Latest news with #TheSurvivors
ITV News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
BINGE commissions Australian scripted series based on infamous bank robber Brenden Abbott
BINGE today announced the commission of a new Australian scripted series based on the infamous Australian bank robber, Brenden Abbott (AKA 'the Postcard Bandit'). In the 1980s Abbott became a household name, committing a string of bank robberies and evading police, eventually being arrested, convicted and successfully escaping custody - twice. With the exception of inmates convicted of murder, Abbott is currently the longest serving prisoner in Australia. A propulsive, high-octane, 1980/90s crime drama, the 6 x 1-hour scripted series (as yet untitled) is inspired by the true story of 'The Postcard Bandit' and follows Abbott as a master criminal on the run, eluding police and escaping maximum security prison. Traversing Australia's colourful and unruly past, the series lifts the balaclava on the nation's most successful and ingenious bank robber. George Mason (The Power of the Dog, The Survivors) leads the cast as Brenden Abbott, with Robyn Malcolm (After The Party, The Survivors), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel, Long Bright River, Hounds of Love), and Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street, The Flash) starring alongside him. Each portrays a pivotal figure in Abbott's turbulent life and the law enforcement network determined to bring him down. The ensemble cast includes David Howell (Narrow Road to the Deep North, Strife), Mia Artemis (Sweet Tooth, The Secrets She Keeps), Christian Byers (Bump, The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Roxie Mohebbi (He Had It Coming, Critical Incident), Oscar Redding (Top of the Lake, The Twelve), Anthony Hayes (Mystery Road, Gold, The Twelve), and Jayden Popik (Mystery Road, A Perfect Pairing). With cameras now rolling in Western Australia, the series promises a gripping, character-driven take on one of the country's most legendary criminal sagas. Commissioned by Foxtel Group, produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) Australia, the series is made with major production investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. The series will be produced in association with, and distributed by, ITV Studios. According to Screenwest, the series is expected to attract a spend of more than $7 million into the WA economy, and the production will employ at least 80 Western Australian crew and 80 WA cast with speaking roles, as well as 400 extras. Ben Young (Hounds of Love, The Twelve) and Bonnie Moir (Exposure, Love Me) are directing, with Young also serving as executive producer. Hamish Lewis (How to Make Gravy, The Twelve) is producing, alongside series producer Matt Noonan (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Beyond Goodbye), with Michael Brooks (The Twelve, How to Make Gravy) as Executive Producer alongside Lana Greenhalgh and Penny Win as Commissioners and Executive Producers. The writing team is led by writer and script producer Sarah Walker (The Secrets She Keeps, The Twelve), alongside Matt Cameron (The Clearing, Jack Irish) and writers Scout Cripps and Anthony Hayes. Lana Greenhalgh, Executive Producer and Director of Scripted Originals, Foxtel Group, said: 'The misadventures of the elusive Brenden Abbott is as Australian as it gets and we're proud to be partnering with the team at WBITVP Australia to bring this legendary Aussie story to screen. We're thrilled to have cameras now rolling in WA where the story started nearly 40 years ago.' Rikki Lea Bestall, Chief Executive Officer, Screenwest, said: "We are pleased to welcome BINGE and WBITVP Australia back to Western Australia for their upcoming scripted series. The production shows the growing momentum in our screen industry and reinforces our growing reputation as a destination for high-quality screen production. We look forward to seeing the talented cast and crew bring this story to life here in Western Australia." Hamish Lewis, Head of Scripted at WBITVP Australia said: 'We're pumped to be back in Western Australia working with Foxtel and Screenwest again. This is a truly incredible story, too good not to be told. It's the story of extreme resilience, determination and family – with a wild backdrop of '80s and '90s Australia. We can't wait for the world to see this!' Ben Young, Director and Executive Producer said: 'This story's got everything I love in TV – action, love, violence and complex emotional relationships. If it didn't happen, you wouldn't believe it. After a great experience working with BINGE and WBITVP Australia on The Twelve, I was stoked they felt the same way about this wild ride as I did.' Production credit: Based on "Australian Outlaw - The True Story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott" by Derek Pedley the 6 x 1-hour drama series is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia for the Foxtel Group, with major production investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. The series will be produced in association with, and distributed by, ITV Studios. Producer is Hamish Lewis alongside Series Producer Matt Noonan and Executive Producers Michael Brooks, Ben Young, Lana Greenhalgh and Penny Win. Directors Ben Young and Bonnie Moir. Written by Sarah L. Walker alongside Matt Cameron, Scout Cripps and Anthony Hayes.
West Australian
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
New TV series: ‘Postcard Bandit' shows life of WA bank robber Brenden Abbott currently shooting in Fremantle
Cameras are rolling in Fremantle for a new series about notorious WA bank robber, Brenden Abbott, aka the Postcard Bandit. Abbott is currently serving time in Casuarina Prison for crimes he committed more than three decades ago. Based on Australian Outlaw — The True Story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott by Derek Pedley, the as-yet-unnamed series, coming to Binge and starring George Mason as Abbott, will mark the second time the convicted robber's story has been told on the small screen, following a 2003 TV movie starring Tom Long. 'We're thrilled to have cameras now rolling in WA where the story started nearly 40 years ago,' Lana Greenhalgh, executive producer and director of scripted originals Foxtel Group, said. Abbott became a household name in the 1980s after committing a string of bank robberies and successfully evading police. He is reported to have stolen and hidden millions of dollars, and was dubbed the Postcard Bandit by police, due to postcards he sent law enforcement while on the run. Abbott was eventually arrested, convicted and successfully escaped custody twice. With the exception of inmates convicted of murder, Abbott is currently the longest serving prisoner in Australia and will be eligible for parole in 2026. The production, a scripted series of six one-hour episodes, is shooting in and around Fremantle, with cameras spotted filming around the periphery of the old Fremantle Prison on Monday. The series, described as a 'propulsive, high-octane, 1980/90s crime drama' sports a stellar lead cast, with Robyn Malcolm (The Survivors), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel), and Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street) joining Mason in pivotal roles. The ensemble cast includes David Howell (Narrow Road to the Deep North), Mia Artemis (Sweet Tooth), Christian Byers (Bump), Roxie Mohebbi (He Had It Coming), Oscar Redding (The Twelve), Anthony Hayes (Mystery Road) and Jayden Popik (Mystery Road). According to Screenwest, the series is expected to attract a spend of more than $7 million into the WA economy, and the production will employ at least 80 West Australian crew and 80 WA cast with speaking roles, as well as 400 extras. 'The production shows the growing momentum in our screen industry and reinforces our growing reputation as a destination for high-quality screen production,' Screenwest chief executive Rikki Lea Bestall said. Ben Young (Hounds of Love, The Twelve) and Bonnie Moir (Exposure, Love Me,) are directing, with Young also serving as executive producer. Hamish Lewis, head of scripted at WBITVP Australia said: 'We're pumped to be back in Western Australia working with Foxtel and Screenwest again. 'This is a truly incredible story, too good not to be told. 'It's the story of extreme resilience, determination and family — with a wild backdrop of 80s and 90s Australia.'
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Brenden Abbott's criminal past immortalised in new series
Cameras are rolling in Fremantle for a new series about notorious WA bank robber, Brenden Abbott, aka the Postcard Bandit. Abbott is currently serving time in Casuarina Prison for crimes he committed more than three decades ago. Based on Australian Outlaw — The True Story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott by Derek Pedley, the as-yet-unnamed series, coming to Binge and starring George Mason as Abbott, will mark the second time the convicted robber's story has been told on the small screen, following a 2003 TV movie starring Tom Long. 'We're thrilled to have cameras now rolling in WA where the story started nearly 40 years ago,' Lana Greenhalgh, executive producer and director of scripted originals Foxtel Group, said. Abbott became a household name in the 1980s after committing a string of bank robberies and successfully evading police. He is reported to have stolen and hidden millions of dollars, and was dubbed the Postcard Bandit by police, due to postcards he sent law enforcement while on the run. Involved in the production are, back: Rikki Lea Bestall, CEO Screenwest, John Driscoll, board chair Screenwest, Hamish Lewis, head of scripted Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Lana Greenhalgh director of scripted originals Foxtel Group; front: Bonnie Moir, director, Ben Young, director and executive producer. Credit: Liang Xu Abbott was eventually arrested, convicted and successfully escaped custody twice. With the exception of inmates convicted of murder, Abbott is currently the longest serving prisoner in Australia and will be eligible for parole in 2026. The production, a scripted series of six one-hour episodes, is shooting in and around Fremantle, with cameras spotted filming around the periphery of the old Fremantle Prison on Monday. The series, described as a 'propulsive, high-octane, 1980/90s crime drama' sports a stellar lead cast, with Robyn Malcolm (The Survivors), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel), and Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street) joining Mason in pivotal roles. The ensemble cast includes David Howell (Narrow Road to the Deep North), Mia Artemis (Sweet Tooth), Christian Byers (Bump), Roxie Mohebbi (He Had It Coming), Oscar Redding (The Twelve), Anthony Hayes (Mystery Road) and Jayden Popik (Mystery Road). Brenden Abbott. Credit: Unknown / Supplied by Subject According to Screenwest, the series is expected to attract a spend of more than $7 million into the WA economy, and the production will employ at least 80 West Australian crew and 80 WA cast with speaking roles, as well as 400 extras. 'The production shows the growing momentum in our screen industry and reinforces our growing reputation as a destination for high-quality screen production,' Screenwest chief executive Rikki Lea Bestall said. Ben Young (Hounds of Love, The Twelve) and Bonnie Moir (Exposure, Love Me,) are directing, with Young also serving as executive producer. Hamish Lewis, head of scripted at WBITVP Australia said: 'We're pumped to be back in Western Australia working with Foxtel and Screenwest again. 'This is a truly incredible story, too good not to be told. 'It's the story of extreme resilience, determination and family — with a wild backdrop of 80s and 90s Australia.'
ABC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
The Survivors, the Netflix series from The Dry author Jane Harper, lives up to the hype
By all outward appearances, The Survivors is just another cliché of its genre. What: An Australian murder-mystery adapted from Jane Harper's bestselling novel. Directed by: Tony Ayres Starring: Charlie Vickers, Yerin Ha, Robyn Malcolm, Damien Garvey, Thom Green, Shannon Berry, Catherine McClements, Miriama Smith, Don Hany. When: On Netflix now Likely to make you feel: Gripped (and craving a holiday in Tassie). In a small town full of buried secrets, everyone becomes a suspect when a young woman's body washes up on the beach. As its director Tony Ayres explains, the show's very premise puts it at risk of 'the worst version' of murder mystery: "Dead girl entertainment." 'Often, women being murdered feels more consequential as a story,' he told The Screen Show's Jason di Rosso. For him, the only way to approach this trope was to delve further. "It's not as though women being murdered is not something that happens every week in Australia. It's not as though it's not a reality," he said. "The best version of this [story] asks: why does this happen?" In his six-part series — adapted from the bestselling novel by Jane Harper and now released on Netflix — this question is explored in a uniquely Australian setting, as a town of "good blokes" and their women, "true locals" and outsiders are thrust under the spotlight. The Survivors is set in the fictional Tasmanian tourist town of Evelyn Bay, where tight-knit locals are still mourning the two young men who died in a freak storm 15 years earlier. Finn and Toby were top blokes in a stereotypically Australian understanding of the term: they looked out for their mates; they loved a banter over a beer; and they were good at footy. But Evelyn Bay has all but forgotten Gabby, the young girl who also went missing that day, and they dismiss her grieving mother as a hysterical nutcase. When Kieran Elliott (Charlie Vickers) returns to his hometown with his young baby in tow, he's constantly reminded by the town – and particularly by his mother – that those men, one of whom was his brother, drowned trying to save him. His wife Mia (Yerin Ha) grew up as one of the only Asian-Australians in Evelyn Bay, and became even more of an outsider when her best friend Gabby went missing that day. As Kieran and Mia endure their frosty homecoming, another woman is found washed up on the beach, and this time the town can't look away. It's easy for local crime to feel a little cliched, but The Survivors flows so naturally it almost feels like a true crime piece. For Ayres, it was important to twist the "dead girls" narrative into a story that felt "useful and reflective, that generates conversation, rather than [present it] in a way which is just kind of packaged". And the women of The Survivors are far from victims. Both of the mystery girls feel like fully fledged characters, while the women who call Evelyn Bay home display determination and nuance throughout. Particularly impressive is Robyn Malcolm as Kieran's mum Verity, who's lost one son and blames another for his death. At once a terrifying force and earnestly vulnerable, she is deeply protective of her town, its conventions and the men who inhabit it. Verity's tense relationship with her daughter-in-law contrasts with her infatuation with her new granddaughter, and their classic dynamic is deepened by their cultural differences. "As a child from an Asian background, you are never supposed to speak up against your elders," Ayres explains. "So when Mia first enters the story, she is very polite … but you can see a steeliness underneath that." Her patience with her mother-in-law eventually dissolves into a "rip roaring fight" by episode four, which Ayres says was one of his personal highlights of the series. Evelyn Bay is a town that fiercely protects its own, but brutally excludes and intimidates those who don't quite fit in. Locals are quick to blame a backpacker from South America (no-one seems to quite know which country) for the recent murder, and a tree-changer from the mainland who isn't quite blokey enough (he wears a cardigan) is also viewed with distrust, his property vandalised. While Ayres was cautious about "banging the audience on the head" with it, running through the show's core is an undercurrent of Australian mateship and masculinity gone wrong. "I don't think you can make a TV series in 2025 where two young women die without in some way reflecting on the preconditions of why that happens," he says. "And certainly it's a theme that's very resonant in Australian society: why do men commit so many acts of violence against women?" The impact of all this on men is explored too, as they bottle up their grief and emotion and replace it with anger, blame and violence. Particularly moving is the portrait of Kieran's father Brian (Damien Garvey). After a full life as "a legend" with the "biggest pair of balls in the bay", Brian's now beset with early onset dementia, and relies on his wife to be his carer. The Survivors is full of staggeringly beautiful shots of the Tasmanian coastline, tough-talking detectives and plenty of twists and turns. But it's also a small-scale story of grief, growth, family and relationships, as the parents of Evelyn Bay begin to ask themselves: "Were we wrong about our sons?" "Why did we make them squash all those lovely kind pieces of themselves, into something that we thought they should be," Verity wonders in the show's finale. "What did we turn them into?"
Sydney Morning Herald
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Powerful acting keeps Netflix's Australian coastal crime drama from sinking
The Survivors ★★★ Created by prolific screenwriter/director/producer Tony Ayres, this crime drama is based on the novel of the same name by the equally prolific Jane Harper (The Dry). The story takes place in – you won't believe it – a small town where everyone knows each other's business, and many members of the tight-knit community have long-held secrets. Unlike The Dry though, things are very wet in The Survivors; the setting is the fictional Evelyn Bay, a coastal town in Tasmania where everyone's lives revolve around the water – fishing, diving, tourist sightseeing boats. Kieran Elliot (Charlie Vickers, last seen in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) is returning to Evelyn Bay for the first time 15 years, with his partner Mia (Bridgerton 's Yerin Ha), who also grew up there, and their newborn daughter. They've come to help out Kieran's parents, Brian (Damien Garvey) and Verity (the never less than astounding Robyn Malcolm), who are dealing with Brian's worsening dementia. Verity collects Kieran and Mia from the airport and is passive-aggressive to both of them from the outset. The reason for her tepid welcome is soon revealed: 15 years earlier, Kieran's brother Finn (Remy Kidd) and his friend Toby (Talon Hopper) both drowned while trying to save Kieran who, despite his intimate knowledge of the landscape and the tides, found himself trapped in a local cave as it filled with water during a freak storm. We're shown the incident in flashbacks, including the aftermath of Kieran in hospital as Verity blames him for his brother's death, while Brian tries to calm her down. Clearly that didn't work, as Kieran fled for the mainland as soon as he could. But now he's back, and somewhat surprised that it's in time for the anniversary of the accident, which is to be commemorated with a special footy match. But his old mates Ash (George Mason) and Sean (Thom Green) welcome him back, even though Ash is now paired up with Kieran's ex, Liv (Jessica De Gouw), and others in town are less than thrilled. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but it's not as complicated as it might sound, I promise. Well, until a body washes up on the beach and the town is again rocked by tragedy. And paranoia. It's revealed the body is that of out-of-towner Bronte (Shannon Berry), who has been delving into the disappearance of Gabby (Eloise Rothfield), a young woman who also went missing during the storm 15 years earlier, but whose death has been overshadowed by those of the boys. Like Verity, Gabby's mother (Catherine McClements) is a broken woman.
