The Nine Network has commissioned a second series of Playmaker Media's Love Child after the premiere drew more than 4 million viewers across three airings.
Created by writer/producer Sarah Lambert, the drama is set in Kings Cross Hospital and an adjacent home for unwed mothers in 1969.
Jessica Marais (who plays midwife Joan Millar), Jonathan LaPaglia (Dr. Patrick McNaughton) and Mandy McElhinney (Matron Frances Bolton) will return for series two, which starts on New Year’s Eve 1970.
Also returning are Ella Scott Lynch (Shirley Ryan), Sophie Hensser (Viv Maguire), Gracie Gilbert (Annie Carmichael) Harriet Dyer (Patricia Saunders) and Miranda Tapsell (Martha Tenant).
Shawn Seet, who was the set-up director on the first series, is on board for the second. Nine’s Heads of Drama Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan said: “We are delighted with how Australian audiences have fallen in love with Love Child, and we are looking forward to working with Playmaker and this incredible cast in series two.”
Playmaker Media's David Taylor said, “Dream cast, lots of heart and authored character-driven drama… everyone at Playmaker can’t wait to revisit the world of Love Child for a second series.”
Pre-production on the new series will commence soon in Sydney.