Shooting has commenced on ABC1 series Redfern Now. The six-part series from Blackfella Films (Mabo, First Australians) will spend the next three months filming in and around Sydney.
The series, which is directed by Rachel Perkins (Bran Nue Dae), Catriona McKenzie (Satellite Boy), Wayne Blair (The Sapphires) and Leah Purcell (Black Chicks Talking) tells the stories of six inner city households whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. It is the first drama project from the ABC's Indigenous Department to go into production.
The cast includes Deborah Mailman (Mabo), Dean Daley-Jones (Mad Bastards), Jimi Bani (Mabo) and newcomers Miranda Tapsell and Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires).
UK scriptwriter Jimmy McGovern (Accused, The Streets) collaborated with a group of Indigenous writers to pen the series.
Producer Darren Dale told IF that Blackfella has already begun developing the show's second season. "It's such a wonderful project in that Indigenous writers have created this series with Jimmy, who's such an acclaimed and great scriptwriter. We've commence development on season two, so it's something we're incredibly busy with."
Blackfella Films are producing the series in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Screen NSW.