Wild Boys drama riding to Seven
Exclusive: Seven's next drama series turns back the clock with horses, gold, bushrangers, power, corruption and 4 sexy colonial boys.
- Published by David Knox
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EXCLUSIVE: The Seven Network’s next drama series will boldly step back in time, with an Australian colonial western.
Wild Boys will combine horses, gold, bushrangers, power and corruption -all set against the backdrop of an 1850s penal system.
At the heart of the series are four young men, Jack, Dan, Conrad and Captain Gunpowder, determined to keep ahead of the troopers or wind up at the end of a noose.
Expect guns, knives, fights, gambling, romance, revenge and weapons. Gold, land and power are up for grabs. The towns and highways 
are ruled by bushrangers. The guys are sexy, the authority corrupt, and the lead female, Mary, is a single mother with a business to run.
The Southern Star series is produced by Sarah Smith and Julie McGauran, both of whom are producing Rescue Special Ops for Nine. Smith also worked on The Alice and McLeod’s Daughters, while McGauan also produced Out of the Blue.
The series is due to begin shooting in late March, with cast to undergo training in horses and weaponry beforehand.
A colonial drama series has not been attempted on Australian television for some time, but Seven has a history of successful genre pieces including Cash and Co., Tandarra, All the Rivers Run, Five Mile Creek and the classic miniseries Against the Wind, while Nine had a hit with The Man from Snowy River. There are rumours Nine will announce a period edition of Underbelly, centering around Squizzy Taylor.
Last week Seven CEO David Leckie told media the network had a new drama project in the works, declining to disclose any details but noting it was “fantastic.”
It would likely premiere in the second half of 2011.
57 Responses
Thanks for all the info, I can definitely pass on this knowing that McGauran and Smith, the people responsible for that abomination Rescue will also be responsible for this creation.
I’m betting these ‘sexy’ guys will be Home and Away rejects, after all, all the ex Home and Away men need a vehicle if their Hollywood dreams are dashed.
I’m also betting Mary will run a brothel.
Sometimes I wish middle aged women would watch porn instead of relying on drama for their perving fix. All it does is just bring down the quality of drama with romantic crap and the hiring of actors based solely on their looks.
Lizzie don’t be so sure. Rafters appeals to middle class families and a wide demo.
BTW I had to smirk when Leckie described it as fantastic. I wonder if he has ever seen Rescue Special Ops
Oh no. What just happened? I had hoped we had left awful Aussie period pieces in the ’80s.
@Tango …. middle aged women need a dose of eye candy occasionally.
Great idea but given the pedigree of the creators…and it needs to have bucket loads of money thrown at it – something Channel 7 is not known for. I predict ratings success for a creatively awful show. Much like Rafters.
Yes this is very weird that it is not being produced by 7.
@ ducko, yeah I’ve seen a few leaks popping up saying season 5 of CH will be the last. 7 is probably waiting for an opportunity where the media will be minimal to make an official announcement. Somethings gotta give this makes 5 big dramas for 7 next year.
It’s interesting that this is a departure from Seven’s in-house production formula.
I have also heard that City Homicide has definitely been axed.
Not to sure about this but a huge congrats to the two SS ladies. First non in house 7 drama in god knows how long!?
That time period sounds great and hasn’t been done in recent times. Aussie telly needs something a little different.
Such great stories from back then too. Corruption, crime, scandals! If they cast well and put effort into the story lines it will definately do well.
Sounds cool.
Entourage mixed with The Man from Snowy River with a touch of Deadwood thrown in as well. I’ll definitely be tuning into the first episode. I just hope the series is good enough to justify tuning in for the second episode.
Any chance of this being produced in South Australia
Rafterwood?
Interesting in theory, but I’ll reserve judgement.
It seems a little dangerous to put a show about cowboys on a cowboy network (Matthew Newton, Matty Johns, Kyle, Ben Cousins…) and then put it in the hands of the people responsible for RSO and Canal Road (and why crow about Out of the Blue?), shows about cowboys and one dimensional adoring women.
This sounds great. Something original, not sure anyone associated with Rescue Crap Name is a good thing though. Hope this is more Deadwood than McLeod’s Daughters. Sounds interesting though
This sounds like a breath of fresh air. Hopefully it turns out good
If that team take the McLeods/RSO soapy approach to storytelling they are famous for it could be nothing short of ridiculous. That said, Deadwood was amazing and I’m amazed Seven has taken this risk so good luck to them all. I will, however, be fascinated to see if anyone under 60 watches. This decision by Seven makes Nine’s drama commissioning choices look totally anaemic.
This sounds like it could be great but I’d prefer if it were on Nine – they do the big, Aussie landscape dramas better. Like Water Rats, McLeod’s and Sea Patrol which were/are all shot on film. None of Seven’s dramas are shot on film, they all use video. Nevertheless, Seven might be onto a drama that I actually like from them.
And basically and excuse for middle-aged women to ogle men in tight jeans (just like McLeods)!! Will probably rate its head off!!
Let’s hope the makers have learned a bit more about character development since the hollow Rescue Special Ops.
I have to say that I’m kind of impressed. I have fond memories of The Man From Snowy River, and for the first time in a long time I’m actually looking forward to a new drama coming from Channel 7.
Unlike Winners & Losers this sounds like the sort of ‘appeal to all ages’ concept that has propelled Rafters to such massive heights.
It’s also about time the networks remembered that there were other genres that were popular in Australia outside of the ‘police officers do police officery things whilst falling in love with other police officers’ template.
good on em for taking a risk should be more of it ten has proved with shows like MC big brother and the biggest looser that it can pay off to take risks channel 9 should follow in seven and tens footsteps
olden days McLeods Daughters
Not sold on this one considering the 4 shows mentioned were all as dreary as it can get.
Australian Dramas don’t put enough effort in to pull the period pieces off. Underbelly even struggled with it in Season 2 and that was only what 1970?
The premise sounds interesting but unless it is given a Huge budget and its having the time and care taken into it then it could be quite bad.
But I like the different ideas that are coming out for Australia drama. Beats more cops and robbers.
This sounds like fantastic ambitious television! Hats off to Seven for taking a risk and being bold. Might skew a bit old, but Ten was able to make Hawke a hit in the demos – maybe Seven can do the same.
Probably an 8-13 ep run.
What, no hospitals, doctors or cops?
We can’t have that!