Keshet International Invests in Australian Drama

Keshet International (KI) has selected the political drama Black B*tch (working title) as the second project to receive an investment from its Content Fund.

KI is partnering with ABC and Screen Australia on the Blackfella Film six-part production, which will star Rachel Griffiths alongside Deborah Mailman. Directed by Rachel Perkins, it will be produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear, with Griffiths as an executive producer. It will film in Canberra, Sydney and Far North Queensland for a 2019 airdate.

“Black B*tch (w.t.) is a strong local story with the potential to resonate and connect with audiences around the world, which is why it immediately stood out to us,” said Sebastian Burkhardt, KI’s managing director of global content at KI. “This second investment by the KI Content Fund reinforces our commitment to bring more high-end dramas to global audiences and also demonstrates our belief in the team behind this compelling story of power, loyalty and betrayal.”

“Following on from our previous successes Redfern Now and Cleverman, ABC Indigenous continues its strategy to redefine how Indigenous people see themselves on the screen, with the impressive Black B*tch (w.t.),” said Kelrick Martin, ABC’s head of indigenous. “We look forward to working alongside the talented team at Blackfella Films to produce this invigorating series for our audience.”

Dale from Blackfella Films and Griffiths said, “This story is one that united us in our shared passion to tell stories about contemporary women and the challenges of leaning in and finding their voice in our times. Our exceptional writing team has created a thrilling story of two complex and gutsy female leads who vie for power in a male-dominated world and we cannot wait to take it to a global audience.”

KI will represent the show internationally, working with Endeavor Content to co-distribute it in the U.S.