Tony Ayres Productions Developing Toxic for ABC

Tony Ayres Productions has begun developing the series Toxic, based on the true story of Erin Patterson, for Australia’s ABC.

Created by Elise McCredie (Jack Irish, The Clearing, Stateless) and Tony Ayres (The Survivors, Clickbait, Stateless), the drama will follow the real story of Patterson, who was charged with multiple counts of murder after three of her dinner guests died and a fourth spent months in the hospital following a lunch where she served them Beef Wellington with toxic “Death Cap” mushroom.

The jury is currently considering their verdict following her trial. She pleaded not guilty and has always maintained that the incident was a tragic accident.

Toxic will be produced by Tony Ayres Productions, which is backed by Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

“True stories ask storytellers to probe the complexities of human behavior,” Ayres said. “What really lies beneath the headlines? It’s both a challenge and a responsibility to go beyond the surface—to reveal, not just sensationalize.”

McCredie, who will serve as showrunner, commented, “I am delighted to be working with longtime collaborator Tony Ayres on this tangled, heartbreaking story. Sitting in on the trial, watching evidence unfurl, change direction and reposition itself has been an exercise in the subjectivity of ‘truth’ and a blueprint for a dramatic retelling that explores multiple perspectives in an honest and compelling way.”

“We’re excited to be partnering once again with our longtime collaborators, Tony Ayres Productions, on this powerful new project,” added Rachel Okine, head of scripted at ABC. “This investigation has already captivated audiences across Australia and we’re eager to dive deeper into the complexities behind the headlines to bring this story to life with the team.”