Love Me, new local drama for Binge, Foxtel.

Production has begun in Melbourne and regional Victoria on a new local drama series Love Me, to screen on Binge and Foxtel.

The six-part series is Warner Bros. Australia’s first local drama in production, based on the Swedish series, Älska Mig, created by Josephine Bornebusch.

The story surrounds modern love experienced by different family members at three distinct times of life.

The cast includes Hugo Weaving (Patrick Melrose, Seven Types of Ambiguity, The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert), Bojana Novakovic (I, Tonya, Birds of Prey, Instinct, Shameless, Satisfaction), Bob Morley (The 100), Heather Mitchell (The Unusual Suspects, Upright, Palm Beach), Sarah Peirse (Stateless, Sweet Tooth, The Letdown), Celia Pacquola (Rosehaven, The Beautiful Lie), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Line of Duty, Doctor Doctor, Bad Mothers), William Lodder (Wakefield), and Mitzi Ruhlmann (The Code).

It will be directed by Emma Freeman (Stateless, Secret City, Glitch) with lead writer Alison Bell, and writers Leon Ford, Adele Vuko and Blake Ayshford.

The series will be produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford (Aquarius Films) and Executive Produced by Michael Brooks and Hamish Lewis (Warner Bros.). Executive Producers for the Foxtel Group are Brian Walsh, Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh.

Alison Hurbert-Burns, Binge Executive Director, said: “Love Me is a story full of heart, grounded by compelling and relatable characters that Australians will fall in love with.

“We are thrilled cameras have begun rolling in Melbourne on this beautifully scripted drama. Love Me continues our passion for bringing Australians the very best entertainment in the world.”

Michael Brooks, Managing Director, Warner Bros. International Television Australia, said: “Love Me marks the first drama series to enter production for Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and excitingly, our first project with Binge. It’s bold storytelling that we feel will cut through with audiences, being equal parts uplifting, funny and real. With our phenomenal cast and brilliant creative team including Polly and Angie from Aquarius Films, we cannot wait for everyone to enjoy it.”

Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Warner Bros. and Binge on this fantastic series. Our exceptional creative team, acclaimed cast and wonderfully compelling scripts will combine to create a charming, poignant and life-affirming exploration of love across different generations.”

Sally Caplan, Head of Content at Screen Australia said, “We are thrilled to support this impressive creative team, including talented director Emma Freeman and lead writer Alison Bell, on Warner Bros.’ first scripted Australian drama. Dealing with themes of grief and finding happiness, Love Me has a lot of charm, and I’m confident it will connect with Australian audiences.”

Caroline Pitcher, CEO, Film Victoria said: “As Australia’s home of high-end television, Melbourne is the natural location for Love Me. Like the series, our city is also full of heart, soul and social connectedness, and Victorians Alison Bell and Emma Freeman will gain creative inspiration from this as they work with our expert crew and screen businesses to bring these modern love stories to life.”

Love Me is the second Foxtel Group drama commission based on a European format, following The Twelve, also by Warner Bros. Australia, which films later this year.

Production credit:
Love Me is a Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia production in association with Aquarius Films for the FOXTEL Group. Major production investment from Screen Australia and financed with support from Film Victoria through production investment and the Regional Location Assistance Fund.