Airdate: Swift Street

Swift Street, a new urban heist-escapade through inner-city Melbourne, premieres on SBS in late April.

The series features rising star Tanzyn Crawford (Tiny Beautiful Things) and Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis (Avatar: The Way of Water) as dysfunctional father-daughter duo Robert and Elsie.

They are joined by Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon), Eliza Matengu (Thor: Love and Thunder), Bernie Van Tiel (Erotic Stories) and Alfred Chuol in his first television role.

The series  will have its World Premiere in competition at the Cannes International Television Series Festival, Canneseries which runs from April 5th-10th.

SBS Head of Scripted, Julie Eckersley, says “Swift Street is unlike anything we’ve seen on Australian television before. It’s a great story that takes audiences on a really fun ride.

“The series fearlessly melds compelling characters and biting drama with genuine heart and irreverent humour that will resonate strongly with a new generation of SBS viewers.”

Creator and director Tig Terera says: “Swift Street is a story from my heart, set in the multicultural inner-Melbourne community that I live in and love.”

“SBS is the perfect home for Swift Street because they champion bold new stories. It’s a privilege to be part of that with Magpie Pictures,”  Executive Producer / Producer Lois Randall and Producer Ivy Mak say: “We’re so proud of Tig Terera, our extraordinary cast, and all the talented creatives and crew who brought their passion to making this highly original and entertaining series”.

“We hope audiences will rush to SBS and SBS on Demand to experience the heart and hustle of life on Swift Street!”

Screen Australia Director of Content Grainne Brunsdon says: “Anchored by a fantastic cast and crew, Swift Street is a gripping re-imagining of the crime genre. The show’s recent selection for Canneseries is testament to Tig and the team’s ability to create engaging television that transcends borders – it certainly has the makings of a hit and we’re absolutely thrilled to have supported its production.”

Swift Street was created and directed by the incredible new talent of Tig Terera (Tinashé, Chenge), who is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most exciting creative voices. Episodes 5-8 were directed by Nicholas Verso and the series was executive produced by Magpie Pictures’ Lois Randall. Filmed on location in Melbourne’s bustling inner-city cultural hub, Swift Street is a love letter to the Melbourne where Tig grew up. 

This action-packed crime drama follows 21-year-old street smart Elsie (Tanzyn Crawford) who must team up with her jaded old-school hustler father, Robert (Cliff Curtis), to get him out of a $26,000 debt and save him from a merciless crime boss (Eliza Matengu). The unlikely pair embark on a series of crimes while navigating their complicated father-daughter relationship. 

Along the way, Elsie must juggle her relationship with high school sweetheart Tatenda (Alfred Chuol), her growing attraction to Aisha (Bernie Van Tiel) and face a shocking revelation about her new friend Tom (Keiynan Lonsdale).  

Swift Street will be available to stream on SBS On Demand with subtitles in five languages: Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese and Korean. 

Swift Street is a Magpie Pictures production for SBS with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with SBS. Produced in association with VicScreen and financed with the assistance of Screen NSW. Fifth Season is managing international sales for this project. 

Double episodes 8:30pm Wednesday 24 April (All eight thirty-minute episodes will be available to stream free on SBS On Demand from 24 April).