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BBC Three nabs Barracuda

Barracuda.

BBC Three has acquired Aussie drama Barracuda from Matchbox's parent company NBCUniversal International Distribution. The 4×60 series will be available on BBC Three and on BBC Three’s iPlayer later this year.

Based on the book by Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap), Barracuda was written by Blake Ayshford (Devil’s Playground, Cut Snake) and Belinda Chayko (Secret City) and directed by Robert Connolly (Paper Planes, Balibo, Three Dollars, The Bank).

Head of Programme Acquisition at the BBC, Sue Deeks, called Barracuda "a compelling, complex and emotional drama – beautifully filmed and performed,” while Controller of BBC Three Damian Kavanagh said the show "fits the [BBC Three] mould" in "offering drama that that covers issues that matter to young people".

MD of Matchbox Pictures Chris Oliver-Taylor said: "We are immensely proud of Barracuda. The series unearths some young, new and seriously superb acting talents and also sees some brilliant directing from Robert Connolly. This is the second collaboration between Tony Ayres, Christos Tsiolkas and the ABC [after The Slap in 2011] and it really shines on the screen.”

Barracuda is produced by Tony Ayres and Amanda Higgs for Matchbox Pictures, in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Screen Australia and Film Victoria.