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Over the years, Netflix has expanded into a variety of genres with original content, but they never let go of being a go-to place for some of the best movies ever made. As the streaming wars continue and services like Disney+ and Apple TV+ continue to gain traction, Netflix is becoming less of the dominant go-to content hub that it used to be. That said, sci-fi fans can find great value in a Netflix subscription, thanks to the genre movies available on the platform.

Netflix broke out as a leader in the genre thanks to the original sci-fi series Stranger Things and that opened the floodgates to countless movies and streaming series for fans to enjoy. Much of its library consists of titles released in the past couple of decades, but there are a few classics on the streaming service for people who love all flavors of sci-fi. From big-budget...

Binge’s record-setting drama series Strife has begun shooting its second season.

The Asher Keddie-starring show became Australian streamer Binge’s biggest original series premiere last year, prompting execs to set up a writers’ room for Season 2, as we revealed in January. Production is now underway in Sydney.

The comedic drama follows Evelyn Jones (Keddie), a modern, imperfect woman and publisher, on her journey from lounge room blogger to becoming a force in women’s media. It was inspired by Australian media personality and journalist Mia Freedman’s memoir Work, Strife, Balance, and is written by Australian screenwriter Sarah Scheller (The Letdown).

In Season 2, Evelyn’s empire is threatened by the arrival of a new women’s website and a troll who calls out her hypocrisy and privilege, making her double guess her instincts when she needs to be on her A game. Her company moves to new offices and ventures into podcasting,...

Binge has announced the start of production in Sydney for the second season of its critically acclaimed series Strife, starring Asher Keddie. Alongside Keddie the returning cast includes Matt Day, Tina Bursill, Emma Lung, Maria Angelico, Rhys Mitchell, Olivia Junkeer, BeBe Bettencourt, Bryony Skillington, Darcy Tadich, Willow Speers, Jonathan Lapaglia, Alex Dimitriades, Lucy Ansell, and […]

Strife Season 2: Production Begins in Sydney – Binge’S Biggest Original Series Returns with Asher Keddie...

Exclusive: The team behind Binge’s newly-crowned biggest original, Strife, are headed back to the writers’ room.

The drama series — from Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers and Anatomy of a Scandal producer Made Up Stories in partnership with Fifth Season — has quickly usurped Colin From Accounts as Binge’s best-performing original for its first day and first week, according to the Foxtel-owned Australian streamer. The writing team, led by Sarah Scheller (The Letdown), are now reteaming to pen scripts for a second season.

The show stars Asher Keddie (Nine Perfect Strangers, Offspring) as imperfect, modern woman and magazine publisher Evelyn Jones, following her journey from lounge room blogger to becoming a force in women’s media. It launched on Binge on December 6.

In an interview with Deadline last year, Alison Hurbert-Burns, Executive Director for Binge and Foxtel Group Content and Commissioning, described the series as “the story of...

The “History of a Pleasure Seeker” pilot is not moving forward and will not be be picked up to series at Hulu, Variety has learned exclusively.

The show was first ordered to pilot at the streaming service back in March 2022. It was based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name. Per the official logline, the show was a musical drama “set in Amsterdam in 1907, a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.”

The cast for the pilot included Carla Woodcock, Callum Kerr, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Olumide Olorunfemi, and Bebe Bettencourt.

“History of a Pleasure Seeker” was based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name. Mason adapted the novel for the screen and also served as an executive producer. Julie Anne Robinson directed and executive produced the pilot. Christopher Read executive produced in addition to serving as composer.

Exclusive: Ato Blankson-Wood, star of Jeremy O. Harris’ Broadway show Slave Play, is the latest star added to Hulu’s musical pilot History of a Pleasure Seeker.

Blankson-Wood joins leads Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr, Lesley-Ann Brandt, who Deadline revealed earlier this week, and Olumide Olorunfemi and Bebe Bettencourt in the project.

The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.

The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals.

Exclusive: Lucifer’s Lesley-Ann Brandt is joining Hulu musical pilot History of a Pleasure Seeker.

The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.

The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. As Piet enters this glittering world, he learns its secrets and finds his life transformed.

Brandt will play Jacobina in the project. Powerful, beautiful and always in control, Jacobina has achieved everything her privileged childhood taught her to wish for.

The Hulu musical drama pilot “History of a Pleasure Seeker” has added Olumide Olorunfemi and Bebe Bettencourt to its cast, Variety has learned.

The pair join previously announced cast members Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr in the pilot, which is based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name.

“History of a Pleasure Seeker” is set in Amsterdam in 1907 and tells the tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.

Olorunfemi will play Sisanda, a Xhosa woman raised in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. She’s used to being the most admired young lady in her village. She did not imagine she’d spend her life cleaning other people’s floors.

Olorunfemi was recently featured in the Marvel film “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” as the younger version of Naomie Harris’ character, Shriek. She is repped by Independent Talent Group.

Hulu pilot History Of A Pleasure Seeker continues to add to its cast.

Olumide Olorunfemi, who recently featured in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Bebe Bettencourt, who starred in Australian drama series Eden, have joined.

The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.

The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. As Piet enters this glittering world, he learns its secrets and finds his life transformed.

Anousha Zarkesh and Nathan Lloyd have once again led the charge at the annual Casting Guild of Australia (Cga) Awards, scooping the major prizes across television and film at Saturday’s virtual ceremony.

Lloyd followed up his two awards from last year with Best Casting in a TV Drama, TV Miniseries and Telemovie for The Newsreader, and a second consecutive Achievement in Casting gong for web series All My Friends Are Racist.

Zarkesh – also a multiple winner in 2020 – took out Best Casting in A Feature Film for her work on High Ground.

‘High Ground’

Of the other television and film categories, Kirsty McGregor won Best Casting in a TV Comedy for Fisk, while Daisy Hicks received ‘Best Casting in a Short Film’ for Tough.

The Cga also highlighted its annual list of Rising Stars as part of the ceremony, with the 2021 group made up of Albert Mwangi (Bump), BeBe Bettencourt...

A cross-section of the country’s emerging screen talent has received the endorsement of the Casting Guild of Australia (Cga) with the announcement of the guild’s annual Rising Stars.

The 2021 list comprises Albert Mwangi (Bump), BeBe Bettencourt (The Dry), Clarence Ryan (Stateless), Claude Jabbour (Eden), Elizabeth Cullen (Elvis), Georgie Stone (Neighbours), Jacob Junior Nayinggul (High Ground), Marlo Kelly (Joe Exotic), Ngali Shaw (Rfds) and Yerin Ha (Halo).

Now in its seventh year, the program is designed to identify Australian actors that have the potential to shine on the world stage, with previous recipients including Eliza Scanlan (Babyteeth), Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Tilda Cobham-Harvey (Hotel Mumbai) and Alexander England (Little Monsters).

Cga president David Newman said the guild was particularly proud of the “talent, tenacity, drive, and passion” of the 2021 Cga Rising Stars.

“In a time when an actor has had to adapt like never before,...

The Dry Review — The Dry (2020) Film Review, a movie directed by Robert Connolly, and starring Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly, Keir O’Donnell, John Polson, Matt Nable, Eddie Baroo, Martin Dingle-Wall, Bruce Spence, Julia Blake, William Zappa, James Frecheville, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Joe Klocek, BeBe Bettencourt, Claude Scott-Mitchell, Sam Corlett, and Miranda Tapsell. [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: The Dry(2020): Eric Bana Succeeds in a Lead Role Though the Plot Sometimes Falters...

Marvel projects may be drawing a slew of high-profile actors to Australia, but it seems there are also local productions inversely capable of attracting MCU talent.

Christopher James Baker has been back in his native country for the past year following more than a decade in New York, during which he starred in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and also shot the upcoming DC Universe Series, Stargirl.

He has been able to hit the ground running following his return, with roles in Stan’s eight-part mystery drama Eden, as well as Goalpost’s gold rush drama New Gold Mountain.

Baker will first be seen in the former, which is set to premiere on the streaming platform on June 11.

The Every Cloud Productions/Balloon Entertainment series centres on the disappearance of a young woman and a subsequent chain of events that serves to lay bare dark and hidden secrets within the titular coastal town.

A dusty, volatile little town in the middle of nowhere, this slice of Australia is going to burst into flames at any minute. That’s just a fact of life in this fictional place. The whole area around Kiewarra has been parched in a drought for at least the last 10 years, and 324 days have passed since the last drop of rain when the bodies are found at the Hadler house in what seems to be the first part of a murder-suicide.

Karen is lying flat in the front hallway from a shotgun blast to the chest, while her son Billy is dead in his room around the corner (Karen’s baby girl was mercifully spared). Luke Hadler’s corpse is found a ways down the road, and everyone assumes that he killed his wife and kids before offing himself. A lot of folks in Kiewarra still think Luke was responsible...

The Dry is a slow burn, meticulously crafted murder mystery set in the scorched landscape of a remote Australian town. Eric Bana delivers a brilliantly nuanced performance as a federal agent tormented by grief and suspicion. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Jane Harper, The Dry explores two devastating crimes separated by twenty years. Everyone is a suspect as dark secrets are laid bare in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

A horrifying murder-suicide shocks the small rural town of Kiewarra. Luke Hadler (Martin Dingle Wall) shoots his wife and school-age son before taking his own life in a dusty riverbed. He spares his infant daughter. Luke's childhood best friend, Aaron Falk (Eric Bana), a minor celebrity investigator in Melbourne, returns home after a long absence. The locals are not happy to see him. He reconnects with Luke's old girlfriend, Gretchen (Genevieve O'Reilly), as they try to come to terms with the tragedy.

Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) wasn’t ever planning on coming back. Leaving wasn’t his choice, but at a certain point the present replaces the past. Hearing that his best friend from high school killed his wife and son before turning the gun on himself wasn’t therefore going to change his mind. If anything, knowing that truth and the fact that Luke was gone might have been the final nail as far as never returning at all. But that’s when the card came with a cryptic message more or less blackmailing Aaron into attending the funeral. It was sent by Luke’s father and stated that he knew they lied twenty years ago. What was the lie? We don’t yet know. Whatever it was, though, it worked. Aaron was heading home.

Writer/director Robert Connolly’s The Dry (co-scripted by Harry Cripps from Jane Harper’s novel...

In an idyllic coastal town, the disappearance of a young woman triggers a devastating chain of events which lay bare dark and hidden secrets.

Stan’s eight-part mystery drama Eden will premiere on the service June 11, with all episodes dropping at once.

The Every Cloud Productions/Balloon Entertainment series boasts a cast that includes BeBe Bettencourt, Sophie Wilde, Keiynan Lonsdale, Cody Fern, Christopher James Baker, Samuel Johnson, Rachael Blake, Leeanna Walsman, Simon Lyndon and Maggie Kirkpatrick.

Created by Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox together with Skins creator Bryan Elsley, Eden is produced by Fiona McConaghy and directed by John Curran, Mirrah Foulkes and Peter Andrikidis. All eight episodes of the series are shot by award-winning cinematographer Geoffrey Hall.

Eden also boasts an all female writing team, led by head writer Vanessa Gazy, alongside Jess Brittain, Anya Beyersdorf, Clare Sladden and Penelope Chai.

Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Nsw.

"Put 'em under enough pressure, and they just crumble..." IFC Films has released their official US trailer for the Australian crime thriller titled The Dry, from filmmaker Robert Connolly. We've already featured two other full trailers for this film last year leading up to its opening in Australia / Nz at the start of this year. It's now set for a US debut in May - both in theaters and on VOD at the same time. Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken hometown to attend a funeral. But his return opens a decades-old wound - the unsolved death of a teenage girl. He begins to suspect this crime along with the death of a young woman, separated by decades, might be connected. But how, what's really happening here? Eric Bana (back home in Australia) stars as Aaron Falk, along with Genevieve O'Reilly, Matt Nable, James Frecheville, Keir O'Donnell, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor,...

Stan’s upcoming eight-part drama Eden is set in an idyllic coastal town, where the disappearance of a young woman triggers a devastating chain of events which lay bare the dark and hidden secrets of the town.

The Every Cloud Productions/Balloon Entertainment series boasts a cast that includes BeBe Bettencourt, Sophie Wilde, Keiynan Lonsdale, Cody Fern, Christopher James Baker, Samuel Johnson, Rachael Blake, Leeanna Walsman, Simon Lyndon and Maggie Kirkpatrick.

Created by Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox together with Skins creator Bryan Elsley, Eden is produced by Fiona McConaghy and directed by John Curran, Mirrah Foulkes and Peter Andrikidis. All eight episodes of the series are shot by award-winning cinematographer Geoffrey Hall.

Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Nsw. Financed with support from all3media International who is the global distribution partner.

Stan is expected to announce the premiere date soon.

The post ‘Eden’ (Teaser) appeared first on If Magazine.

Exclusive: IFC Films has picked up North American rights to Robert Connolly’s atmospheric mystery thriller The Dry, starring Eric Bana. A May 21 theatrical and on-demand release date is planned for the Made Up Stories feature. The pic is the actor’s first Australian film in over a decade.

As we told you at the start of the year, The Dry made a big splash at the Australian box office during the pandemic. Already it’s one of the top 15 grossing Australian films of all-time with over Au$17 million to date, garnering over $3.5 million in the best ever debut for an Australian-made feature from an independent studio.

Based on Jane Harper’s best-selling novel, which has sold over a million copies worldwide, The Dry is directed by Robert Connolly from an adaptation by Connolly and Harry Cripps.

Twenty years after leaving his drought-stricken hometown, Federal Agent Aaron Falk (Eric Bana...

The barren earth surrounding a drought-stricken Aussie town provides fertile ground for mystery, suspense and punchy emotional drama in “The Dry.” This enthralling adaptation of Jane Harper’s international bestseller stars a spot-on Eric Bana as a city detective whose investigation of an apparent murder-suicide in his hometown triggers renewed suspicion about his involvement in a mysterious death that’s haunted the community for two decades. Expertly directed and co-written by respected filmmaker Robert Connolly, “The Dry” has all the character intrigue, clever plot twists and red herrings to keep viewers guessing. It should become a sizeable summer hit when released in local cinemas on Jan. 1. Broad international streaming exposure is assured.

Headlining his first Aussie feature since 2007’s “Romulus, My Father,” Bana is perfectly cast as Federal Agent Aaron Falk. A dedicated detective based in Melbourne, Aaron hasn’t set foot in hometown Kiewarra since departing abruptly following the...

While the domestic box office was hammered over the holidays, over in Australia, it’s been quite alive.

A leading example of this last weekend was Roadshow Films’ Eric Bana thriller The Dry, based on Jane Harper’s bestselling and award-winning debut novel, which has minted $3.5M since its New Year’s Day release.

I’m told that’s the best debut for an Australian-made feature at the country’s B.O. from an independent studio, and the 5th best debut for an Australian filmmaker down under after Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby ($6.5M U.S.), George Miller’s Happy Feet ($6.1M), Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road ($5M), and Luhrmann’s Australia ($4.1M). The Dry was directed and co-adapted by Aacta Award winner Robert Connolly.

Australia, by and large, is operating at 75% capacity theatrical auditorium restrictions during the pandemic, while some areas are capped 50%. There...

The Dry International Trailers — Robert Connolly‘s The Dry (2020) international movie trailers has been released by Roadshow Films and stars Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly, Matt Nable, James Frecheville, Keir O’Donnell, Sam Corlett, Martin Dingle Wall, BeBe Bettencourt, Bruce Spence, and Miranda Tapsell. Crew Robert Connolly and Harry Cripps wrote the screenplay for The Dry. [...]

Continue reading: The Dry (2020) International Movie Trailers: Detective Eric Bana investigates a Shocking Murder-suicide Case in his Hometown...

"People remember what you did..." Roadshow Pictures has released a a full-length Australian trailer (listed as "Trailer 2" following the first look) for a murder mystery thriller titled The Dry, from filmmaker Robert Connolly. A Federal Agent returns to his hometown to face the demons of his past after his childhood friend dies in a gruesome murder-suicide. He begins to suspect this crime along with the death of a young woman, separated by decades, might be connected. What's really going on...? Eric Bana (back home in Australia) stars as Federal Agent Aaron Falk, along with Genevieve O'Reilly, Matt Nable, James Frecheville, Keir O'Donnell, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Eddie Baroo, & BeBe Bettencourt. This is set for release starting on January 1st, New Years Day, in Australia (since it's currently summer down there). It's a superb trailer, the eerie music and mystery and emotions mix together in just the right way to get my full attention.

Robert Connolly’s The Dry stars Eric Bana as Agent Aaron Falk, who returns to his home town after an absence of over 20 years to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke, who allegedly killed his wife and child before taking his own life – a victim of the madness that has ravaged this community after more than a decade of drought.

When Falk reluctantly agrees to stay and investigate the crime, he opens up an old wound – the death of 17-year-old Ellie Deacon. Falk begins to suspect these two crimes, separated by decades, are connected.

The film is based on the Jane Harper novel of the same name, adapted by Connolly and Harry Cripps.

The Dry, produced by Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson for Made Up Stories together with Connolly and Bana, also stars Genevieve O’Reilly, Keir O’Donnell, John Polson, Julia Blake, Bruce Spence, Matt Nable, William Zappa,...

The Casting Guild of Australia (Cga) has named its ten ‘Rising Stars’ for 2020: Luca Sardelis, Lily Sullivan, Yazeed Daher, Sophie Wilde, Ayesha Madon, Patrick Jhanur, Daniel Monks, Ratidzo Mambo, Thomas Weatherall and Bridie McKim.

It’s the sixth year the guild has compiled the list, which has previously identified talent such as Eliza Scanlan, Katherine Langford, Tilda Cobham-Harvey, Geraldine Viswanathan and Alexander England.

Cga President David Newman said: “Each year all Cga members nominate and then vote for 10 emerging artists they see as Rising Stars, those who we believe are most likely to cut through at an international level.

“In 2020, these actors have gone from all work stopping, thinking they may never work again to now being presented as some of the most promising of their generation – what a roller coaster! We’re extremely proud to present 10 emerging artists who aren’t only amazingly talented but also represent the...

Spectrum Originals has headed down under to find its latest international drama – Australian thriller Eden.

The Charter Communications broadcaster has picked up the eight-episode drama, which comes from Australian streamer Stan and distributor All3Media International. It will air in 2021.

It becomes the latest international series set to air on the platform – Spectrum has already aired British drama Temple and teamed with UK streamer BritBox for Cold War espionage series A Spy Among Friends starring Damian Lewis and Dominic West.

Eden is centered around an idyll waterside town that holds some very dark secrets. It follows the disappearance of a girl in Byron Bay, an Australian town that seems to be a paradise. Each episode is told from a different character’s perspective, and the mystery unfolds through multiple lenses as the secrets that bind this supposed nirvana are exposed.

The cast includes Sophie Wilde (Bird), Samuel Johnson Oam (The Secret Life of Us...

Spectrum Originals is adding a new drama to its slate.

Charter Communications’ Ott service has picked up Australian drama “Eden,” with the aim of debuting the eight-episode series on Spectrum on Demand in 2021.

“Eden” hails a from “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” creators Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, as well as “Skins” co-creator Bryan Elsley and Vanessa Gazy. It follows the disappearance of a girl in Byron Bay, an Australian town that seems to be a paradise. Each episode is told from a different character’s perspective, and the mystery unfolds through multiple lenses as the secrets that bind this supposed nirvana are exposed.

The cast of “Eden” includes Sophie Wilde (“Bird”), Samuel Johnson Oam (“The Secret Life of Us”), Bebe Bettencourt (“The Dry”), Christopher James Baker, Cody Fern (“American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace”), Keiynan Lonsdale (“The Flash”), Claude Jabbour (“Stateless”) and Cassandra Sorrell (“Plastic”).

“Eden” is a...

"When you've been lying about something for so long it becomes second nature..." Roadshow Pictures has released an official Australian trailer for a murder mystery thriller titled The Dry, from filmmaker Robert Connolly. This is set for release starting on January 1st in Australia, but has no other international release dates set yet. A Federal Agent returns to his hometown to face the demons of his past after his childhood friend dies in a gruesome murder-suicide. He begins to suspect this crime along with the death of a young woman, separated by decades, might be connected. Eric Bana (back home in Australia) stars as Federal Agent Aaron Falk, along with Genevieve O'Reilly, Matt Nable, James Frecheville, Keir O'Donnell, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Eddie Baroo, & BeBe Bettencourt. This looks like so many other small town murder mystery films, with all the usual intense emotional scenes and twists digging up dirt from the past.

Fiona Eagger.

The biggest challenge facing TV producers next year is figuring out ways to keep Australian dramas screening on the free-to-air broadcasters, according to Fiona Eagger.

Eagger, who co-founded Every Cloud Productions with Deb Cox, welcomes the raising of the TV Producer Offset to 30 per cent but laments the abolition of the local content sub-quotas for Fta networks.

“For Australian producers our greatest challenge is keeping Australian drama alive on our free-to-airs,” she tells If. “All the networks want to keep making Australian drama because when it hits the sweet spot, it creates great audience loyalty to a brand.

“But they’re worried about their revenues and livelihoods so, hand-in-glove with Screen Australia and the state agencies, we have to be really clever in how we put deals together.

“We are resilient and inventive but it’s not easy when the government gives on one hand but takes away on the other hand.

‘Bump.’

Stan today unveiled five Stan Original productions – two drama series, a true crime docuseries, a film and a comedy special – as part of an ambitious plan to ramp up local commissions.

The Nine-owned streamer said it plans to invest in more than 30 productions per year within five years, drawing on Nine’s production facilities and via co-productions with international partners including Hollywood studios and international networks.

It will continue to build on relationships with state and national screen agencies including initiatives such as the Stan and Film Victoria Development Fund and the Screen Queensland and Stan Premium Drama Development Fund.

The slate announced today includes Every Cloud Productions and Balloon Entertainment’s eight-part murder mystery Eden; Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro and Roadshow Rough Diamond’s 10-part half-hour drama Bump; and After the Night, a four-part true crime docuseries from Eq Media Group and Salon Pictures, created and directed by Thomas Meadmore.