Showtime Picks Up Aussie Drama Wakefield

Showtime in the U.S. is set to air the Australian drama series Wakefield, starring Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split, In the Shadow of the Moon).

Wakefield is a psychological drama that shines a comedic light on what happens when the sanest individual working in a psych ward begins to lose his grip. The eight-episode first season will debut in the U.S. on October 18.

Wakefield is executive produced by showrunners Kristen Dunphy and Sam Meikle. The series is directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker, How To Make an American Quilt) and Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket). The series is inspired by show creator Dunphy’s personal experiences. It is a Jungle Entertainment production in partnership with BBC Studios for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. BBC Studios distributes internationally.

“Wakefield is a fascinating journey into the mind of a man tasked with worrying about everyone else’s minds,” said Jana Winograde, co-president of entertainment at Showtime Networks. “We are excited to bring Rudi Dharmalingam, who gives such an engaging and heartbreaking performance, and his wonderful co-stars to Showtime viewers. With humor, tenderness and suspense, Wakefield travels right to the heart of what it means to be alive—truly alive—in this complicated and extraordinary world.”