Ben Mingay and Sam Neill star in Nine’s new mini-series ‘House of Bond’.
Nine has unveiled its programming line-up for the new year, and with it sees the return of Underbelly – this time focused on the “untold, uncut” story of Mark “Chopper” Read.
The series, known as Underbelly Files: Chopper, will be once again be produced by Screentime.
Also coming up for the network is the mini-series House of Bond, which tells the rags to riches tale of the controversial business tycoon Alan Bond. Sam Neill, Rachael Taylor and Adrienne Pickering star alongside Hacksaw Ridge’s Ben Mingay as Bond.
Other cast members include Samantha Jade, Gyton Grantley, Marcus Graham, Anne Looby, Johnny Ruffo, Roy Billing, Paul Gleeson and Jack Campbell. House of Bond was produced by CJZ, with the assistance of Screen Australia and Screen NSW. The mini was written by Sarah Smith and directed by Mark Joffe.
Karl Stefanovic is set to host This Time Next Year, a new series following the journey of everyday people acheiving personal goals, while Richard Wilkins will head up eight-part series The A List, described as similar to the US’s Inside The Actors Studio.
Hamish & Andy will also return to Nine in the new year to host a yet-to-be-outlined “bold new concept”, produced by Radio Karate.
In the documentary space, Screentime is set to produce new series Murder Calls, focusing on the investigation of “extraordinary” murder cases from Australia.
Children’s franchise Hi-5 will also be back after a five year hiatus, along with the show’s original producers and writers. Casting auditions for the show commence today.
Australia is also set to get its own version of the international phenomenon Ninja Warrior, to be hosted by Rebecca Maddern, and a new competitive cooking series in Family Food Fight. Both will be produced by Endemol Shine Australia.
Other new programs include The Last Resort: Love Me or Leave Me; Travel Guides, and Accidental Heroes, hosted by Sophie Monk and Nick Cody.
Here Come The Habibs, Love Child and Doctor Doctor will all be back in the new year, while Delta Goodrem and Hugh Sheridan are set to join the new season of House Husbands.
Other returning series include: Married at First Sight, the Block, The Voice, The Footy Show, 20 to One, RBT, Getaway, Millionare Hot Seat, Postcards and Matt and Kim to the Rescue.
Nine also plans to air a new batch of international programs, including Lethal Weapon, David Attenborough’s Planet Earth II, Chicago Justice and Chicago Medical.