people she has had sex with are dying . Aj, whose fascination with true crime makes her a huge help, helps Ruby go back through her sex timeline and confront her past relationships in order to move forward.

It starts with Brandon from college, but when it goes from three ex boyfriends to six, Ruby decides that she has to start warning the ones who are still alive.

The main cast also includes Michael Angarano and Tommy Martinez.

New guest cast joining the series include Simu Liu, Kate Berlant and Alexandra Shippwho join previously announced guest stars including Andre Hyland, David Denman, John Early, Ettore “Big E” Ewen,...

Well, at least Stephanie Hsu wasn’t ghosted…but all of her exes are landing six feet under.

The Oscar-nominated “Everything Everywhere All at Once” actress leads twisted Peacock rom-com series “Laid” about a woman who knows her exes, ranging from “the guys, the girls, the one-night stands, the man she only remembers as ‘Green Day Shirt,’ and John Early” per the logline, are all about to die. And despite ending things, she does feel compelled to warn them…

The official synopsis reads: “Ruby (Hsu) finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward, all with help from her best friend Aj (Zosia Mamet).”

“Joy Ride” star Hsu also executive produces “Laid.” Michael Angarano and Tommy Martinez also star as series regulars, with Finneas O’Connell, Andre Hyland, Olivia Holt, David Denman, Chloe Fineman,...

Exclusive: Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden have been cast as leads in darkly comic drama series Sunny Nights for Australian streamer Stan. As we revealed in March, Trent O’Donnell is directing and exec producing, and Echo Lake Entertainment is among the producers.

Sunny Nights will follow siblings Martin (Forte) and Vicki (Carden) Marvin who venture to Sydney determined to start their spray tan business. When they get caught up in the city’s criminal underworld, they must figure out how to stay alive, out of prison and in the black. It’s billed as “a story of how a little bit of sun, a change of scenery, and a touch of violent crime can help a person find their true self.”

The series continues a recent trend for Nine Entertainment-owned streamer Stan to order plot-driven comedy-dramas with a mix...

Exclusive: Nahnatchka Khan is staying at Universal Television, the studio behind her upcoming Peacock comedy series Laid. Khan, who is coming off a four-year overall deal at Universal TV, has closed a first-look pact with the studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Under the multi-year deal, Khan will continue to create, develop, write, supervise and produce new projects for network, cable and streaming via her production company, Fierce Baby Productions. That includes series Killer Potential, based on the upcoming debut novel by Hannah Deitch, which is currently in development.

Fierce Baby and Universal TV won the rights to the book, which will be published in March 2025 by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, in a competitive, multi-studio bidding war.

Khan and Deitch will co-write the adaptation. The series follows two unlikely fugitives — an overeducated and broke Sat tutor who finds her rich employers brutally murdered in their backyard and...

Exclusive: Peacock’s new comedy series Laid is rounding out its cast with 8 guest stars: Andre Hyland (Barry), Olivia Holt (Totally Killer), David Denman (The Office), Finneas O’Connell (Academy Award and Grammy Winning Singer/Songwriter), Chloe Fineman (SNL), Indya Moore (Pose), Ettore “Big E” Ewen (WWE Superstar) and John Early (Would it Kill You to Laugh).

Laid is executive produced by Stephanie Hsu, who also stars alongside Zosia Mamet, Michael Angarano and Tommy Martinez.

Laid follows a woman who finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past to move forward. It’s described as a f*cked-up rom-com where the answer to “Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding: “Yes, there is. The problem is definitely you.”

The series is written and executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna (Son of Zorn). Also executive producing are John Davis and John Fox for Davis Entertainment; Jennifer Carreras for Fierce Baby; Marieke Hardy, Kirsty Fisher, and Liz Watts for Porchlight Films; and All3Media International.

Laid hails from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and is based on the Australian series of the same name created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher and produced by Liz Watts.

Denman is represented by UTA and Berwick & Kovacik management; Early is represented by UTA and Rise management; Ewen is represented by Buchwald and Bad Toro management; Fineman is represented by CAA and Nicole Garcia Management; Holt is represented by WME and Entertainment 360; Hyland is represented by Mosaic management and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer; Moore is represented by CAA, Stride Management, and Del Shaw; O’Connell is represented by WME.

Exclusive: Zosia Mamet, Michael Angarano and Tommy Martinez (Good Trouble) have been cast in Peacock’s upcoming comedy series Laid as series regulars. Mamet will play Aj, Angarano will play Richie and Martinez will play Isaac.

They join previously announced lead Stephanie Hsu in the series written and executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Laid is based on the Australian series created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, and produced by Liz Watts. It follows a woman who finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past to move forward. It’s described as a f*cked-up rom-com where the answer to “Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding: “Yes, there is. The problem is definitely you.”

The series comes from Universal Television,...

Exclusive: Australian streamer Stan has today unveiled a 25-strong slate, adding scripted titles from Matchbox Pictures and the producers behind Colin From Accounts, acquisitions from the UK and U.S. and a new version of Drag Race to its ranks.

Content from the likes of All3Media, AMC, Banijay, the BBC, Fremantle, ITV, Lionsgate, Universal Internatational Studios, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros Discovery is on the slate, which was showcased at the iconic Sydney Opera House as Stan’s latest salvo in Australia’s competitive streaming market.

Among the key scripted originals is Critical Incident, a psychological crime thriller from Matchbox, the Australian production subsidiary of Universal Studio Group-owned Universal International Studios. Written by Sarah Bassiuoni (The Secrets She Keeps), it recently completed production in Western Sydney, with major production investment from Screen Australia.

The six-part show depicts life in the Western suburbs of Sydney and delves into the complex...

Peacock announced the straight to series order of comedy Laid, starring and executive produced by Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu. The series is written and executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan (Totally Killer, Young Rock, Fresh Off the Boat, Always Be My Maybe) and Sally Bradford McKenna (Son of Zorn). Also executive producing are John Davis and John Fox for Davis Entertainment; Jennifer Carreras for Fierce Baby; Marieke Hardy, Kirsty Fisher, and Liz Watts for Porchlight Films; and All3Media International. The series comes from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and is based on the Australian series ‘Laid’ created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, produced by Liz ... Read more...

Stephanie Hsu is heading back to television in a brand new comedy series!

The 33-year-old Oscar nominated actress will lead the upcoming TV show Laid, which was given a straight to series order at Peacock.

In addition to starring, Stephanie will executive produce alongside EPs and writers Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s a synopsis: A woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward – Laid is a f**cked up rom-com where the answer to “Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding “Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.”

The upcoming new show is based on the Australian series of the same name, which was created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, and produced by Liz Watts,...

The latest Peacock comedy is putting quite the twist on the rom-com genre — which makes it sound like even more of a must-watch! The streaming service has announced a straight-to-series order for Laid, starring and executive produced by Stephanie Hsu. The comedy is written and also executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna. In Laid, “a woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward,” according to Peacock’s description. It “is a f**cked up rom-com where the answer to ‘Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?’ is a resounding ‘Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.'” The comedy is based on the Australian series of the same name created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher and produced by Liz Watts.

Peacock is getting into bed with Stephanie Hsu.

The streamer has handed a series order to Laid, a “f–cked up rom-com” starring the Everything Everywhere All at Once and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star.

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Written and exec-produced by Nahnatchka Khan (Fresh Off the Boat) and Sally Bradford McKenna (The Goldbergs), Laid centers on a woman (played...

Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to the comedy “Laid” with Stephanie Hsu attached to star, Variety has learned.

The series was first reported as being in development in June 2022. It hails from Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna. Based on the Australian series of the same name, the official logline for “Laid” states, “A woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward.”

Khan and Bradford McKenna serve as writers and executive producers, with Hsu also executive producing. Khan executive produces along with Jennifer Carreras under their Fierce Baby Productions banner. John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment also executive produce, as do Marieke Hardy, Kirsty Fisher, and Liz Watts for Porchlight Films. All3Media International is also an executive producer. Universal Television is the studio behind the series.

Hsu...

Peacock has given a series order to Laid, a comedy from Universal Television written and executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once‘s Stephanie Hsu will star in the series as well as executive produce.

Nahnatchka Khan, left, and Sally Bradford McKenna

Laid is based on the Australian created by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, produced by Liz Watts. It follows a woman who finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward. It’s described as a f*cked up rom-com where the answer to “Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding: “Yes, there is. The problem is definitely you.”

The series comes from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Also executive producing are...

Peacock is ready to get Laid.

The NBCUniversal-backed streamer has handed out a straight-to-series order for Laid, a comedy starring Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and from writers Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Khan (Young Rock, Always Be My Maybe) and McKenna (Son of Zorn) are writing and exec producing the series for Universal Television, where the former’s Fierce Baby is based with an overall deal.

Laid revolves around a woman who finds out that her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her “sex timeline” to confront her past in order to move forward. Peacock says Laid is a “f—ked up rom-com where the answer to ‘Why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?’ is a resounding ‘Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.’”

Laid is based on the Australian series of the...

Sales

Chris O’Dowd (“Puffin Rock”), Amy Huberman (“Derry Girls”), Beth McCafferty and Eva Whittaker (“Wolfwalkers”) lead the voice cast of “Puffin Rock and the New Friends,” the film based on the TV series “Puffin Rock.”

Following their collaboration on Oscar nominees “Song of the Sea” and “The Breadwinner,” WestEnd Films is teaming again with Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon and Northern Ireland’s Dog Ears on the film and is launching sales at Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM), where first footage will be shown to buyers.

“Puffin Rock and the New Friends” sees Oona, Baba, May and Mossy joined by a new characters Isabelle, Phoenix and Marvin. When the last Little Egg of the season disappears under mysterious circumstances, Oona and her new friends race against time to bring the Little Egg home before a big storm hits Puffin Rock and puts the entire island in danger.

The film...

Peacock is developing Laid, a comedy based on the Australian series of the same name, from Young Rock and Fresh Off The Boat creator Nahnatchka Khan, Son of Zorn showrunner Sally Bradford McKenna, Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist) and Universal TV, where Khan and Davis Entertainment are under deals.

Written by Khan and Bradford McKenna, in Laid, when a woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways, she must come to terms with her complicated past.

Khan and Bradford McKenna executive produce with John Davis and John Fox for Davis Entertainment, Liz Watts, Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher for Porchlight Films and Jennifer Carreras for Fierce Baby. Universal TV, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio, with Davis Entertainment, Khan’s Fierce Baby Productions, Porchlight Films and All3Media International as the production companies.

The Australian comedy series Laid, written by Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher, premiered...

Peacock is developing an American adaptation of the Australian comedy series “Laid” with Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna.

Khan and Bradford McKenna will serve as writers and executive producers on the project. It follows a woman who finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways. In investigating their deaths, she must come to terms with her complicated past.

Khan executive produces the show via Fierce Baby Productions along with Jennifer Carreras. John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment also executive produce along with Liz Watts, Marieke Hardy and Kirsty Fisher of Porchlight Films. Hardy and Fisher co-created the original series, with Watts producing. All3Media International will also produce. Universal Television is the studio. Fierce Baby is currently under a TV overall deal at Utv, as is Davis Entertainment.

The original “Laid” aired on Australia’s ABC1 from 2011-2012. It aired two seasons and 12 episodes. The show starred Alison Bell,...

School is in session for the young cast of Netflix’s Heartbreak High reboot, with production on the eight-part series underway in Sydney.

Ayesha Madon, James Majoos, Chloe Hayden, and Asher Yasbincek lead the new generation of students at Hartley High, with the teen drama set to premiere on the streamer in 2022.

Madon plays Amerie, a student who becomes the school pariah following a discovery that also causes a public rift with her ride-or-die Harper (Yasbincek). With her new friends – outsiders Quinni (Hayden) and Darren (Majoos) – Amerie must repair her reputation, while navigating love, sex, and heartbreak.

The cast is rounded out by Thomas Weatherall, Josh Heuston, Will McDonald, Gemma Chua-Tran, Rachel House, Chika Ikogwe, Sherry-Lee Watson, Bryn Chapman-Parish, and Brodie Townsend.

Creator Hannah Carroll Chapman writes alongside Matthew Whittet, Marieke Hardy, Meyne Wyatt, Thomas Wilson White, and Natesha Somasundaram, with Megan Palinkas serving as script producer.

Ayesha Madon, James Majoos,...

Sean Keenan and Ben O’Toole will play best friends turned bitter rivals in ABC surfing drama Barons, which has wrapped filming in Nsw.

Produced by Fremantle, Micanical Media, and 2Jons, the eight-part ’70s-set series follows a surf-crazed group of hippy friends whose desire for ultimate freedom and the perfect wave takes them from the beach to the boardroom as they build billion-dollar surf empires.

Keenan, fresh from roles in festival darlings Nitram and The Power of the Dog, plays Trotter opposite O’Toole, known for Halifax: Retribution and Amazing Grace, as Snapper. Jillian Nguyen takes on the role of Trotter’s wife and business partner, Tracy.

The supporting cast includes Hunter Page-Lochard, George Pullar, Lincoln Younes, Sophia Forrest, Vivienne Awosoga, Nicholas Burton, Karina Banno, newcomer Megan MacKenzie, Kick Gurry, Catherine Van-Davies, Alexander England, and British-American actress Ione Skye.

Directing the drama are Shawn Seet, Fadia Abboud, and Emmy award-winning surf director Taylor Steele,...

Business and the beach are set to collide in the ABC’s Barons, an eight-part ’70s-set surfing drama from Fremantle, Micanical Media and 2Jons, due to kick off later this year in Nsw.

The ABC has been developing the series, created by Micanical’s Michael Lawrence, 2Jon’s John Molloy and scribe Liz Doran, since 2019, confirming that it has taken it to commission today.

Shawn Seet and Emmy-Award winning surf director Taylor Steele will helm the drama, which has parallels to the Billabong and Quiksilver sagas.

Barons follows a group of surf-crazy hippy friends who turn their backs on the world in search of their ideal patch of surfing paradise.

Little do they know that their desire for ultimate freedom and the perfect wave, will take them from the beach to the boardroom, creating billion-dollar empires. But in selling their surfing dream to the world, these best friends will become...

Samara Weaving is heading to the Playboy Mansion.  The Ready or Not actress is set to portray Holly Madison in an upcoming limited series about the life of the late Hugh Hefner's former girlfriend and star of E! reality series The Girls Next Door, Sony confirmed to E! News.  The upcoming series is based on Madison's 2015 memoir Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny with Marieke Hardy adapting the tale described as looking "beyond the polished facade of the Playboy brand." The show will "depict the visceral, often deeply damaging stories of the women who entered following a dream and found...

In today’s TV news roundup, “South Park” is back with a new Covid-19 vaccine special, and Amazon Prime Video offered a first look at animated series “Invincible,” starring Steven Yeun.

Casting

The Feb. 22 episode of “The Good Doctor” will feature Southern California Special Olympics global messenger Caley Versfelt, Variety has learned exclusively. She portrays Jamie Chabner, a patient suffering from end-stage liver disease. Dr. Morgan Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) forms a special with Jamie and takes it upon herself to try to find a matching donor in time to save her life.

Dates

Starz announced “The Gloaming” will debut on March 21 at 9 p.m. Over eight episodes, detectives Molly McGee (Emma Booth) and Alex O’Connell (Ewen Leslie) endure a harrowing journey to find the truth about a woman who is brutally killed, but they end up coerced by the ghosts of the unsettled dead. The limited series, written by showrunner Victoria Madden,...

Sony Pictures TV is developing a limited series about former Playboy bunny-turned-reality TV star Holly Madison, with Samara Weaving attached to star.

The project, which does not yet have a network or streaming platform on board, is based on Madison’s 2015 memoir, “Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny.” Australian writer Marieke Hardy will write the screen adaptation, with Will Gluck, Richard Schwartz and Judith Verno on board as executive producers. Madison herself will also serve as an executive producer.

Here is the logline for the project: The story looks beyond the polished facade of the Playboy brand to depict the visceral, often deeply damaging stories of the women who entered following a dream and found themselves manipulated, controlled and abused by the machine.

Madison rose to fame after starring in the E! reality series “The Girls Next Door,” which followed Madison and...

Holly Madison’s bestselling memoir, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, is in the works for the small screen. Sony Pictures Television has optioned the tell-all book for development as a limited series with Samara Weaving (Hollywood) set to star as Madison. Australian writer Marieke Hardy (Laid) is attached to pen the adaptation and Madison will serve as an executive producer. Will Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment also will executive produce.

Down the Rabbit Hole looks beyond the polished facade of the Playboy brand to depict the visceral, often deeply damaging stories of the women who entered following a dream and found themselves manipulated, controlled, and abused by the machine.

The book spent multiple weeks at the top of The New York Times best seller list upon its release by Harper Collins in 2015 and was described by Buzzfeed as “a celebrity memoir...

SAG Award winner Samara Weaving is hopping into an exciting new role: Playboy Bunny.

The actress has signed on to play Holly Madison in Sony Pictures Television’s limited series based on Madison’s 2015 memoir Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, TVLine has learned. A network is not yet attached.

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Per the official logline,...

Sony is teaming with Holly Madison to bring her book, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, to television.

The independent studio has optioned the book and tapped Samara Weaving (Hollywood; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) to play Madison. A network is not yet attached, but the project, envisioned as a limited series, is expected to draw interest from premium cable and streaming outlets.

Australian writer Marieke Hardy (Laid) will adapt the book and pen the script. Sony TV-based Will Gluck (Easy A) and Richard Schwartz (Woke) and their Olive Bridge Entertainment banner will ...

Sony is teaming with Holly Madison to bring her book, Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, to television.

The independent studio has optioned the book and tapped Samara Weaving (Hollywood; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) to play Madison. A network is not yet attached, but the project, envisioned as a limited series, is expected to draw interest from premium cable and streaming outlets.

Australian writer Marieke Hardy (Laid) will adapt the book and pen the script. Sony TV-based Will Gluck (Easy A) and Richard Schwartz (Woke) and their Olive Bridge Entertainment banner will ...

Netflix and Germany’s Zdfe have co-commissioned a 10-episode teen surfing drama from Werner Film Productions, set to get underway in Victoria later this month.

Titled Surviving Summer, the series has been created by Joanna Werner and Josh Mapleston.

Sky Katz (Raven’s Home) stars as the titular character of Summer, a fierce Brooklyn teen who is sent Down Under to live with family friends in a tiny coastal town on the Great Ocean Road.

Starring alongside are Brazilian rising star João Gabriel Marinho (Malhação), Kai Lewins, Savannah La Rain and in her first foray into acting, five-time Queensland Junior State Surf Champion Lilliana Bowrey.

Surviving Summer is Werner Film Productions first young adult drama since Dance Academy, which screened in 165 countries, after producing a range of adult dramas including upcoming series The Newsreader and Riot.

Werner, who will both produce and EP with Stuart Menzies, said: “Surviving Summer has been...

Production begins this month on “Surviving Summer,” a teen-surfing drama series for Netflix and Zdf Enterprises. The show is produced by Werner Film Production, a three-time Emmy-nominated Australian firm headed by Joanna Werner.

Sky Katz (previously known as Skylar Katz) (Disney Channel’s “Raven’s Home”) stars as the titular character Summer, a fierce Brooklyn teen who is sent ‘Down Under’ to live with family friends in a coastal town on the Great Ocean Road. She stars alongside Brazilian rising star Joao Gabriel Marinho (“Malhacao”), Australia’s Kai Lewins (“Wild Boys”) and Savannah La Rain (“Content”). It also stars Lilliana Bowrey, a five-time Queensland junior state surf champion, making her first foray into acting.

The ten-part show will be shot at some of Australia’s most iconic surf beaches in Victoria.

It was created by Werner and Josh Mapleston (“Ready For This,” “Beat Bugs,” “Dance Academy”), and was written by Mapleston,...

Tania Chambers.

Years of perseverance in developing feature films and TV series with multiple collaborators are paying off for producer Tania Chambers.

The MD of Feisty Dame Productions is in the midst of financing How to Please a Woman and casting the co-lead of Time to Tango, a feature inspired by Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds’ short film Tango Underpants.

In addition, she is holding a writers’ room on a TV drama with such talent as Renée Webster, Miley Tunnecliffe and Kelly Lefever.

Webster is writing and will direct How to Please a Woman, a comedy-drama about a mature woman who must embrace her sexuality when her all-male house-cleaning business gets out of control.

Supported in development since 2016 by Screen Australia and Screenwest, the film has an Australian distributor and sales agent attached and the plan is to start shooting in Perth in March with funding from Screenwest’s West Coast Visions.

Vicki Madden and Vincent Sheehan en route to the launch of ‘The Kettering Incident’.

Screen Tasmania is supporting the development of 13 projects – a mix of feature films, comedy and drama series and factual – involving both experienced and emerging talent.

The $242,500 in additional project development funding is part of the Tasmanian Government’s cultural and creative industries stimulus package.

While the individual sums are modest, averaging $20,000, the funding round sheds light on some intriguing projects from such creatives as Vicki Madden, Fiona McConaghy, Elli Eliades, Jungle Entertainment, Good Thing Productions, Blur Films, Roar Films and Fredbird Entertainment.

Renewing their collaboration after Stan’s The Gloaming, Madden’s Sweet Potato Films and John Molloy’s 2 Jons are preparing Wireless Hill. The 8 x 1 hour drama follows 10 bright young scientists from around the world who are given the opportunity of a lifetime to study on the unique Macquarie Island.

They discover they are unwitting...

Vincent Sheehan, Liz Watts and Anita Sheehan.

After 23 years and a body of work that spans 15 features, five TV series, two docos and three shorts, Porchlight Films will cease operations as founding partners Vincent Sheehan, Liz Watts and Anita Sheehan move on to pursue new opportunities individually.

The company is best known internationally for producing three of David Michôd’s four features, including his Oscar-nominated debut, Animal Kingdom, as well as The Rover and Netflix’s The King.

Other notable film credits include Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang, Garth Davis’ Mary Magdalene, Rachel Perkins’ Jasper Jones, Tony Krawitz’ Jewboy and Dead Europe, Daniel Nettheim’s The Hunter, Tony Ayres’ The Home Song Stories and Walking on Water, Cate Shortland’s Lore, Rowan Woods’ Little Fish and David Caesar’s Mullet.

In television and episodic, the team have produced Foxtel drama The Kettering Incident, created by Vicki Madden...

Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe.

Screenwest has announced 11 projects will share in $156,000 of script development funding via its latest Small Screen Scripted Development round.

The fund is aimed at getting scripted television or web projects ready for market, and is split into two stages – the first being concept development, followed by series development

Two projects – yet to be announced – that were previously funded through stage one will move through to stage two this round.

Screenwest head of screen investment and strategic projects Matthew Horrocks said: The popularity of this initiative is growing. The progression of two projects funded in the inaugural round to stage two demonstrates the opportunity provided to really ensure scripts can undergo a rigorous development process and ultimately deliver high‐quality screen projects ready for market.”

Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe said: “Now, more than ever it is important to ensure the Wa screen sector is developing stories from a unique Western Australian perspective.

‘Stateless.’

The ABC’s 2020 programming slate unveiled today is packed with new documentaries and factual series – but there is a distinct air of déjà vu in the categories of drama and comedy.

No new commissions were announced in either genre, but that does not necessarily mean there will be fewer local dramas or comedies on screen next year, despite budget cutbacks.

Referring to the $84 million funding reduction over three years on top of cuts of $50 million a year since 2014, Michael Carrington, ABC director, entertainment and specialist, tells If: “To date, ABC management has found ongoing savings that will total about $17 million a year from next year.

“We’ve looked carefully at non-content related initiatives such as renegotiating third-party contracts. Management will also undertake reviews of our property portfolio and our acquisitions expenditure to assess where other savings may be made.

“It’s good progress but more needs to be done to meet our savings target.

Chris Oliver-Taylor and Liz Doran.

Fremantle, Micanical Media and 2Jons are teaming up for Barons, an international surfing drama for the ABC.

Created by Micanical’s Michael Lawrence and 2Jons’ John Molloy, the eight-part series is set in the 1970s and follows two surfers who become fierce rivals as they create billion-dollar empires, winning and losing themselves along the way.

Liz Doran leads the writing team which includes Matt Cameron and Marieke Hardy.

The project, which has clear parallels to the Billabong and Quiksilver sagas, is in advanced development and the producers aim to start pre-production by the end of the year and shoot in Australia, the Us and Indonesia in April-May.

Lawrence and Molloy secured a development deal with the ABC and partnered with Fremantle. “It will be a highly polished, bold, big budget drama,” Fremantle Asia Pacific CEO and executive producer Chris Oliver-Taylor tells If.

“It’s an...

Tegan Higginbotham.

Screen Australia is providing more than $400,000 in story development funding for 16 projects including feature films, television and online series, featuring such talent as Bruna Papandrea, Nick Verso, Priscilla Cameron, Lisa Shaunessy, Anthony Mullins, Kodie Bedford and Tegan Higginbotham.

The slate includes The Agency, a musical comedy about moral corruption in the advertising industry, comedic horror Gnomes centered on grudge-bearing garden gnomes in a fictional regional town, and the feature Misfit, which looks at a woman who suffers from an identity disorder.

Eleven projects were funded through the Generate fund, two via the Premium fund and three through the legacy development program which has been discontinued.

Head of development Nerida Moore said: “The new development guidelines have now been in action for five months. We drastically reduced eligibility barriers and will now fund projects for any screen platform. We’ve had a fantastic response from the industry and the...

A group of Australian actors, dancers, writers and comedians – including Charlotte Wood, Zoe Coombs Marr and Marieke Hardy as well as Pomeranz and Roxburgh – have joined a video campaign calling on Fairfax management to reconsider slashes to its arts coverage. The company has announced 125 jobs will be abolished, and it is believed that will include all dedicated arts, film and books writers at the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald

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Xavier Samuel and Andrea Demetriades in 'Seven Types of Ambiguity'..

New ABC miniseries.Seven Types of Ambiguity.will air April 13. All six episodes will be available on iview after the first episode is broadcast.

The Matchbox Pictures' drama stars Hugo Weaving, Xavier Samuel, Alex Dimitriades, Leeanna Walsman, Andrea Demetriades, Anthony Hayes and Susie Porter.

EPs on the show, which weaves together different perspectives on a child kidnapping, are Tony Ayres and Jacquelin Perske.

Ayres first read Elliot Perlman.s novel, on which the show is based, around five years ago, just after he'd finished up on.The Slap.

He was struck by the structural similarities between the two stories, while also noting the differences in the ways they had used the form.

.It was such a challenging and compelling book. I found it very rich and rewarding, frustrating and exciting,. Ayres said. .It was one of those big,...

Xavier Samuel and Andrea Demetriades in 'Seven Types of Ambiguity'..

New ABC miniseries.Seven Types of Ambiguity will air April 13. All six episodes will be available on iview after the first episode is broadcast.

The Matchbox Pictures' drama stars Hugo Weaving, Xavier Samuel, Alex Dimitriades, Leeanna Walsman, Andrea Demetriades, Anthony Hayes and Susie Porter.

EPs on the show, which weaves together different perspectives on a child kidnapping, are Tony Ayres and Jacquelin Perske.

Ayres first read Elliot Perlman.s novel, on which the show is based, around five years ago, just after he'd finished up on The Slap.

He was struck by the structural similarities between the two stories, while also noting the differences in the ways they had used the form.

.It was such a challenging and compelling book. I found it very rich and rewarding, frustrating and exciting,. Ayres said. .It was one of those big, ambitious...

Blue Murder: Killer Cop..

The Seven Network has revealed its programming slate for the coming 18 months. Among it are a number of new Australia dramas, including: Olivia Newton-John, Warnie, Hoges: The Paul Hogan Story and the anticipated Blue Murder: Killer Cop, which sees Richard Roxburgh reprise his role as Roger Rogerson.

The network has also confirmed that The Secret Daughter, Wanted and 800 Words will return in 2017.

Also new for Seven are Million Dollar Cold Case, Yummy Mummies, The Aussie Property Flippers and Murder Uncovered. The network has also touted a controversial new show.—..now being filmed under a veil of secrecy..—.which it claims will be the most talked about program of 2017.

Seven has confirmed reality mainstays.My Kitchen Rules, House Rules, First Dates and Seven Year Switch for new seasons.

New international titles secured by the network include Trial and Error and Training Day.

Seven.s...

Hugo Weaving as Dr Alex Klima.

Seven Types of Ambiguity, a six-part drama produced by Matchbox Pictures and set to air on the ABC, weaves together different perspectives of a child kidnapping, exploring the nature of love and relationships..

Matchbox.s Tony Ayres first read Elliot Perlman.s novel, on which the show is based, around five years ago, just after he'd finished up on The Slap.

He was struck by the structural similarities between the two stories, while also noting the differences in the ways they had used the form..

.It was such a challenging and compelling book. I found it very rich and rewarding, frustrating and exciting,. Ayres told If..

.It was one of those big, ambitious projects that entices you as a producer..

A six-part series shot in and around Melbourne, Ayres described.Seven Types of Ambiguity as .a relationship drama, wrapped in a mystery...

.I think...

Hugo Weaving as Dr Alex Klima.

Seven Types of Ambiguity, a six-part drama produced by Matchbox Pictures and set to air on the ABC, weaves together different perspectives of a child kidnapping, exploring the nature of love and relationships..

Matchbox.s Tony Ayres first read Elliot Perlman.s novel, on which the show is based, around five years ago, just after he'd finished up on The Slap.

He was struck by the structural similarities between the two stories, while also noting the differences in the ways they had used the form..

.It was such a challenging and compelling book. I found it very rich and rewarding, frustrating and exciting,. Ayres told If..

.It was one of those big, ambitious projects that entices you as a producer..

A six-part series shot in and around Melbourne, Ayres described.Seven Types of Ambiguity as .a relationship drama, wrapped in a mystery...

.I think...

John Cornell and Paul Hogan on The Paul Hogan Show.

Josh Lawson will play Paul Hogan in Hoges, Fremantle Media's mini for Channel Seven.

Joining Lawson are Justine Clarke as Hogan's partner Noelene and Ryan Corr as John Cornell, his best friend and manager.

Also starring are Laura Gordon (Ms Fisher.s Murder Mysteries) as Linda Kozlowski, Nikki Osborn (Granny Smith) as Delvene Delaney, Sean Keenan (Puberty Blues, Glitch) as Young Paul and Marny Kennedy (The Saddle Club) as Young Noelene.

.Paul Hogan has always been one of my heroes", Lawson said in a statement, "so this role is as exciting as it is challenging.".

"He.s such an iconic figure. Everyone loves Hoges and one of his great gifts was making audiences feel like we really knew him. But there.s so much of his life that many people don.t know about and I.m thrilled that...

Hugo Weaving as Dr Alex Klima in Seven Types of Ambiguity. Photo by Ben King.

Filming has started in Melbourne on Matchbox Pictures' six-part drama series Seven Types of Ambiguity for the ABC.

Based on a novel by Elliot Perlman, it stars Hugo Weaving, Xavier Samuel, Alex Dimitriades, Leeanna Walsman, Anthony Hayes, Andrea Demetriades and Susie Porter.

Seven Types of Ambiguity will be filmed on location in and around Melbourne and will air later this year on ABC TV.

Executive producers for Matchbox include Tony Ayres, Amanda Higgs and Jacquelin Perske.

The ABC executive producer is Christopher Gist and the producer is Amanda Higgs..

The series is a psychological mystery that explores the complicated emotional terrain of relationships and the risks people will go to in the name of love..

When seven-year-old Sam Marin is taken from school, his parents Anna (Leeanna Walsman) and Joe (Alex Dimitriades) are frantic.

The 88th Academy Awards are moving along, but wait - someone is missing! Where is Jennifer Lawrence?! That's what superfans of the Joy actress want to know. J.Law devotees were looking forward to another night of adorably clumsy trips, one-liners about food and some good celeb-to-celeb banter both on the red carpet and inside the Oscars. Instead, Lawrence arrived on the later side, skipped press and only posed for photos for a few minutes before heading inside. This brief glimpse of glamorous goofball wasn't enough for viewers, who went to Twitter with their concerns and demands for Lawrence. These folks want J.

Benjamin Law on the set of Sbs series The Family Law.

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Benjamin Law.s new six-part series The Family Law has put form to his hit memoir of the same name as he makes his first foray in television.

Co-written with friend and colleague Marieke Hardy, Law told If that bringing the highly personal memoir to the screen was less about what he felt and more about how his family felt.

.I have already written a book about them and now it.s. hey family! Now our lives are going to be on television,. he said.

.I have got this really amazing career turning point and you are involved. They were curious about what it would look like and once they read the script, they thought this is really funny..

The series is told through the eyes 14-year-old Benjamin Law over a long, hot, Queensland summer.

The.Family.Law.is...

Screen Australia and Screen Queensland have greenlit the upcoming Paul Hogan biographical project from FremantleMedia Australia for Channel Seven.

Screen Australia and Screen Queensland will provide "signfiicant" funding to The Paul Hogan project (working title), an intimate story of how an Aussie tradie from the wrong-side-of-the-tracks evolves into an Oscar-nominated superstar..

Kevin Carlin, whose work includes Wentworth and Seven.s upcoming miniseries Molly, will direct..

The script is by Keith Thompson (The Sapphires) and Marieke Hardy (Packed To The Rafters, The Family Law)..

FremantleMedia director of drama and executive producer, Jo Porter, has assembled the creative team, with shooting set to commence early next year.

Casting of the lead role is underway and highly contested, according to a Channel Seven statement.

Seven.s head of drama, Julie McGauran, said the The Paul Hogan project would be a celebration of a beloved icon.

"An Aussie battler with a larrikin heart who experienced an unexpected,...

The TV, film and Tvc production house formerly known as Jungleboys is making several emphatic affirmative action moves. Symbolically, the company.s title is now the gender neutral Jungle, reflecting the fact that 50% of the full-time staff is female.

The rechristening co-incides with three initiatives: the promotion of Chloe Rickard to partner and head of film and TV production; the launch of a female creative talent program in collaboration with Screen Nsw; and a commitment to employ at least one female in writing, directing or producing on every project. .The name Jungle is more representative of who we are now, and with our film and TV business incorporating in the Us, we should, at the very least, try to pretend to be grown-ups,. said MD Jason Burrows. One of the first hires at the company nine years ago, Rickard joins the co-founders Burrows, Trent O.Donnell and Phil Lloyd as partners.