Imogen Banks signs long-term drama deal with Endemol Shine Australia

Endemol Shine Australia today announced the long-term signing of award winning producer Imogen Banks, who will head the new drama division: Endemol Shine Banks.

Reporting into CEO’s Mark and Carl Fennessy, Imogen will lead a talented team of writers and producers whilst continuing to make some of the country’s finest scripted content.

Carl Fennessy said: “Imogen is one of the finest drama producers in the industry. She brings with her a wealth of experience, passion and a proven track record as a creator and producer of hit series. We're delighted she’s committed her future to ESA where she'll lead and inspire the next generation of scripted producers.”

Imogen Banks said: “It’s an exciting time to be making drama and I’m thrilled to be in business with Mark and Carl. Their drive and skill are second to none and I fully intend to harness that force. I love what I do and am looking forward to creating new projects with my much valued, long-term collaborators, and developing an environment in which emerging writers and producers can thrive.”

With a background in visual arts and theatre, Imogen started in the business as an agent representing writers and directors at RGM Associates. This led to a role in the development of the multi award nominated Foxtel drama Dangerous, which she co-produced in 2006. Imogen went on to co-create and produce award winning drama series such as; Tangle for Showtime, Party Tricks, Offspring and Puberty Blues for Network Ten.

Imogen and John Edwards together developed the ABC mini-series Paper Giants to critical acclaim as well as the eight-hour mini-series Gallipoli with Robert Connolly for the Nine Network.

Imogen’s most recent work was the stunning contemporary retelling of Anna Karenina, The Beautiful Lie, a six-part mini-series for the ABC.

Imogen is currently in pre production on the much-anticipated season 6 of Offspring.

For further information: Endemol Shine Australia
Bronwen Hodgson
Head of Communications, Endemol Shine Australia 02 8587 1113 / 0407 553 370 bronwen.hodgson@shineaustralia.com 

Awards News from Endemol Shine

ESA has won an incredible 8 AACTA Awards and 2 Screen Editors Guild Awards in the past two weeks. 

The AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series was hotly contested and last night Masterchef took home the award for the second time! Congratulations to Margie and her team!  Matt, Gary, George, Marty, Tim, Rob and Pete all took to the stage to accept this much deserved award.

Peter Allen : Not The Boy Next Door received all 5 of the awards it was nominated last night. Peter Allen was the MOST AWARDED television production of the AACTA Award season bringing its total number of awards to 7 (2 at last week's industry dinner). 

Peter Allen took home the AACTA Award for Best Tele-feature or Mini Series for Kerrie and Rory. Michael Miller received the AACTA for Best Screenplay In Television for his work on Episode 2. Sigrid Thorton received the AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her stunning performance as Judy Garland. 14-year old Ky Baldwin received his first AACTA for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as young Peter Allen and made the cutest speech. Joel Jackson was firmly cemented as one to watch, winning Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his captivating performance as Peter Allen. The AACTA Award for Best Direction in a TV Drama or Comedy was given to Shawn Seet for Episode 2 of Peter Allen, and Jenny Miles won the AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television.

Further congratulations are also in order to Karen Crespo and Robin Crago who deservingly won a Screen Editors Guild Award for the finale of Masterchef Australia in the Reality Television Editing category. Nicole La Macchia also picked up an award for incredible work on Catching Milat in the Television Drama category.

Congratulations to everyone, we are so incredibly proud! 

Offspring Returns to Network Ten

Endemol Shine Australia is delighted to announce that Australia’s much-loved drama series, Offspring, will return to TEN in 2016 for a sixth series.

Since its premiere in 2010, and over the course of five seasons, the multi-award winning drama treated viewers to messy, unpredictable, often hilarious and deeply moving moments in the lives of Dr Nina Proudman (Asher Keddie), sister Billie (Kat Stewart) and their family as they found joy, love, romance, fulfilment and balance in the chaos of modern life.

Nina’s story and the story of her daughter Zoe, sister Billie, brother Jimmy, mother Geraldine and all her other family and friends is far from over.

Multiple TV Week Gold Logie Award winner Asher Keddie and Silver Logie Award winner Kat Stewart will return for the new season.

Network Ten Chief Programming Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “It was no secret that we wanted to continue Nina’s adventures and we are thrilled to announce that Offspring will return to TEN for a sixth season in 2016.

“There are so many more chapters left in Nina’s life. We paused her story just as she had bravely navigated motherhood as a single parent rediscovering the joy and romance of life, while dealing with her fabulously messy family as they went about their unpredictable daily lives.

“The strength and appeal of Offspring lies in the ability of its producers and writers to marry conventional narrative drama with flashbacks and fantasy sequences. We can’t wait to start production on the sixth season,” she said.

“We are very proud of everything that Offspring has achieved and we are very excited about bringing the new season to all Australians.”

Offspring is produced by Imogen Banks and John Edwards. It is an Endemol Shine Australia production for Network Ten.

Endemol Shine Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mark Fennessy, said: “We’re enormously proud of this beautifully crafted drama by the very fabulous John Edwards and Imogen Banks. Offspring is universally loved and we’re delighted to continue the story.”

Join the conversation:

facebook.com/offspringonten
Instagram.com/offspringonten
twitter.com/offspringtv
#offspringonten

Australia, get your maracas out! Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door launches Sept 13 on Seven

The highly anticipated two-part miniseries, Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door, will premiere across two big Sundays - September 13 and 20 at 8.30pm - on Seven.

Not The Boy Next Door tells the rollercoaster story of Australian entertainer, Peter Allen, who went from being a childhood performer in country NSW to a Grammy and Academy Award- winning songwriter and the toast of Broadway, marrying into Hollywood royalty along the way.

Peter is best known for his signature song ‘I Go To Rio’, the ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ and ‘Tenterfield Saddler’, a . He also co-wrote the huge commercial chart hits ‘I Honestly Love You’, ‘Don’t Cry Out Loud’ and ‘Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)’.

The miniseries stars Joel Jackson (Deadline Gallipoli) as Peter Allen, Rebecca Gibney (Winter, Packed To The Rafters) as Peter’s mum Marion Woolnough, Sara West (Winter, ANZAC Girls) as Peter’s one-time wife and lifelong friend Liza Minnelli, Nick Farnell (Charles Bean’s Great War, Killing Time) as Peter’s father Dick Woolnough, Henri Szeps (Mother and Son) as Peter’s agent Dee Anthony and musical theatre star Rob Mills as Peter’s singing partner Chris Bell; with Sigrid Thornton (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, SeaChange) as screen legend Judy Garland and 14-year-old newcomer Ky Baldwin as young Peter Woolnough.

Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door is Seven’s third drama collaboration with Endemol Shine Australia after the February 2014 smash hit, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart and the hugely successful, Catching Milat, earlier this year.

The miniseries was filmed February-March 2015 in New South Wales and is based on the book, ‘Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz’, by Stephen MacLean.

Executive Producers: Rory Callaghan and Julie McGauran Producers: Kerrie Mainwaring and Rory Callaghan Director: Shawn Seet
Writers: Justin Monjo (Part 1), Michael Miller (Part 2)

#PeterAllen 

GOGGLEBOX SEASON 2 PREMIERES

Foxtel and Network Ten today announced season 2 of the hit local production, Gogglebox Australia, the show about people watching television, will premiere on Foxtel’s The LifeStyle Channel on Wednesday, September 30, at 9.30pm, and broadcast on TEN on Thursday, October 1, at 8.30pm.

Gogglebox was the break-out show that had everyone talking, capturing the reactions of 10 ordinary Australian households as they watched the nightly news, argued over politics, cheered their favourite sporting teams and digested current affairs and documentaries.

Each week Gogglebox took the temperature of the nation and left us with some of the most memorable quotes, like Lee & Keith, who shared some sage advice on TV love scenes; Keith “Why is everything in slow-mo?”, Lee “Because it lasts longer!”.

Janet (The Kidd Family) asked the question about the Kardashians that’s on everyone’s mind: “Why does anyone want to keep up with them?”.

Angie wasn’t a fan of chef, Gordon Ramsay; “Gordon Ramsay hot? I’d rather s*#@ in my hands and clap!”.

Anastasia taught us some Greek history; “The Greeks taught everyone how to make everything”, and what it means to be a “Malaka”. She also asked the age-old question “Who is Larry and why is he so happy?”.

And when Tom wasn’t sipping on a cocktail he was talking about his drinking and dating habits: “I’ve been blind on a date, but not a blind-date”.

All your favourites from season 1 will be returning in season 2: vivacious friends and housemates, Angie & Yvie; best mates and larrikins with a thirst for life, Adam & Symon; bubbly Greek best friends, Anastasia & Faye; the close-knit Dalton Family; the fun-loving Delpechitra Family; the sports-crazy Jackson Family; the quirky, fun and intelligent Kidd Family; the couple happily married for 30 years, Lee & Keith; Indigenous Art Dealers, Mick & Di; and newly-engaged cocktail-loving Wayne & Tom.

Endemol Shine Australia, executive producer, David McDonald said: We’re delighted that all our Goggleboxers have returned for a second season and can’t wait to see their unique and funny take on TV’s latest offerings, while getting a little more insight into their lives.” 

Join the conversation:
Twitter.com/@GoggleboxAU
#GoggleboxAU
www.facebook.com/GoggleboxAU