BINGE today announced production has begun in Sydney on THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, a new Australian series commissioned by the Foxtel Group from award-winning production companies Blossom Films and Made Up Stories and global film and TV studio FIFTH SEASON.
As cameras start rolling, BINGE also announced the key cast set to star in the drama series, led by the highly regarded Teresa Palmer (The Clearing, The Fall Guy), Miranda Richardson (Good Omens, Spider) and Danielle Macdonald (The Tourist, Patti Cake$), with Helen Thomson (Elvis, Colin From Accounts), Susan Prior (Animal Kingdom, Puberty Blues), Claude Scott-Mitchell (The Dry, Hotel Portofino), Charlie Garber (Barons, The Outlaw Michael Howe), Uli Latukefu (Young Rock, Next Goal Wins) and Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Force of Nature: The Dry 2, Puberty Blues).
Based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, THE LAST ANNIVERSARY is a wickedly funny, heartfelt dramedy wrapped in a gripping mystery about family, motherhood and the women who define the generations that come after them. Samantha Strauss serves as head writer, with John Polson directing all six episodes.
THE LAST ANNIVERSARY is set on Scribbly Gum Island, a place of many secrets. The one that made it famous – the disappearance of a young couple decades ago – might have made the island a destination for true crime tourists but when it comes to secrets, the three generations of women that call Scribbly Gum home hold far more.
When Sophie Honeywell (Palmer) inherits a house on the island, left only to her by her ex-boyfriend’s great-aunt Connie, it’s the fresh start she’s craving, despite the unwelcome reception she receives on arrival. Single and approaching 40, Sophie is intrigued by something else Connie left her – a promise that she might finally find the man of her dreams on Scribbly Gum Island. But perhaps what Sophie needs is an island full of women instead?
Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson and Steve Hutensky are executive producing and Casey Haver co-executive producing for Made Up Stories with Per Saari and Nicole Kidman executive producing for Blossom Films alongside Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh for BINGE. Strauss, Polson and Liane Moriarty are executive producers. Sarah L. Walker serves as script producer.
Executive Director BINGE and Commissioning & Content Foxtel Group, Alison Hurbert-Burns, said: “We are delighted that production is underway on BINGE’s newest Australian Original series, THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, a collaboration with Made Up Stories and Blossom Films. This wonderfully crafted story takes us to the water, to the bush and brings new corners of Australia to the screen. We’re looking forward to our audience escaping with us to Scribbly Gum Island and getting lost in the family mystery that ensues.”
Made Up Stories and Blossom Films said: “We couldn’t be more excited to roll cameras on THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, which is the next chapter in the long-standing creative relationship between Made Up Stories, Blossom Films and Liane Moriarty. Samantha Strauss has brought Liane’s novel to life in such a heartwarming and cinematic way, with our long-time friend John Polson at the helm. We’re so pleased to be filming the series here in NSW, Australia with our brilliant cast and crew and backed by our incredible partners.”
Minister for the Arts, John Graham, said: “The series adaptation of the best-selling novel THE LAST ANNIVERSARY by our very own Liane Moriarty is an excellent example of supporting our home-grown talent. I am pleased to see Australian stories on our screens that have been made right here in NSW, supporting more than 260 jobs and injecting over $26 million into the local economy.”
THE LAST ANNIVERSARY is a co-production between Made Up Stories, Blossom Films and FIFTH SEASON. FIFTH SEASON handles worldwide rights to the series. The series is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.
THE LAST ANNIVERSARY is commissioned by the Foxtel Group for BINGE and will also be available on Foxtel.