BINGE has commissioned a new Australian scripted drama based on Brenden Abbott, the convicted bank robber whose escapes and exploits earned him national notoriety. Cameras are now rolling in Western Australia on the as yet untitled 6 x 1-hour series.
Set across the 1980s and 1990s, the series follows Abbott‘s criminal career, his escapes from custody, and the police efforts to capture him. It draws on real events and is inspired by the book ‘Australian Outlaw – The True Story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott’ by Derek Pedley.
The cast
George Mason (The Power of the Dog) stars as Abbott, joined by Robyn Malcolm, Ashleigh Cummings, and Keiynan Lonsdale. Supporting cast includes Oscar Redding, Anthony Hayes, Mia Artemis, and Jayden Popik.
L-R Front: Rikki Lea Bestall, CEO Screenwest, John Driscoll, Board Chair Screenwest, Hamish Lewis Head of Scripted Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Lana Greenhalgh Director of Scripted Originals Foxtel Group. Front
Bonnie Moir, Director, Ben Young, Director and Executive Producer. Photo credit: Liang Xu
The production
Commissioned by the Foxtel Group, the series is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, with ITV Studios handling distribution. Major funding comes from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive.
According to Screenwest, the series is projected to inject over $7 million into the local economy, with employment for at least 80 Western Australian crew, 80 cast with speaking roles, and 400 extras.
Ben Young (Hounds of Love) and Bonnie Moir (Love Me) are directing. Young also serves as executive producer. The writing team is led by Sarah Walker, with contributions from Matt Cameron, Scout Cripps, and Anthony Hayes.
The story’s enduring appeal
Lana Greenhalgh, Executive Producer and Director of Scripted Originals at Foxtel Group, described the story as “as Australian as it gets”.
Hamish Lewis, Head of Scripted at WBITVP Australia, called the narrative “too good not to be told,” emphasising its themes of resilience and family.
Director Ben Young added the series blends “action, love, violence and complex emotional relationships.”