Rodger Corser and Asher Keddie
Adam Zwar, Angus Sampson, Colin Moody, Kaiya Jones, Oliver Ackland and Doris Younane have joined the cast of Party Tricks, the Network Ten drama now shooting in Melbourne.
Michael Lucas (Offspring, Not Suitable for Children) created the 6-part series which stars Asher Keddie as Premier Kate Ballard, whose campaign to be re-elected is upset when popular TV and radio personality David McLeod (Rodger Corser) is drafted in as the Opposition’s candidate.
It turns out Kate and David had a secret, tumultuous affair several years earlier. Party Tricks becomes a cat-and-mouse game which culminates in an election night finale.
Imogen Banks and John Edwards are producing for Endemol Australia, co-funded by Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Endemol Worldwide Distribution is distributing internationally.
Zwar (The Agony of Life, Rush) plays Trevor Bailey, the deputy Opposition leader. Sampson (Paper Giants: Magazine Wars, Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War) is Wayne Duffy, Kate's press secretary. Moody (Something In The Air) is her husband Geoff Ballard. Jones (The Saddle Club, Neighbours) is David's daughter Matilda McLeod. Oliver Ackland (Cloudstreet, The Slap) is state political reporter Tom Worland and Doris Younane (Rake, Fat Tony & Co.) is Paula Doumani, the Deputy Premier.
Also cast are emerging new talent Charlie Garber as Oliver Parkham, Kate's speechwriter, and Ash Ricardo as Charlotte Wynn, McLeod's campaign manager.
“Party Tricks is smart, sexy and, most importantly, a wildly entertaining ride. It is possible we will never look at our leaders the same way again,” said Network Ten head of drama Rick Maier.
Banks said: “We're grateful to the country's politicians for living a reality that is far stranger than anything we could dream up. But it’s our enormous pleasure to try.”