ABC Australia Orders Diary of an Uber Driver

Filming has started on the six-part narrative drama Diary of an Uber Driver, which is being produced by RevLover Films with all3media international and Create NSW for ABC in Australia.

The series is written by Thomas Ward (Please Like Me) and based on the popular blog and best-selling e-book by Ben Phillips. It follows Uber driver Ben as he tries to figure out what he should be doing while helping others get where they’re going.

Directed by Matthew Moore (Offspring), the series features among its cast Sam Cotton (Rosehaven) as Ben and Zahra Newman (Wentworth, Sisters) as Beck, the mother of his unborn child. Filming will take place in and around Sydney over the next five weeks, with plans to launch the show on ABC in 2019.

ABC’s head of drama, comedy and Indigenous, Sally Riley, said, “We’re delighted to commission such a distinctive and inclusive half-hour drama series from breakout producer RevLover. Where else but on the ABC can audiences find such a loving portrait of urban Australia that is both deeply funny and full of heart?”

“We started RevLover to make the kinds of shows we want to watch, and we’re thrilled that Diary of an Uber Driver is our first production,” said producer and partner at RevLover Films, Martha Coleman. “Audiences will fall in love with the honest, funny, nuanced writing of Tom Ward, inspired by the warm, observational blog by Ben Phillips and brought to life by a sensational cast and crew helmed by Matthew Moore. Thanks to all3media international, ABC and Create NSW who have been fantastically supportive in bringing this special show to life.”

Said Maartje Horchner, executive VP of content at all3media international, added, “We are delighted to be working for the first time with RevLover—we started the conversation with them a few years ago when Diary of an Uber Driver was an idea, inspired by the Ben Phillips’ blog, presented to us by Martha and her team. It’s been a joy working with them to bring this show to production. The series offers a smart, humorous, contemporary view of life—and to have Matthew Moore and Stephen F. Windon aboard as director and DOP endorses RevLover’s credentials in the drama arena.”

Create NSW’s acting director of screen investment, engagement and attraction, Sally Regan, said, “We’re very excited to support RevLover Films on their first scripted production. Diary of an Uber Driver is a timely, well-crafted contemporary drama series with a great deal of humor and warmth, and a wonderful opportunity to generate opportunities for production in NSW.”