TV1 Commissions Crime Drama from FremantleMedia

October 30, 2009 World Screen

SYDNEY: FremantleMedia Australia (FMA) is producing Killing Time, a crime drama based on the true story of disgraced lawyer Andrew Fraser, for TV1, the Australian cable and satellite channel owned by CBS Paramount, NBC Universal and Sony Pictures Television.

The 10×1-hour series is due to premiere in 2010 on TV1, a general-entertainment service on FOXTEL and Austar that features U.S. imports from its Hollywood studio owners as well as local fare such as Cash Trivia Challenge. Ian David (Blue Murder, 3 Acts of Murder) heads the writing team for Killing Time, which includes Mac Gudgeon (Last Ride, Halifax, Stingers) and Katherine Thompson (Satisfaction, Answered by Fire). It follows the story of Andrew Fraser’s rise from small time lawyer to successfully defending some of Australia’s most infamous criminals to his ultimate downfall. With a cocaine addiction, Fraser was soon embroiled with drug traffickers and was sentenced to seven years in prison. 

“This is our biggest production commitment to date and we are delighted to reunite our association with the outstanding production team at FremantleMedia," said TV1’s CEO, Peter Hudson.

FMA’s director of development and Killing Time executive producer, Jason Stephens, added: “I’ve been fortunate enough to assemble the A-team for Killing Time. "Already the scripts are generating a genuine buzz within the industry. TV1 and I enjoy a unique, creative relationship which paves the way for Killing Time to be something very different to anything that has come before it.”

Production is due to begin in Melbourne in 2010 with production investment from Film Victoria. The show will be represented worldwide by FremantleMedia Enterprises.