Filming underway for The PM’S Daughter

Production is underway in Canberra on upcoming ABC ME series The PM’S Daughter.

The 10 part political comedy-drama, follows Cat Parkes Pérez (Cassandra Helmot), a young activist whose relatively normal teen life is thrown into disarray when political turmoil strikes and Cat’s mother is unexpectedly thrust into the role of Prime Minister. As major disruptions begin to occur at Canberra landmarks – all seemingly designed to directly sabotage the Prime Minister – Cat and her new friends, Sadie and Ollie, set out to track down and unmask a rogue faction within a youth action group called Action Uprising. The clues will take them across every inch of the capital and lead them to investigate even their own schoolmates.

Created by Tristram Baumber (The Unlisted, Born to Spy [formerly Parent Up]) and newcomer Matthew Allred and produced by Alice Willison (The Other Guy), features newcomer Cassandra Helmot as Cat, plus Natalie English as Sadie, Jaga Yap (Babyteeth) as Ollie, Nya Cofie (The Unlisted) as Miro and Amelie James-Power as Georgina, joined by Claire Fearon as Prime Minister Isabel Pérez, Anthony Brandon Wong (The Family Law) as Deputy Prime Minister Tim Yeung, Gemma Bird Matheson (The Housemate, Content) as Yvette and Renee Lim (Please Like Me) as Deputy Principal Tan.

The ten-episode series will be helmed by set-up director Julietta Boscolo (Doctor, Doctor), alongside Erin White (Little Lunch) and Alana Hicks (Chicken). Writers for the series include Baumber, Lou Sanz, Hannah Samuel, Angela McDonald, Craig Irvin, Bird Matheson and Magda Wozniak. The series is executive produced by Fremantle’s Chris Oliver-Taylor (The Heights, Wanted) and Baumber. Kieran Hoyle will co-produce.

Libbie Doherty, Head of ABC Children’s Production said, “This series has the lot! Political intrigue, full on teens, great fashion and oh yes, life in “The Lodge” as imagined by a stellar team of Australian creatives. We’ve had a lot of fun developing the series and are delighted to be launching the careers of this super cool cast. We wish them well as production kicks off and look forward to sharing the performances on screen soon.”

Chris Oliver-Taylor, Fremantle CEO Asia-Pacific, said: “We are excited to start filming on this dynamic series and bring to life the hilarious adventures of Catalina and her friends brilliantly created by Tristram Baumber and Matthew Allred. The series has brought together an exceptional team of creatives from writers, directors and producers, and will showcase an ensemble of Australia’s brightest new talent and seasoned performers.”

Sally Caplan, Head of Content at Screen Australia said, “We look forward to Cat and her friends beginning their adventures in Canberra, as The PM’s Daughter heads into production. This is an intriguing and thoroughly original concept from creators Tristram Baumber and Matthew Allred, and in the capable hands of the standout creative team behind the series we expect The PM’s Daughter will engage and inspire children around Australia when it heads to ABC ME.”

It will air on ABC ME next year.

Production credit: A Fremantle Australia production for the ABC, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW and financed with support from Fremantle International and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Directors: Julietta Boscolo, Erin White, Alana Hicks. Producer: Alice Willison. Co-Producer: Kieran Hoyle. Creators: Tristram Baumber, Matthew Allred. Executive Producers: Chris Oliver-Taylor, Tristram Baumber. ABC Executive Producer: Mary-Ellen Mullane.