‘The Hunting’ (Photo: Nat Rogers).
Closer Productions’ The Hunting and Guesswork Television/Merman Television’s Frayed will premiere at Series Mania Melbourne in early July.
Headlining this year’s event, which is held with the support of ACMI and Film Victoria, is Jessica Jones creator and showrunner Melissa Rosenberg, who will appear in conversation.
Rosenberg will also speak at the industry day, alongside screenwriter Luke Davies (Lion, Candy, Catch 22); Foxtel director of television Brian Walsh; Series Mania creative director Francois-Pier Pelinard-Lambert and actor, director and producer Rachel Griffiths.
Commissioned by SBS, The Hunting is a four-part drama set in Adelaide that explores the lives of four teenagers, their teachers and families as they deal with the fallout of a nude teen photo scandal. Toplined by Asher Keddie and Richard Roxburgh, the ensemble cast also includes Sam Reid, Jessica De Gouw, Luca Sardelis, Yazeed Daher, Pamela Rabe, Leah Vandenberg, Rodney Afif, Sachin Joab, Elena Carapetis, Anni Lindnerand newcomers Kavitha Anandasivam and Alex Cusack.
The ABC’s 80s-set comedy drama Frayed, from UK-based Australian comedian Sarah Kendall, follows a wealthy London housewife (Kendall) who is forced to return to her Australian hometown. There, she must revisit her past and the events that led her to flee as a teenager years ago.
Also to screen is UK drama and winner of this year’s Series Mania Grand Prix, The Virtues (ITV). Starring Stephen Graham (This Is England, Snatch), the four-part series follows a troubled man with repressed memories, who sets off for the south of Ireland to reconnect with his long-lost sister and confront his past.
With ACMI currently closed as it undergoes refurbishment, Series Mania Meblourne will be held in The Capitol.
ACMI CEO and Director Katrina Sedgwick said: “We’re delighted to partner again with Film Victoria and Series Mania for the third Series Mania Melbourne. ACMI’s Fed Square home may be temporarily closed for redevelopment, but we’re continuing to program the best of local and international screen culture. We’re thrilled that Melissa Rosenberg will be joining us for an unmissable conversation event and can’t wait to share homegrown series The Hunting and Frayed alongside critically acclaimed The Virtues with the watchers, makers and lovers of great TV.”
Laurence Herszberg, Series Mania founder and general director, said: “Series Mania is very excited to be partnering again with ACMI and Film Victoria. This relationship of work, trust and friendship is reinforced over time. And this is a new opportunity for the festival to salute and be alongside the brilliant Australian creators in the heart of a very active market.”
Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “Series Mania Melbourne provides an excellent forum for connecting audiences and industry with premium television content, and the extraordinary talent behind making it. Our industry day features a stellar line-up of international and local creative talent, and we look forward to hearing their insights into the world of high-end television drama, and the art of storytelling for global audiences.”
Series Mania Melbourne takes place July 3-5. Public screenings are free, however audiences are encouraged to book early. The industry day will be held July 4 at RMIT.
Tickets here.