Latest news with #Screenwest
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Another TV series comes to Fremantle
Yet another TV series has commenced production in Fremantle, with confirmation Reckless, a BBC Studios Production for NITV and SBS, has begun filming in the port city. Leading the cast is WA's own Tasma Walton (The Twelve) who stars alongside AACTA Award-winner Hunter Page-Lochard (The Newsreader). They play feuding siblings forced to work together to get away with a hit-and-run accident that occurs in Fremantle. Reckless is an adaptation of the Scottish mystery thriller TV series Guilt, written by Neil Forsyth, which premiered on both BBC Two and BBC Scotland in 2019. It is being brought to Aussie screens by WA creative, EP and writer Kodie Bedford. 'From day one, I wanted to make a bold show with audacious characters that felt unapologetically Western Australian,' she said. 'I'm so bloody happy to be home telling this yarn with a team of creatives who have all shared the vision and taken it somewhere even wilder than I ever imagined.' Reckless sports a talented supporting cast. Credit: Supplied. Joining Walton and Lochard is a stacked cast, which includes Perth-raised stars, Jessica De Gouw (The Survivors), Steve Le Marquand (Mystery Road: Origin) and Clarence Ryan (Mystery Road: Origin). Jane Harber (Offspring), Tracy Mann (The Twelve), and WA-based Kath and Kim star Peter Rowsthorn also star, alongside Duncan Fellows (Deadloch), Perry Mooney (Population: 11), Paul Tassone (Pokerface) and Kelton Pell (Redfern Now). The production, which is supported by Screenwest, is one of several to take advantage of State Government investment through the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. Oscar Redding and George Mason star in a new Binge series also currently filming in Fremantle. Credit: John Platt. It is expected to inject more than $5 million into the WA economy, creating 250 jobs for local screen practitioners, and up to 20 WA cast speaking roles. 'This production continues a strong pipeline of television series being produced in WA showcasing the amazing creative talent we have in our State,' Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall said. Also currently filming in and around Fremantle is the newly announced Binge series based on the life of notorious WA criminal Brenden Abbott, aka The Postcard Bandit. Both projects are filming simultaneously, with crews spotted earlier this week at the Fremantle Prison and at Leighton Beach.
West Australian
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
BBC TV series Reckless currently filming in Fremantle
Yet another TV series has commenced production in Fremantle, with confirmation Reckless, a BBC Studios Production for NITV and SBS, has begun filming in the port city. Leading the cast is WA's own Tasma Walton (The Twelve) who stars alongside AACTA Award-winner Hunter Page-Lochard (The Newsreader). They play feuding siblings forced to work together to get away with a hit-and-run accident that occurs in Fremantle. Reckless is an adaptation of the Scottish mystery thriller TV series Guilt, written by Neil Forsyth, which premiered on both BBC Two and BBC Scotland in 2019. It is being brought to Aussie screens by WA creative, EP and writer Kodie Bedford. 'From day one, I wanted to make a bold show with audacious characters that felt unapologetically Western Australian,' she said. 'I'm so bloody happy to be home telling this yarn with a team of creatives who have all shared the vision and taken it somewhere even wilder than I ever imagined.' Joining Walton and Lochard is a stacked cast, which includes Perth-raised stars, Jessica De Gouw (The Survivors), Steve Le Marquand (Mystery Road: Origin) and Clarence Ryan (Mystery Road: Origin). Jane Harber (Offspring), Tracy Mann (The Twelve), and WA-based Kath and Kim star Peter Rowsthorn also star, alongside Duncan Fellows (Deadloch), Perry Mooney (Population: 11), Paul Tassone (Pokerface) and Kelton Pell (Redfern Now). The production, which is supported by Screenwest, is one of several to take advantage of State Government investment through the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. It is expected to inject more than $5 million into the WA economy, creating 250 jobs for local screen practitioners, and up to 20 WA cast speaking roles. 'This production continues a strong pipeline of television series being produced in WA showcasing the amazing creative talent we have in our State,' Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall said. Also currently filming in and around Fremantle is the newly announced Binge series based on the life of notorious WA criminal Brenden Abbott, aka The Postcard Bandit. Both projects are filming simultaneously, with crews spotted earlier this week at the Fremantle Prison and at Leighton Beach.
ITV News
a day ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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.'
