Offspring actor Matthew Le Nevez is set to star in the new Endemol Shine production for Network Ten – Brock.
Le Nevez will bring to life the story of one of Australia’s greatest and most complex sporting heroes, Peter Brock.
The cast will also include Ella Scott Lynch as Bev Brock, Steve Bisley as Harry Firth and Natalie Bassingthwaite as Julie Bamford.
Le Nevez, best known for his role as Dr Patrick Reid in the multi-award winning drama Offspring, is no stranger to portraying real-life individuals.
He has already played Matthew Wales in the critically acclaimed The Society Murders, Australian cricket legend Dennis Lillee in Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War and Damien Parer in Parer’s War.
Le Nevez said it was a privilege to be involved in the Brock project.
"Growing up as a kid, I watched Peter conquer the mountain many times and now to be playing him, I am extremely excited," he said.
"I hope to honour the man, his family, and his legacy. He is an Aussie icon like no other.”
Ella Scott Lynch, who has starred in Home and Away, All Saints, Janet King and Love Child, will play Bev Brock, Brock’s partner of more than 28 years and mother of his two children, Robert and Alexandra.
Bisley, whose many television credits include Sea Patrol, Water Rats and Police Rescue, takes on the role of Brock’s friend and team manager, Harry Firth.
Firth first recruited Brock to drive in the Holden Driving Team in 1969 and three years later saw Brock win the first of his nine Bathurst 500/1000 crowns.
Bassingthwaite will play Julie Bamford, Brock’s girlfriend when he died. Production will start shortly.
Network Ten Head of Drama, Rick Maier, said it was the true story of one of Australia's favourite sons.
"Peter Brock. Legend. A man who was a hero to a generation of Australians," he said. "He was loved and admired by many, but few knew the real Peter Brock.
“He made his name on the track, winning Bathurst 500/1000 nine times, but it was his life off the track that earned him the nickname ‘Not so Perfect Peter’.
"He was complex, troubled and full of self-doubt. An enigma. He was also a champion.
“Attention to detail on Brock has been second to none and now, with this brilliant cast attached, this production is ready to hit the track,” he said.
Endemol Shine Australia chief executive, Mark Fennessy, said: “We’re extremely proud to confirm such an extraordinary and talented cast for this profound and unique Australian story. This really is big event television at its very best.”