Network 10 & Channel 5 Team for Riptide

Australia’s Network 10 and the U.K.’s Channel 5 have jointly commissioned the prime-time thriller Riptide from Fremantle Australia.

The series sees a woman’s life plunged into despair when her new Australian husband vanishes after a morning surf and it’s unclear whether he got caught in a dangerous riptide or something more sinister happened. Multiple Neighbours actors are on board to star, including Peter O’Brien.

Additional cast members are renowned actor Jo Joyner (EastEnders, Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, Stay Close), Pia Miranda (Mustangs FC, Wentworth), Ally Fowler (Neighbours, Wentworth), Ciaran Griffiths (Ghost Seekers, Shameless), David Berry (A Place Called Home, Outlander), Benny Turland (Neighbours, Home and Away), Asher Yasbincek (The Heights), Yazeed Dahar (The Hunting, Safe Harbour), Sonya Suares and Benjamin Samaddar.

Riptide will be filmed in Victoria, Australia, with financial investment from VicScreen. Scott Major (Lie With Me, Neighbours) is set to direct, and Natalie Mandel (Lie With Me, Wanted) is on board as producer. Fremantle will distribute the series internationally.

“It is wonderful to be working closely with Channel 5 and Fremantle Australia on this fantastic new drama series,” said Daniel Monaghan, senior VP of content and programming at Paramount Australia and New Zealand. “We have a strong and trusted relationship and have produced many stellar drama series together in the past. Riptide will continue that great partnership.”

“I’m thrilled to continue the partnership with Channel 5 and 10 and to bring Riptide to life,” commented Jason Herbison, executive producer from Fremantle Australia. “It’s the best of British meeting the best of Australian casts and crews—and I can’t wait for the audience to see what we have in store.”

Greg Barnett, commissioning editor of factual entertainment and unscripted at Channel 5 and Paramount+, added, “Lie With Me proved incredibly popular with our viewers, and I’m looking forward to expanding our drama slate even further, working hand in hand with our production partners Fremantle Australia and Network 10. Jo is an incredible talent, and I can’t wait to see what she brings to this role.”

Joyner commented, “I am really excited to be working with the fantastic teams at Fremantle, Channel 5 and 10 in Australia, and playing Alison. She is such a warm and layered character whose world is turned upside down, just when it seemed like her life was finally coming together. I am also thrilled to be filming in the fabulous city of Melbourne and surrounding countryside, an area that I have always wanted to explore.”