Fans of Seven’s A Place to Call Home can breathe a sigh of relief. After Channel 7’s shock announcement earlier in the year that the popular romantic drama would not be returning for a third season, the show has been commissioned by Foxtel.
To be produced by Seven Productions, the show will be made exclusively for Foxtel, who have already made an order for two more seasons. It will premiere on Foxtel’s SoHo drama channel next year.
The agreement was announced this morning by Foxtel Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, and Seven’s Network Director of Production, Brad Lyons.
In a statement released to the media, Walsh said: "A Place to Call Home is Australia’s most loved drama series and has captured the hearts of millions of fans across the country. We are proud to partner with the Seven Network on this landmark deal and ensure that audiences can continue to enjoy this beautifully crafted and elegantly produced series for a further two seasons.
“The Seven Network has produced Australian television’s most successful drama series of all time and we are delighted to partner with the highly experienced creative team at Seven, who will now work their magic for Foxtel subscribers.”
Added Lyons: “This is a terrific signing. All of us are proud of A Place to Call Home and its success. Today’s agreement is great for Seven Productions and it is also a tremendous signing for the cast and crew of the programme and the millions of people who love the programme.”
The news will no doubt be welcomed by fans of the drama, many of whom lashed out when the announcement was made to discontinue the series. An online petition was also launched in a bid to save the series and attracted over 10,000 signatures.
A Place to Call Home was created by Bevan Lee (Packed to the Rafters, Winners and Losers) and follows the lives of the wealthy Bligh family. Set in the 1950’s, it has been described as the “Australian Downton Abbey” and stars Marta Dusseldorp and Noni Hazlehurst.
Development on the new third season will begin shortly.