Nine & UKTV Join Forces for Outback Vet Docuseries

Nine Network in Australia and UKTV’s Eden have partnered for Outback Vet, a new four-part docuseries.

Outback Vet will track Rick Fenny—the “Mad Max” of vets—and members of his family in situations with wild and domestic land and sea animals across the state of Western Australia. Among those starring in the series alongside Fenny are his vet daughter Louisa, marine scientist son Ed and his Karratha veterinary team. Australian-based indie Projucer has developed the series with documentary director of photography Tim Small.

Parade is responsible for Outback Vet’s distribution. The series has been ordered by Nine Network in Australia—where it will go by Desert Vet—with pre-investment from UKTV. It will begin shooting in April, with an expected air date in late 2019.

Matthew Ashcroft, CEO of Parade Media, said: “Untold stories from the Australian Outback have proven to deliver big audiences to networks and streamers around the world, and we are excited to collaborate with Projucer for the Nine Network and UKTV. The characters Matty and Josh have discovered are as diverse as their Western Australia backdrop, and we are in for one entertaining and jaw-dropping ride through Australia’s Wild West.”

Hamish Turner, Nine Network’s head of programming, said: “It’s great to be partnering with Projucer on this production. We were drawn to the diverse characters and storytelling the Outback delivers. It prints a very unique range of real-life Australian stories.”

Charlie Charalambous, acquisitions manager for UKTV, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Parade on another amazing series. The gripping animal stories and fantastic shooting locations will create a wonderful show that’s perfect for Eden and its viewers.”

Matty Roberts, Projucer’s co-founder and executive producer, said: “Ever since we got together with DOP Tim Small to meet Rick Fenny, spend time on the road with him and flesh out his family narrative, it’s been a rollercoaster of exploration; from trying new approaches to actuality, to working with new Aussie talent and discovering stories that really reflect what life is like for animal lovers and owners living in remote areas within Australia’s largest state. It’s Projucer’s most passion-fueled project of 2019, and we can’t wait to get back out there to shoot it.”