The Hunting.
Asher Keddie and Richard Roxburgh will head the ensemble cast of SBS’s four-part drama The Hunting, which goes into production tomorrow in Adelaide.
Joining the two actors in the Closer Productions series are Sam Reid (Bloom, Lambs of God), Jessica De Gouw (Arrow, Deadline Gallipoli), Luca Sardelis (Nowhere Boys, Deadlock), Yazeed Daher (The Heights, Safe Harbour), Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Leah Vandenberg (The Letdown), Rodney Afif (Ali’s Wedding), Sachin Joab (Lion) Elena Carapetis (Look Both Ways), Anni Lindner (Wolf Creek TV) and newcomers Kavitha Anandasivam and Alex Cusack.
Created by Closer’s Sophie Hyde and Matthew Cormack, The Hunting (previously titled The Hunt) follows four teenagers, their teachers and families throughout the lead up, revelation and aftermath of a nude teen photo scandal. When two high school teachers discover students are sharing explicit photos of their underage friends and peers online, the revelation has unbearable consequences for the students and their families.
Cormack penned the scripts with Niki Aken, and Hyde will share directing duties with Ana Kokkinos, while also producing with Rebecca Summerton and Lisa Scott. Bonnie Elliott is the DOP, and Bryan Mason the editor.
Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) have invested in the series, with DCD Rights handling international sales. SAFC head of production, development, attraction and studios Amanda Duthie noted it is the first “network-commissioned primetime long-form drama” entirely created in South Australia and has 60 per cent female representation across cast and crew.
SBS director of television and online content Marshall Heald said: “SBS is committed to telling stories that spark debate and drive understanding about some of the uncomfortable and often untold realities impacting contemporary Australia. The Hunting joins SBS’s critically acclaimed slate of local dramas, including Safe Harbour, Sunshine and On The Ropes as an intense and compelling series that delves into what is arguably one of the biggest issues of our ‘social media era’ – cyberbullying.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the hugely talented team at Closer Productions, who bring their impressive film and television credentials to this new series.”
Hyde said: “With The Hunting we explore teens using technology within sexual context and reframe the conversation to be about trust and consent, considering how we are culturally responsible and exploring how we all navigate this. As co-creator and producer of the show I couldn’t be more delighted to work with our skilled, empathetic team and partners to tell this story, and to be joined in directing by Ana Kokkinos, a filmmaking hero of mine, who brings her considerable skills and talent to this vital work.”
The Hunting will premiere on SBS in 2019.