13 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan
Critical Incident: Akshay Khanna and Zoe Boe. Photo credit: Lisa Tomasetti.
Screen Australia and Stan have announced two new Australian drama series, Critical Incident, a six-part contemporary crime drama set in Western Sydney from Matchbox Productions, and Sunny Nights from Jungle Entertainment which follows two siblings who get caught up in the criminal underworld while navigating the beauty cosmetics industry. The two productions have received major production investment from Screen Australia and Stan.
Screen Australia Director of Content Grainne Brunsdon said, Screen Australia is delighted to be supporting these two new distinctive Australian dramas and the story makers behind them. Viewers can expect compelling storylines, complex characters and the perfect mix of action, high-stakes drama and wit. Critical Incident is a fresh and modern take on the crime drama genre from a very experienced creative team, promising honest insights and an authentic representation of Western Sydney.
Sunny Nights is set to draw audiences into the absurdity of the siblings' misadventures as they are swept up in their new and dangerous world. With Jungle Entertainment and this highly skilled creative team at the helm, Sunny Nights is going to be an enthralling and brilliant series. I can't wait to watch them when they land on Stan, said Brunsdon.
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said, Critical Incident and Sunny Nights are fresh Australian stories from world-class creative teams. Sarah Bassiuoni and Matchbox Productions have crafted a compelling series with Critical Incident, a crime drama in Western Sydney introducing a suite of brand-new Australian actors. From the talented team at Jungle Entertainment, Sunny Nights is a madcap adventure guaranteed to entertain and uplift. We thank Screen Australia for their continued support in bringing premium Australian drama to screens.
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said, Critical Incident and Sunny Nights demonstrate the range and ambition of our screen creatives in NSW, and I congratulate Matchbox Productions and Jungle Entertainment on each of their unique and compelling series. We are excited to see the high volume of work being produced in our state, showcasing our diverse locations, and ensuring a solid pipeline of exciting projects for audiences to enjoy.
Critical Incident is a six-part contemporary crime drama from Matchbox Productions depicting life in the Western suburbs of Sydney and delves into the complex world of policing and the consequences on those most vulnerable. While on patrol for a teenage suspect, Senior Constable Zilifcar Zil' Ahmed (Akshay Khanna) pursues Dalia (Zo Boe). In the chaos and confusion of the pursuit, a bystander is critically injured. Zil's world comes crashing down when he discovers Dalia was in fact not the perpetrator. The immense guilt over the bystander's injuries, coupled with the pressure of the critical incident investigation and the public scrutiny, creates an unbearable burden for Zil. Encouraged by his brothers in blue, Zil becomes obsessed with pinning something on Dalia.
Critical Incident is created, written and co-executive produced by Sarah Bassiuoni (The Secrets She Keeps), directed by Neil Sharma (Heartbreak High) and Daniel Nettheim (Line of Duty), with writers Ruth Underwood, Hannah Fitzpatrick (Drop Dead Weird season 2) and Natasha Henry (Aunty Betelnut), and produced by Bree-Anne Sykes (Here Out West, House of Gods) with executive producer Sheila Jayadev (Stateless, House of Gods). Critical Incident is produced by Matchbox Pictures, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. It has received major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Stan. It is financed with support from Screen NSW, who is also supporting post, digital and visual effects. International sales are being handled by All3Media International. Critical Incident will premiere on Stan in 2024.
Sunny Nights is an eight-part darkly-comedic drama from Jungle Entertainment (Stan Original Series Population 11) and Echo Lake Entertainment (The Great), which follows two siblings as they navigate the cosmetics industry and inadvertently get caught up in Sydney's criminal underworld. As the brother and sister attempt to turn their start-up business into a multi-million-dollar operation, they'll find the unconditional bond of their familial relationship tested by corporate rivals, dangerous mobsters and, of course, a lifetime of driving each other insane. Starting production in 2024, Sunny Nights is about how a spritz of sunless tanner, a little ambition and a touch of crime can help a person find their true self.
Sunny Nights is directed by Trent O Donnell (The Good Place, Hacks, Colin from Accounts) and written by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer (Almost Paradise), Marieke Hardy (Heartbreak High), Lally Katz (Squinters), Clare Sladden (Eden) and Niki Aken (The Newsreader), with Shay Spencer, Jason Burrows and Chloe Rickard executive producing and Bridget Callow-Wright producing for Jungle Entertainment. It is a Jungle Entertainment (Population 11) and Echo Lake Entertainment (The Great) production, with major production investment from Stan in association with Screen Australia. Additional finance provided by Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund. International sales by Cineflix Rights. Developed with the assistance of Stan.
These projects join an exciting line-up of Australian drama series heading to Stan including Invisible Boys, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Exposure and feature film Windcatcher which have all received support from Screen Australia.
Download PDF
Media enquiries Maddie Walsh | Publicist
+ 61 2 8113 5915 | [email prote
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
03/06/2026
Clarification: SBS's position on definitions of antisemitism
3 June, 2026
Media releases
Statement by Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of News and Current Aff...
03/06/2026
Do not read this media release! Andy Lee's smash-hit show returns to ABC thi...
01/06/2026
SBS confirms its broadcast sponsors for FIFA World Cup 2026
1 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has secured Hyundai, Hisense, Macca's, Rexona, bet365, Com...
28/05/2026
Get fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with new SBS On Demand features for the ult...
28/05/2026
Six films, one unmissable collection. First Facts documentaries debut on 10 Stre...
28/05/2026
Emma Watkins brings all-new Emma's Dance Club to ABC Kids 28 May 2026
Emmas Dance Club. Image credit: Sarah Wilson.
The ABC, Screen Australia and Screen N...
26/05/2026
Three new kids' digital series set to hatch from ACTF and Screen Australia i...
25/05/2026
SBS announces exclusive TV broadcast schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
21 May, 2026
Media releases
Luke Wilkshire, Tommy Oar, Andrew Redmayne, Sarah Walsh ...
22/05/2026
Statement regarding 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for the late...
21/05/2026
2026 delegation for Partner with Australia (UK) initiative announced 21 May 2026
Screen Australia and Ausfilm have today announced the delegation for the 2026 ...
20/05/2026
From Gulkula to the nation: Yothu Yindi Foundation and NITV deepen national acce...
20/05/2026
SBS appoints David Fernandez as National Manager, Digital & TV Sales
20 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS has appointed David Fernandez as National Manager, Dig...
20/05/2026
First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund launched to elevate Indigen...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
15/05/2026
Joint Statement: News Bargaining Incentive
28 April, 2026
Media releases
The vibrancy of Australian democracy relies on the robust and open exchange of new...
15/05/2026
Call it Deltavision, Australia's through to the Grand Final of this year'...
14/05/2026
SBS Board appoints Jane Palfreyman Managing Director
13 May, 2026
Media releases
The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Board of Directors is pleased to an...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns
14 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have announced ...
14/05/2026
Australia Uncovered Returns to SBS with Bold New Season Featuring John Safran on...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns 14 May 2026
Top (L-R): Bronte Gosper (Musket), Mema Munro (Rogue One), Nathan ...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
11/05/2026
You're not meant to look at an Eclipse, but you won't be able to take yo...
04/05/2026
It's Andrew! stomps onto screens this June 4 May 2026
The ABC and Screen Australia are delighted to announce that brand new preschool series, It's Andr...
30/04/2026
SBS & NITV LEAD NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026 WITH LANDMARK GULPILIL DOCUMEN...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
13 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan 
