EXCLUSIVE: Teresa Palmer (The Glade, the Autumn Man), Miranda Richardson (Good omens, Spider) and Danielle Macdonald (The tourist, Patti Cake$) and a host of other names have joined Nicole Kidman’s light-hearted Australian drama series The last anniversary.
The Foxtel drama for Australian streamer Binge is in Sydney with Helen Thomson (Elvis, Colin of Accounts), Susan Prior (Animal kingdom, puberty blues), Claude Scott-Mitchell (The drug, Hotel Portofino), Charlie Garber (Baronne, the outlaw Michael Howe), Uli Latoekefu (Young Rock, next goal wins) and Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Force of Nature: The Dry 2, puberty blues) has also been added to be displayed.
Based on the bestselling book by Liane Moriarty, The last anniversary is billed as “an incredibly funny, heartfelt drama wrapped in a compelling mystery about family, motherhood and the women who shape future generations.”
Set on the mysterious Scribbly Gum Island, where a young couple disappeared decades earlier, the film follows Sophie Honeywell (Palmer). She moves there after inheriting a house left to her by her ex-boyfriend’s aunt, Connie, who promises that Sophie can finally meet the man of her dreams. She receives an unwelcome welcome when she arrives, but realizes she may need an island full of women.
Samantha Strauss serves as head writer, while John Polson directs the six episodes. Kidman and Per Saari’s Blossom Films, Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories and Fifth Season, which has international distribution rights, are co-producers. The New South Wales Government supports through the Made in NSW Fund.
Papandrea, Jodi Matterson and Steve Hutensky are executive producers and Casey Haver is co-executive producer of Made Up Stories. Saari and Kidman are executive producers for Blossom Films. Strauss, Polson and Moriarty are also EPs, as are Binge’s Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh. Sarah L. Walker serves as script producer.
Kidman and Saari first told Deadline about the series in 2019 during an interview in Disruptors magazine. It was then officially announced at the unveiling of the new season of Foxtel/Binge a month ago, at the same time as the launch of Binge’s first original film production, starring Hugo Weaving. How to make gravy.
In a joint statement, Made Up Stories and Blossom Films told Deadline, “We couldn’t be more excited to turn on the cameras.” The last anniversarythe next chapter in the long-standing creative relationship between Made Up Stories, Blossom Films and Liane Moriarty.
“Samantha Strauss brought Liane’s novel to life in such a moving and cinematic way, with our old friend John Polson at the helm. We are delighted to be filming the series here in NSW, Australia with our brilliant cast and crew and supported by our amazing partners.”
Hurbert-Burns, Executive Director of Binge and Commissioning & Content for Foxtel Group, said: “We are delighted that production has begun on Binge’s latest Australian original series. The last anniversary, a collaboration with Made Up Stories and Blossom Films. This beautifully crafted story takes us to the water, the bush and brings new corners of Australia to the screen. We look forward to our viewers escaping with us to Scribbly Gum Island and getting lost in the family mystery that follows.”
In a recent interview with Deadline, Hurbert-Burns said Colin from accounting Streamer Binge wouldn’t fund a show or film “unless it was exceptional,” adding, “We have almost 30 years to prove this ambition.”
said Prentiss Fraser, president of television distribution for season five The last anniversaryThe film’s producers have “delivered a cozy and hilarious crime thriller that is ideal for a high-quality television adaptation and we are delighted that Foxtel Group has welcomed and supported this project.”
“The series is already a perfect combination of incredible talent, heartwarming humor and an engaging, family-centric crime thriller, and we see great potential for this series to follow in the footsteps of our big international hits.” Nine complete strangers And The Lost Flowers by Alice Hart to reach audiences around the world.”
That’s what Australian arts minister John Graham said The last anniversary “A great example of supporting our homegrown talent,” adding: “I’m delighted to see Australian stories on our screens, created right here in NSW, supporting over 260 jobs and generating over A$26 million .” [$17M] in the local economy.”
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
