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Cameras roll on Redfern Now

ABC's upcoming Indigenous miniseries will feature Deborah Mailman, Dean Daley-Jones, Jimi Bani, and Kelton Pell.

Cameras are rolling on ABC1’s Indigenous mini-series Redfern Now in Sydney, which tells “the powerful stories of six inner city households whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident.”

UK screenwriter Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker, The Lakes) has developed the series with local Indigenous writers and the project also has Indigenous directors, producers and actors.

The cast includes Deborah Mailman (Mabo, Offspring, The Sapphires), Dean Daley-Jones (Toomelah, Mad Bastards), Miranda Tapsell (The Sapphires), Jimi Bani (Mabo, The Straits), Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires) and Kelton Pell (Cloudstreet, The Circuit).

Produced by Blackfella Films (Mabo, First Australians) the 6×1 hr series will be directed by Rachel Perkins (Mabo, Bran Nue Dae),  Catriona McKenzie (Satellite Boy), Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Wish You Were Here) and Leah Purcell (Somersault, Jindabyne, Lantana) both starring in and directing one of the stories.

ABC TV’s Head of Indigenous Department Sally Riley said “Redfern Now is the first drama project to go into production which has been developed by the Indigenous Department. It lays the foundation for ambitious Indigenous work and is part of ABC TV’s priority to get more Indigenous work in front of prime-time audiences. Redfern Now has a wealth of inner-city stories that are rich and diverse. Coupled with the celebrated cast, it will make for compelling viewing.”

Blackfella Films’ Darren Dale said “We would like to acknowledge the generous and continued support of the Aboriginal leaders, authorities and community of Redfern. We have assembled an astonishingly talented team of Indigenous writers and directors and some of the best actors in the country to create what we think will be some of the most powerful, heartfelt and dramatic television of the year.”

Redfern Indigenous leader Millie Ingram added “As a proud Aboriginal Elder of Redfern, I wish the production of Redfern Now every success in bringing an unseen and positive side of our community to Australian audiences.”

The series is due to air later this year.

3 Responses

  1. While I’m not a huge fan of Jimmy McGovern (far too contrived for my liking – just see the recent episode of Accused featuring Peter Capaldi in a clown suit) The Street had strong moments and its great to see Indigenous faces on our screens.

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