Cameras roll on dark gothic tale - A four-part Original Foxtel drama event Lambs of God with All-star international cast

Foxtel today announced its next landmark event drama series commission, LAMBS OF GOD, which will premiere in 2019.

Lambs of God is a dark, gothic tale about three nuns, each a generation apart, living in an isolated convent by the coast, and an unwelcome visitor who enters their lives and changes their world forever. It has commenced production at Fox Studios Australia.

The nuns, who live in solitude from the rest of the world on a remote and rugged island, have their lives turned upside down when an ambitious young priest, Father Ignatius, accidentally stumbles across the three Sisters as he arrives on a mission from the Church.

Based on the captivating Australian novel Lambs of God by Marele Day, the twisted and macabre tale will be brought to life on screen by an international all-star cast, led by Emmy Award- winning actress Ann Dowd (The Handmaids Tale, The Leftovers).

She will be joined by Australian stage and screen star Essie Davis  (Game of Thrones, The Slap, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Babadook, and the upcoming The True History of The Kelly Gang), and UK actress, Jessica Barden (The End Of The F*****World, The Lobster) who, as the three Sisters of St Agnes, must defend their lives, existence and beliefs when the handsome priest, played by actor Sam Reid (The Railway Main, Belle, Anonymous) attempts to sell their dilapidated monastery. What unfolds is an epic and fantastical tale of faith, love and redemption.

Foxtel Head of Drama Penny Win said: “Lambs of God is a lush, evocative drama that is both ancient and incredibly modern, with its timeless message of resilience, and the power of story-telling as a redemptive force.

Marele Day’s unique novel stayed with me long after I’d finished reading it, and screenwriter Sarah Lambert has taken the story and enriched it in ways that are fresh and engaging. At every creative level, the talent attached to this project is world-class, and we are very proud to be working with Lingo Pictures to bring to life this truly unique series.”

Lingo Pictures Producer Jason Stephens said: “There are few stories as original as Lambs of God. Pitched to Foxtel as "Feral Nuns in a Monastery,” this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver something that is truly different to any other drama produced before in Australia.

Lambs of God is already generating an enormous buzz thanks to its compelling script and the prestigious cast and crew that it has attracted. It’s a joy to work with Foxtel and have their unwavering support as we start to roll cameras on this moving, thrilling and often darkly humourous tale.”

Sky Vision Scripted Acquisition Manager Moreyba Bidessie said: "Lambs of God is such a unique and distinct story - and with Lingo Pictures and Foxtel at the helm, will be beautifully realised. And we are nothing but delighted to be representing the show internationally.

We feel, that with the incredible line-up of international cast - alongside the top notch creative team - will have huge appeal to many markets around the world.”

The provocative four part series has been adapted for the screen by Writer/Showrunner Sarah Lambert (Love Child, A Place To Call Home, Dance Academy, Love My Way), and will be directed by Jeffrey Walker (Modern Family, Ali’s Wedding, Dance Academy, Super Fun Night, Rake, Jack Irish)

Cinematographer and Academy Award-nominee Don McAlpine (Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet, X Men Origins: Wolverine, The Dressmaker) will make his first foray into television drama as Director of Photography, with the series filmed on locations across Sydney, The Blue Mountains, the NSW South Coast and Tasmania.

Produced by Jason Stephens ,Lingo Pictures, Lambs of God will be helmed by Australia’s most prolific, television drama executives: Lingo Executive Producer, Helen Bowden (The Slap, Devils Playground, Wake in Fright); Foxtel Executive Producer, Penny Win (Picnic at Hanging Rock, Wentworth, A Place To Call Home); Endemol Shine Australia Executive Producers, Carl and Mark Fennessy (INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, Blue Murder: Killer Cop, Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door, Catching Milat, Offspring,) together with Producer Elisa Argenzio (Fighting Season, Wolf Creek, Underbelly) and Producer Sarah Lambert (Love Child).

Lambs of God received production investment funding from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW, the Tasmanian Government (through Screen Tasmania), and Endemol Shine Australia. The series will be distributed internationally by Sky Vision.

Gogglebox Australia Season 6 Premieres

The two-time TV WEEK Logie Award-winning show about people watching television, Gogglebox Australia, will return to our screens on Wednesday, October 4, at 7.30pm on Foxtel’s Lifestyle channel and streaming on Foxtel Now, and broadcast the following day, Thursday October 5, at 8.30pm on Network Ten.

Gogglebox Australia holds the record as the #1 audience in the Lifestyle channel’s history. The fifth season earlier this year drew about 900,000 capital-city television and online viewers each week on TEN, up 16% on the previous year.

Now in its sixth series, Gogglebox Australia is back with much-loved households returning to their lounges to entertain audiences with their take on the good and the bad television shows of the past week. And this season, Gogglebox Australia will take us into the lounge room of a new household who will be announced soon.

The television experts back to doing what they do best are bubbly Greek best friends Anastasia & Faye; cocktail-loving Wayne & Tom; the adorable and sports-crazy Jackson Family; the fun-loving and cricket- mad Delpechitra Family; vivacious friends Angie & Yvie; best mates and larrikins with a thirst for life Adam & Symon; dealers in Indigenous Art Mick & Di; the close-knit Dalton Family; happily married couple Lee & Keith; and the three generations of women in the Silbery Family. High school acquaintances and housemates Zina & Vivian will not be returning to season 6 of Gogglebox Australia. Vivian has recently moved overseas and Zina is embarking on new adventures of her own.

Gogglebox Australia is an Endemol Shine Australia production for Foxtel and Network Ten.

Join the conversation:
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www.facebook.com/GoggleboxAU

Australian Survivor To Return In 2017. Casting for Castaways Now Open.

We are pleased to announce that the spectacular family entertainment series Australian Survivor will return for a second season in 2017 on Network Ten.

The critically-acclaimed debut season saw 24 everyday Australians stranded on the tropical island of Samoa with only the clothes on their back and the determination to be named the Sole Survivor.

This must-see series has delivered compelling drama, determined competition and some incredible blindsides to Australian audiences – and it culminates this week in an unmissable television event. Across three huge final episodes, the battle for the top will be fierce and just one castaway will win the $500,000 prize and title of Australian Survivor.

The final five castaways – magician and mentalist Matt, power couple Lee and El, competition underdog Kristie and ultimate game-player Flick – have battled for almost 55 days and tonight’s epic showdown kicks off with a blistering blindside that leaves one contestant shocked that they are out of the game. The tension explodes on Monday night as friend turns against friend in a battle to make it through to the Grand Finale.

The epic finale on Tuesday 25 October starts with the three final castaways battling it out in an epic six-hour Immunity Challenge. This remarkable display of strength and determination leads into a fierce, fiery and final Tribal Council, where the final two contestants face the jury for the last time. Here they must plead their case and each member of the all-powerful Australian Survivor jury will cast a vote on who they want to win.

Network Ten Chief Content Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “We are pleased that audiences have embraced Australian Survivor and that the local format has impressed new viewers as well as winning over critics and super fans. Our contestants played the game with a genuinely Aussie twist and Jonathan LaPaglia has been a wonderful host and really made his mark navigating the intense Tribal Councils.

“Survivor is a truly iconic and smart entertainment series. We are very pleased to be working with our partners at Endemol Shine Australia and Castaway Television to bring it back to television screens in 2017.”

Endemol Shine Australia's Managing Director – Unscripted Content, Peter Newman said: "We are immensely proud of the first season of Australian Survivor. It is a genuine joy to produce
this phenomenal format and we look forward to working with our partners at Ten in creating a thrilling second season". 

"We were blown away by the capabilities of our first cast, and now that everyone has seen Australians play this incredible game we can't wait to see who wants to put their hand up to take part in season two".

Casting for the highly anticipated second season of Australian Survivor opens today. To compete in the toughest program on Australian television, successful applicants need to be physically and mentally strong enough to survive in the most basic of conditions. They must be willing to engage with others and be confident and happy to live in close quarters with strangers.

Network Ten’s debut season of Australian Survivor received a staggering 15,000 applications from everyday Australians eager to take part in this iconic television series.

Australian Survivor application details can be found at www.survivorcasting.com.au.

Australian Survivor is produced for Network Ten by Endemol Shine Australia, in association with format creator Castaway Television Productions Ltd. 

The Biggest Loser: Transformed. Coming To TEN And WIN Network In 2017. Hosted By Fiona Falkiner, With Trainers Shannan Ponton And Libby Babet.

Along with our partners at Network Ten, we are thrilled that one of Australia’s most iconic and enduring series will return in 2017 in its most aspirational and empowering season to date – The Biggest Loser: Transformed.
 
Hosted by Fiona Falkiner with trainers Shannan Ponton and Libby Babet, The Biggest Loser: Transformed will see a group of everyday Australians tackling relatable weight issues and undergoing transformations of their bodies and their minds.
 
The reimagined and uplifting show will take the latest advancements in health and fitness to create a contemporary and goal-driven approach to transforming people’s lives.
 
Epic physical tests and dynamic new food challenges are part of The Biggest Loser: Transformed. But the new series will also take a unique approach to helping people transform not only how they look, but also how they think and feel.
 
Shannan Ponton returns as trainer in the new season. With over 20 years’ experience in the fitness industry, including as a trainer on The Biggest Loser since 2007, Shannan boasts extensive knowledge and skills in the areas of health, wellbeing, exercise, fitness, nutrition and people management.
 
Shannan said: “I’m stoked to be back. This is the version of The Biggest Loser I’ve always dreamed of making, something every Australian can relate to but also empower them to transform their own lives.”
 
Libby Babet, the founder of Australia’s first “entertrainment” group the BUF Girls and the athletic performance studio AGOGA, is a health and fitness specialist for everyday people and joins The Biggest Loser: Transformed as a trainer. Her approach to fitness is to make it fun, stimulating and exciting.
 
Libby said: “I’m so thrilled and honoured to be joining the The Biggest Loser team and to be part of the show’s evolution.
 
“The Biggest Loser has already had an incredible impact on health and fitness in Australia by transforming lives and inspiring the nation. I feel such a strong sense of responsibility to continue that mission, perhaps with a bit of my own spin on things.
“My approach to fitness is to help people create a positive and uplifting association with being fit and active, so it becomes something fun you actually look forward to. And I believe good nutrition is easy nutrition, you just need to know some basic principles that I can't wait to share,” she said.
 
Eleven years after she appeared as a contestant in Australia’s first season of The Biggest Loser, Fiona Falkiner returns as host for the second year.
 
Fiona will again provide inspiration, support and encouragement to the contestants of The Biggest Loser: Transformed as they embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and weight loss.
 
Fiona said: “I am so thrilled to be returning as host this year. The Biggest Loser has been such a positive influence on my life and I’m so excited to be a part of this incredible journey for our new bunch of contestants. I also feel so lucky to be able to share this experience with them.”
 
Network Ten Chief Programming Officer, Beverley McGarvey, said: “The Biggest Loser is an iconic brand on Australian television and an important and enduring show for Network Ten.
 
“The Biggest Loser: Transformed will reposition that iconic brand for contemporary Australia by focusing on people’s minds, bodies and souls. Our fresh approach will deliver the most remarkable, emotional and relatable transformations in the history of The Biggest Loser.
 
“We are very pleased to welcome back Fiona and Shannan, and to welcome Libby. They make a great team for a series that will be entertaining, aspirational, informative and – above all – transformative,” she said.
 
Endemol Shine Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mark Fennessy, said: “We’re enormously proud to be producing a fully reimagined version of The Biggest Loser for our partners at Ten.
 
“Although transformed, the program will retain much of its traditional storytelling heritage whilst embracing greater health, fitness, self-empowerment and physical makeover aspects for today’s fast-paced world.”
 
The Biggest Loser: Transformed will commence production later this year and will premiere on TEN and WIN Network in 2017. It is produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Network Ten.
 
The Biggest Loser: Transformed.
Coming To TEN And WIN Network In 2017.

Network Ten Commissions Wake In Fright.

We are pleased to announce that Network Ten has commissioned a new adaptation of Kenneth Cook’s classic Australian novel, Wake In Fright.

Wake In Fright will be produced by Lingo Pictures in association with Endemol Shine Australia, with the assistance of Screen Australia and Screen NSW. It will premiere on TEN and WIN Network in 2017.

The two-part television event will tell the story of John Grant, a young school teacher who descends into his own personal nightmare after being stranded in the small outback mining town of Bundanyabba.

Grant soon realises his city smarts are no use in this strange place that runs by its own rules. When he loses all his money and more in an illegal two-up game, he becomes indebted to some very dangerous people who refuse to let him go.

As events go from bad to worse, Grant is trapped in a spiralling nightmare of drinking, sex, and the steady stripping away of his civility. He finds himself broke, on the run and desperate for escape. But there is no escaping “The Yabba”, or the secret past Grant thought he had put behind him.

Kenneth Cook’s Wake In Fright has never been out of print since it was first published in 1961 and has been translated into 10 languages.

The iconic 1971 film version starred Donald Pleasance, Chips Rafferty, Jack Thompson, John Meillon and Gary Bond, and is regarded by some critics as the greatest Australian film ever made.
The cast for Network Ten’s Wake In Fright will be announced soon.

Network Ten Head of Drama, Rick Maier, said: “There are few Australian stories as original
or compelling as Wake in Fright. 

“Kenneth Cook’s novel, now re-imagined for a new generation, deals with the biggest themes. Provocative, morally complex and brilliantly realised, this classic story is guaranteed to stay with you long into the night and – possibly – for years to come.

“It will be a privilege to broadcast this major television event on TEN,” he said.

Producer Helen Bowden said: “Based on a novel that is as fresh as the day it was written, with compelling scripts, and a director at the top of his game, Lingo Pictures is extremely proud to be making Wake In Fright for Network Ten.”

The team behind Wake In Fright includes producers Helen Bowden (The Slap, Devil’s Playground), and Kristian Moliere (The Badabook), writer Stephen M. Irwin (Secrets & Lies), director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog, A Place To Call Home) and executive producers Jason Stephens (Lingo Pictures), Mark Fennessy and Carl Fennessy (Endemol Shine).

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “Screen Australia is thrilled to be a major investor in Lingo Pictures’ Wake In Fright, which sees the Aussie thriller genre making a triumphant return to Network Ten.”