Production has begun in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on the new ABC series Plum, an adaptation of Brendan Cowell’s 2021 novel.
Cowell has created and written the series, and leads the cast with Asher Keddie.
The six-part drama, produced by Roadshow Rough Diamond and Modern Convict Films, follows Peter ‘The Plum’ Lum (Cowell), a 49-year-old national football treasure who lives with his son Gavin (Vincent Miller) and girlfriend Charmaine (María Dupláa) in Cronulla.
It looks like Plum is living the dream until he discovers he has a brain disorder as a result of the hundreds of head knocks and concussions he suffered on the field. The new diagnosis doesn’t receive its intended effect, as Plum would sooner hide, run, and head to the pub for drinks with the boys and pretend everything is peaches. But hiding from the truth isn’t easy when your ex-wife (Keddie) cares too much and your son comes to realise the father he worships is falling off his mantle and the game they love might be to blame.
The cast also includes Susie Porter, Jemaine Clement, Charlotte Friels, Crystal Nguyen, Talijah Blackman-Corowa, Andy Ryan, Janet Anderson, John Tui and Jenni Baird.
The series is co-written by Fiona Seres, with Wayne Blair and Margie Beattie directing.
John Edwards, Dan Edwards, and Jonathan Duncan produce, with Cowell and the ABC’s Louise Smith executive producers.
Plum is backed by major production investment from Screen Australia, and financed with support from Screen NSW. Entertainment One is handling worldwide distribution.
Cowell said he couldn’t wait to share the screen version of his story.
“Plum is about my two favourite things; sport and poetry,” he said.
“Crafting this tale for the screen, about a scared man trying to change before it is too late, bears a deep connection for me.”
ABC head of scripted Rachel Okine described Plum as a “truthful, touching and humorous” adaptation of Cowell’s story.
“Our partners at Roadshow Rough Diamond and Modern Convict Films have brought together a powerhouse creative team to bring this project to life,” she said.
Plum will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2025.