Elias Anton as Danny Kelly
ABC TV has announced its new four-part drama series, Barracuda, starring Rachel Griffiths and Matt Nable, will air on Sunday nights leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Barracuda, directed by Robert Connelly, is set in Melbourne during 1996 as the golden age of Australian swimming begins.
A scholarship to an exclusive boys’ school brings 16-year-old Danny Kelly, played by newcomer Elias Anton, one step closer to his ultimate goal – winning Olympic gold.
Barracuda, based the book by award-winning novelist Christos Tsiolkas’, is a story about identity, obsession, desire, the dizzy heights of success and the terrifying risk of failure.
Initially, Danny struggles to find his place in the prestigious social circles of the private boys school. However, under the charge of highly regarded coach Frank Torma and a friendship/rivalry with teammate Martin Taylor, Danny is soon on track to become Australia’s youngest swimming champion, the unstoppable ‘Barracuda’.
Soon, everyone has a stake in Danny’s success and as he swims closer towards gold. He finds himself being drawn into a world where the only thing that matters is winning. When he gets his shot at victory, with all of Australia watching – can the ‘Barracuda’ live up to everyone’s expectations and realise his dream?
The show is a Matchbox Pictures production, produced by Tony Ayres and Amanda Higgs, with Tsiolkas as an associate producer.
ABC executive producers are Carole Sklan and Brett Sleigh, and writers are Blake Ayshford and Belinda Chayko.
The ABC and Screen Australia are presenting partners in association with Film Victoria.
The first episode will premiere on July 10 at 8.40pm. The full series will be available on iview after the premiere of episode 1.