25 11 2021 - Media release Two of Australia's favourite documentaries return to the ABC in 2022
Miriam Margolyes
ABC and Screen Australia are pleased to announce that production is underway on two remarkable, prime-time factual shows. One takes a fascinating look into the lives of everyday Australians by the irrepressible Miriam Margolyes, and the other is the return of a family favourite live event which promises big creatures, big science, and big thrills that will take the audience on a live adventure that's as wild as it gets.
ABC Head of Factual and Culture Jennifer Collins says, Miriam's last documentary series was a huge success for ABC with her refreshingly honest observations clearly resonating with Australian audiences. With her mix of humour, warmth, and forthright views, I'm delighted that ABC audiences will once again enjoy the company of the delightful Miriam Margolyes".
From documentary to live Event TV Southern Ocean Live is one for the whole family. Last year we shared the wonder of coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in Reef Live, and this year we go live from Phillip Island with Southern Ocean Live. Featuring whales, seals and penguins this spectacular must watch factual TV will ignite the passion and curiosity for our incredible natural world.
Alex West, Head of Documentary at Screen Australia said, We're proud to support these two thoughtful and insightful documentaries. Helmed by accomplished director and executive producer Karina Holden, Southern Ocean Live explores our connection to the ocean, both on and below. Meanwhile Ash Davies, on terra firma, directs Miriam Margolyes Australia Unmasked revealing her unique and irreverent observations of Australian culture. Both programs will enrich our understanding of our national Australian identity and I am excited to see them on the ABC next year .
The very funny, very naughty Miriam Margoles is finally out of lockdown and heading back home to Australia in Miriam Margolyes Australia Unmasked, she's once again packing up the campervan and striking out on the road in search of answers. Over three episodes, Miriam seeks to understand what the fair go means in Australia today, and how it is playing out in the diverse lives of her fellow citizens. From the outlaws to the establishment, millennials to boomers, Miriam immerses herself in lives rarely seen on our screen. Now eighty, more fragile but more fearless, Miriam looks into Australia behind the mask.
Laurie Critchley, Southern Pictures said, We're delighted to have Miriam Margolyes return home to Australia to fearlessly investigate the Fair Go, from class and culture to ageism, as she makes her way from Tasmania to the West. Miriam is living proof of how things can get better with age, drawing on her strengths as a documentarian, eagle-eyed observer, and voice of the people. We can't wait to see what she uncovers next.
Australia's Southern Ocean is a wild and dramatic place - full of charismatic creatures and the perfect place for the ABC's next live broadcast adventure, Southern Ocean Live. Hosts Hamish Macdonald and Ann Jones, who will be located at Penguin Parade, on Phillip Island in Victoria, will tell the stories of many incredible creatures, including the resident fairy penguins who raucously return at dusk each night in their thousands.
Not far away, Lucas Handley and Dr Dean Miller are back to report, both on and under the water, the remarkable stories of giant spider crabs, giant cuttlefish and the other sea creatures who also appear in the safe harbour of Southern Australia including Humpbacks, Southern Right whales, dolphins, seals, albatross, and great white sharks.
Northern Pictures, Karina Holden says, Southern Ocean Live will be taking the live natural history format to the next level, as we attempt to bring the audience into the dark, stormy seas of our coastline in mid-winter. With water temperatures under 10 degrees, our diving crew and talent will be in layers of rubber as they broadcast from the night ocean. It will be a super challenging shoot, but we're excited to bring audiences on this dramatic journey with our camera teams.
Miriam Margolyes Australia Unmasked production credit: A Southern Pictures Production with principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW, Series Director Ash Davies, Series Producer Bethan Arwyn. Executive Producer Laurie Critchley. ABC Executive Producer Leo Faber. ABC Head of Factual and Culture Jennifer Collins.
Southern Ocean Live production credit: A Northern Pictures production with principal production funding from the ABC in association with Screen Australia. Financed with the assistance of Screen NSW, and Film Victoria. Series Director and Executive Producer Karina Holden, Live Producer Kirsty Bradmore, Senior Production Supervisor Kate Bailey. ABC Manager of Documentary Stephen Oliver. ABC Head of Factual and Culture Jennifer Collins.
Miriam Margolyes Australia Unmasked and Southern Ocean Live will both screen on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2022.
Southern Ocean Live
MEDIA ENQUIRIES Bridget Stenhouse | ABC Marketing Communications Specialist
0466 541 642 | [email protected]
Media enquiries Lidia Williams | Acting Senior Publicist
61 2 8113 1091 | 61 468 784 170 | [email protected]
Georgia Hing | Acting Publicist
61 2 8113 1033 | 61 400 025 940 | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
25 11 2021 - Media release Two of Australia's favourite documentaries return to the ABC in 2022 
