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ABC announces Mabo cast

Jimi Bani and Deborah Mailman will star as Eddie and Bonita Mabo in ABC1's telemovie about the legal fight for native title in Australia.

The ABC has announced its principal cast for the Mabo, the telemovie previously reported by TV Tonight.

To be produced by ABC TV and Blackfella Films the true life drama will depict the David and Goliath story of Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo, who spearheaded the High Court challenge that resulted in the recognition of native title in Australia.

The cast will feature Jimi Bani (The Straits, R.A.N) as Eddie Koiki Mabo and Deborah Mailman (Offspring, Rush, The Secret Life of Us) as his wife Bonita.

They are joined by Colin Friels (The Eye of the Storm, Bastard Boys), William McInnes (East West 101, Curtin), Miranda Otto (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, Cashmere Mafia, South Solitary), Ewen Leslie (Love My Way, Kokoda) and Tom Budge (Bran Nue Dae, The Pacific, East of Everything).

Carole Sklan, ABC TV Head of Fiction said “At the heart of the struggle is the tender love story of Mabo and his wife, Bonita, the woman he met as a teenager, loved for 30 years and with whom he raised 10 children. It tells of the deep love and partnership that sustained their fight to change the face of Australia forever.”

Director Rachel Perkins of Blackfella Films said “This is an iconic story in the tradition of great Australian tales – how a man and his wife and mates profoundly changed the nation with the bloody- minded belief that the truth would prevail.”

Scripted by Sue Smith (Bastard Boys, R.A.N), it will be produced by Miranda Dear and Darren Dale.

Filming takes place on Murray Island, and in Townsville, Brisbane and Canberra from October 24th.

It will air on ABC1 in 2012.

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