Screen Australia funds drama projects for Seven, ABC, Foxtel.

Screen Australia has announced new funding for two drama projects, for Seven and ABC, and a second season of Foxtel’s Upright.

Screentime is producing crime drama Anyone’s Daughter for Seven while Lingo Pictures is adapting Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel The Messenger for ABC.

Screen Australia’s Head of Content Sally Caplan said, “We are proud to announce this impressive slate from some of Australia’s most celebrated talent including Rose Byrne and Tim Minchin, as well as fresh new voices. Shot all over the country and showcasing a range of genres including relationship drama, mystery, crime, science fiction and comedy, these projects are set to bring engaging and uniquely Australian stories to both big and small screens.”

“This year is proving to once again be incredibly challenging but it’s heartening to see there is no shortage of fantastic ideas that we are thrilled to support and help bring to life. We are impressed by the sustained resolve of the Australian industry through the pandemic, and it’s encouraging to see work continuing on screen projects across the country.”

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said, “Government funding via Screen Australia plays a critical role in supplying targeted support to the development and production of quality Australian screen content, and we congratulate these successful applicants, reflecting the talent and diversity of the local screen sector.”

Anyone’s Daughter
A four-hour miniseries for the Seven Network about the police investigation into the disappearance of young women, written by Michaeley O’Brien (Mystery Road) and Justin Monjo (The Code), and directed by Peter Andrikidis (Eden). The producers are Kerrie Mainwaring (Informer 3838), Peter Andrikidis (Catching Milat) and Jamie Hilton (Long Story Short).

The Messenger
An eight-part adaptation of Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel of the same name for the ABC, from Lingo Pictures. The drama follows Ed Kennedy, whose life is one of peaceful routine until playing cards inscribed with cryptic tasks start to arrive in the mail. Ed makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains – who is behind Ed’s mission? The Messenger is written for the screen by Sarah Lambert (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), Kirsty Fisher (Creamerie), Kim Wilson (Total Control) and Magda Wozniak (Mustangs FC). It is produced by Jason Stephens (Lambs of God), and executive produced by Helen Bowden (The Secrets She Keeps), Markus Zusak, Dominika Zusak and Sarah Lambert. This project is financed with support from Screen NSW and All3Media International is managing international sales.

Upright
Series 2: An eight-part second series for Foxtel and Sky UK, with Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock returning as Lucky and Meg. Trading the desert for the steamy tropics of Far North Queensland, Lucky and Meg hit the road – and the river – on a mission. Lingo Pictures’ Jason Stephens (Lambs of God) returns as producer, with Meg O’Connell (Robbie Hood) also producing, and Lingo Pictures’ Helen Bowden (The Secrets She Keeps) as executive producer. Writers on the series include Niki Aken (The Hunting), Ian Meadows (Seachange) and Natesha Somasundaram (The Unlisted), with Minchin also writing and executive producing. This project is financed in association with Screen Queensland, with finance from Screen NSW, with Cutting Edge. Entertainment One (eOne) is managing international sales.