Anthony LaPaglia, Jessica Marais Join Halifax: Retribution Cast

Halifax: Retribution, a new crime-thriller miniseries from Beyond Lonehand Production for Nine Network, has added the acclaimed actors Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace) and Jessica Marais (Love Child) to its cast.

LaPaglia and Marais join a cast that also features Rebecca Gibney, who is reprising her role as Jane Halifax, a forensic psychiatrist who makes a career for herself as a university professor after spending years on the police force. When a sniper starts terrorizing Melbourne, Jane returns to the field to assist the police in tracking down the killer and saving the city, potentially putting her own life at risk in the process.

Roger Simpson returns as writer and producer alongside executive producer Mikael Borglund and writers Mac Gudgeon, Peter Gawler and Jan Sardi for Halifax: Retribution, which received production investment from Screen Australia in association with Film Victoria. Beyond Distribution is handling international sales of the series.

Gibney said: “I am beyond excited to be breathing new life into Jane Halifax as she was and still is one of my favorite characters, and I always believed there was so much more we could explore with her. Having grown as a woman and hopefully as an actor over the last 20 years I’m really looking forward to exploring Jane’s world from a new perspective. I’m also thrilled to be reuniting with Anthony LaPaglia, my co-star in Mental, and of course the spectacular Jessica Marais. Both are formidable talents and excellent humans so I know we will have a fantastic time on the shoot. Roger Simpson has been at the forefront of the best Australian drama for over 35 years and has once again delivered a truly gripping storyline that I know will keep audiences guessing right up until the last episode, and the directors and crew we have assembled are world class. So I really believe this will be event television. Channel Nine was my drama home throughout the eighties and nineties and it’s great to be back.”

Marais said: “I am so excited to be working with Rebecca again, and on such an iconic drama.”

Andy Ryan, Nine’s co-head of drama, said: “Rebecca Gibney is one of the greats of Australian television, and we are delighted she’s coming home to Nine to bring the famous character Jane Halifax to a whole new audience. This will be the biggest and most exciting crime drama in years.”

Jo Rooney, Nine’s other co-head of drama, added: “We’re thrilled to have such an incredible cast on board for the exciting new chapter of this renowned franchise. To have actors of the caliber of Anthony LaPaglia and Jessica Marais joining Halifax: Retribution is incredible.”

Beyond Lonehand’s Roger Simpson said: “Mikael and I are very proud that Halifax: Retribution will be the inaugural production of our new joint venture.”

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “Australian television has a rich history of creating iconic female characters and Jane Halifax is one of them. There is a real appetite to revisit these characters and bring them into new settings with Seachange also in production for Nine. I can’t wait to see this established creative team and strong cast bring Halifax to a new generation.”

Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher commented: “Seeing Halifax return to Melbourne is a real thrill. We look forward to Rebecca Gibney reprising this iconic role which saw audiences fall in love with her and the series 25 years ago. We also look forward to seeing Melbourne shine on screens around the world, as we reconnect with past fans and welcome new audiences to yet another top television production proudly made here in Victoria.”