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The Principal, new local drama for SBS.

SBS greenlights a 4 part drama surrounding a murder at a boys’ high school in South West Sydney.

2014-08-06_1130SBS will screen its first local drama in 2 years next year with the announcement of a new 4 part series, The Principal.

The story from Essential Media (Rake, Jack Irish) involves a murder at a boys’ high school in South West Sydne:. Matt Bashir, history teacher and former Deputy at a prestigious girls’ school, is promoted to the position of Principal of Boxdale Boys High. Boxdale is a troubled school with a history of conflict and Matt is determined to turn it around but his attempts at reform are met with scepticism and in some quarters, hostility from his beleaguered colleagues. But just when it seems he is making progress, a 17-year-old student is found dead on the school grounds.

Tony Iffland, SBS Director of Television: “SBS has a strong history of delivering impactful drama with a purpose and above all, exceptional storytelling. Our recent success with multi award-winning series Better Man in 2013 opened a new chapter of drama commissions for SBS and we’re thrilled to be working with Essential Media on our upcoming drama offering.

The Principal is set in Sydney’s south west where the rich meld of Lebanese, Syrian, Polynesian, African, Asian and Anglo backgrounds are struggling to find their social and cultural equilibrium, and nowhere is this more evident than in the high octane schoolyard of Boxdale Boys High.

“With a murder mystery at its heart, The Principal brings a stark edge of reality and moral complexity to an inspirational human story and SBS is the perfect home for this powerful and highly engaging human drama and will be proudly showcased in our 2015 schedule.”

Ian Collie from Essential Media, said: “The Principal explores topical themes of masculinity, identity and community in our society today and should resonate with a wide audience. We are blessed in having such a talented creative team in Kristen Dunphy, Alice Addison and Kriv Stenders to produce what I trust will be a memorable and compelling series – one that will be talked about for a long time.”

Production begins in November with cast yet to be announced.

5 Responses

    1. Not sure “embarrassing” is the right word. Personnel move around in the industry all the time so Tony Iffland is now at ABC Commercial. But Sue Masters remains an exec producer of SBS Drama, on this and beyond.

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