A new 1980s-set Australian drama has been greenlit, with the action focusing on a "legendary criminal saga".
The currently untitled series, which has been commissioned by Binge in collaboration with ITV, is based on the life of "master criminal" Brenden Abbott, who was dubbed 'The Postcard Bandit' after committing a string of bank robberies.
Described as a "propulsive, high-octane" and "gripping, character-driven" crime drama, the six-part series follows Abbott (played by Home and Away's George Mason) as he goes on the run following his escape from maximum security prison.
Mason will be joined in the cast by Robyn Malcolm, Ashleigh Cummings and Keiynan Lonsdale, who are said to be portraying "pivotal figures" from Abbott's "turbulent" life and the law enforcement agencies who are "determined" to bring him to justice.
Directed by Ben Young and Bonnie Moir, the untitled series is said to "lift the balaclava on the nation’s most successful and ingenious bank robber" as he "traverses Australia's colourful and unruly" past.
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"This story’s got everything I love in TV – action, love, violence and complex emotional relationships. If it didn’t happen, you wouldn’t believe it," said Young, who added that he was "stoked" to helm the "wild ride".
"The misadventures of the elusive Brenden Abbott is as Australian as it gets and we’re proud to be partnering with the team at WBITVP Australia to bring this legendary Aussie story to screen," said Lana Greenhalgh, Executive Producer and Director of Scripted Originals at Foxtel Group.
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"This is a truly incredible story, too good not to be told," said Hamish Lewis, Head of Scripted at WBITVP Australia. "It’s the story of extreme resilience, determination and family – with a wild backdrop of '80s and '90s Australia. We can’t wait for the world to see this!"
Abbott's exploits, who occurred across the 1980s and 1990s, had previously been depicted in a 2003 Australian television film titled The Postcard Bandit, with Tom Long portraying the bank robber.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
