An all-star cast start filming next month on the new ABC TV six-part drama series Bed of Roses.
Kerry Armstrong (MDA, Oyster Farmer, Lantana) and Julia Blake (Aquamarine, Human Touch, Innocence) team up as mother and daughter in this contemporary series that takes us on a dramatic, bumpy and often very amusing journey of a woman who has to start life anew.
Bed of Roses also features Jay Laga’aia (McLeod’s Daughters, Playschool, All Saints, Star Wars II and III), Caroline Gillmer (MDA, Neighbours, Halifax f.p), Kaarin Fairfax (Fergus McPhail, Kath & Kim, SeaChange) and relative newcomers HaiHai Le (Kick) and Hanna Mangan-Lawrence (Acolytes).
Louisa Atherton (Kerry Armstrong) is 49-years-old and to date has lived a privileged and superficial life. When her wealthy husband Jack drops dead in the arms of another woman, Louisa thinks things can’t get worse – until she discovers that he’s left her bankrupt. Louisa is forced to go back to her tiny home town, Rainbow’s End, with her tail between her legs. As she re-negotiates her relationships with her prickly mother Minna (Julia Blake) and recalcitrant kids, she learns to understand herself for the first time in her life. Louisa also comes to realise that her small town’s history will play a vital role in her future.
ABC TV’s Head of Drama, Miranda Dear said ‘With credits that include Kath & Kim and The Games, Mark Ruse is no stranger to ABC TV, and together with his producing partner Stephen Luby (Crackerjack) he has assembled a wonderful team to bring this delightful story to life. We couldn’t be happier to have the incomparable Kerry Armstrong working with the ABC again.’
Ruby Entertainment producers Mark Ruse and Stephen Luby said, ‘In Louisa Atherton, writers Jutta Goetze and Elizabeth Coleman have created a character full of complexity, charm and gentle humour. We are so pleased to have Kerry Armstrong on board to play Louisa. Kerry will bring to this story a spark and an authenticity that is bound to touch audiences across the age spectrum.’
Directed by Paul Moloney (Crackerjack, SeaChange) and Mandy Smith (Silversun, Saddle Club, SeaChange), Bed of Roses will be shot in HD and filmed over eight weeks in regional Victoria and in Melbourne.
The series is a co-production between ABC TV, Southern Star and Ruby Entertainment and developed with the assistance of Film Victoria. Filming will begin in Melbourne on Monday 8 October.
[release from ABC TV]