eOne to Rep Aussie Drama The Newsreader

Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired the international distribution rights for The Newsreader, a 6×1-hour drama series set to air on ABC TV in Australia.

From Werner Film Productions, the drama is produced by Emmy-nominated Joanna Werner (Clickbait, Secret City) with creator Michael Lucas, and executive produced by Werner and Stuart Menzies (The Cry). Set in the 1980s and centered around the frantic, busy heart of a commercial TV newsroom, The Newsreader follows the relationship between an ambitious young TV reporter and the star female news anchor.

The cast is led by Anna Torv (Mindhunter, Fringe), Sam Reid (Prime Suspect 1973, Lambs of God), Robert Taylor (Longmire), Logie Award winner Stephen Peacocke (Five Bedrooms, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot), Chai Hansen (The New Legends of Monkey) and Marg Downey (Fast Forward, Top of the Lake: China Girl).

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Joanna and ABC to bring Michael’s world-class new series to international audiences,” said Noel Hedges, executive VP of acquisitions at eOne. “The Newsreader offers fiery drama, emotion and tension each week, populated by such beautifully written, nuanced characters and layered with sharp wit, warmth and complexity. It promises to be a stand-out show for next year.”

Werner said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Noel and his exceptional team at eOne to bring The Newsreader to the world.  Anna and Sam head up a fabulous cast and Michael’s scripts have brilliantly delivered a complicated relationship journey set amongst iconic news stories that have defined our time—from The Challenger explosion to Chernobyl to the AIDS crisis. It’s a gripping deep dive into the internal mechanizations of the news world, and the radiant fashions of 1986.”