Canadian-New Zealand actor Daniel Gillies (The Originals) and Philippa Northeast are set to bolster the bulletins of ABC’s The Newsreader as filming on season two begins in Melbourne.
They will join series regulars Anna Torv, Sam Reid, William McInnes, Robert Taylor, Michelle Lim Davidson, Stephen Peacocke, Chai Hansen, Chum Ehelepola, and Marg Downey in the six new episodes of the AACTA Award-winning drama, which take place a year on from the events of the first season.
Anchors Helen Norville (Torv) and Dale Jennings (Reid) are now established as ‘The Golden Couple of News’ and while they present a glowing image of success and romance to the outside world, the truth is more complex.
As 1987 rolls along, global stocks will soar and crash, Australia will prepare to celebrate its Bicentennial year, and Helen and Dale grapple with who they really want to be in life – and whether that path can be together.
Produced by Werner Film Productions, The Newsreader season two will be directed by executive producer Emma Freeman, with creator Michael Lucas joined in the writing room by Kim Ho, Niki Aken, Adrian Russell Wills, and story editor Debra Oswald.
Joanna Werner produces with Lucas and also executive produces with Freeman and Stuart Menzies, as well as the ABC’s Brett Sleigh and Sally Riley.
Lucas said it was “such a thrill” to have the full ‘News At Six’ team back in action.
“1987 and 1988 has provided us with an incredible canvas in terms of drama, music, fashion and, critically, hair-styling, and we’re delighted that our entire ensemble cast has returned for season two, with some fantastic new additions,” he said.
The first season of The Newsreader became ABC’s most-watched drama of 2021, securing a total average audience of 1.5 million across all linear and BVOD platforms, before being licensed to 80 territories.
Having teased the continuation of the series at March’s Screen Forever conference, Riley said she was delighted to be underway on the second season.
“The combination of real-life news events of the period and the extraordinary ensemble of characters within ‘News at Six’ resonated so strongly with our ABC audiences – we can’t wait to share another season with them in 2023,” she said.
Torv also said she “couldn’t be happier” with the direction of the series in season two.
The second season of The Newsreader has received major production investment from ABC and is financed with support from VicScreen. Worldwide distribution is managed by Entertainment One (eOne).
Season two will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2023.