SBS has announced the appointment of Julie Eckersley as its new Head of Scripted, to oversee an expanding slate of locally commissioned fiction content, and related industry initiatives championing inclusion in the Australian screen sector.
Julie is an award-winning Creative Producer with a career spanning more than 20 years. She brings extensive industry experience to the role at SBS, which has seen her work as a producer and in development across a range of genres, including drama, comedy, animation, documentary and children's content. As well as working independently, her experience includes nine years at Matchbox Pictures where she worked on award-winning Australian projects including the landmark SBS series, The Family Law, ABC drama series, Glitch, and Australias first kung fu comedy, Maximum Choppage, among others, driven by her passion for creating bold and distinctive stories, and supporting new voices. She's also worked across many elements of production throughout her career, developing and producing projects with Australian TV networks, as well as internationally with Netflix and NBCU International.
SBS has also announced that Donna Chang has been promoted to Commissioning Editor, Scripted. Donna joined SBS in 2020 as Development Executive, Scripted, from Lingo Pictures where she was Head of Development. Prior to that, Donna worked at Screen Australia as a Development Executive, and has also been a Story Development External Assessor since 2015. She previously spent several years working as a Production Executive with Ridley Scott's production company, Scott Free, in London. Working closely with Julie, Donna will take on an expanded role in developing and delivering SBS's pipeline of commissioned scripted projects which reflect and explore an inclusive vision of Australia.
The appointments come as SBS's focus on developing and showcasing under-represented talent has seen its scripted offering expand to not only include premium television series, but a growing collection of original short form content for SBS On Demand. Also, in partnership with the broader industry, through initiatives RIDE and Originate, SBS is investing in the development of low budget feature films exploring uniquely Australian stories, and landmark initiatives like the Emerging Writers Incubator, which brings the sector together to support meaningful career pathways for screenwriters from under-represented backgrounds.
Marshall Heald, SBS's Director of Content, Television & Online, said: We have a fantastic slate of new scripted programming in development and production, and it's an exciting time to welcome Julie to the team. We're thrilled to have someone with her extensive experience and passion for our Charter to lead our Scripted offering, working closely together with Donna in a larger role that will fully recognise and utilise her exceptional talents.
On her appointment, Julie said: All Australians should feel seen on our screens and Im thrilled to join SBS as they lead the way in achieving this. My focus will be on supporting talent, in front of and behind the camera, as we create stories that celebrate and explore our diverse perspectives and shared humanity. Im looking for great stories that are entertaining, surprising and full of heart.
Donna added: At the core of our Scripted slate and industry initiatives is a commitment to making great local drama that showcases under-represented voices and talent. It's a privilege to work in service of these stories at SBS, and I look forward to continuing this work with Julie.
SBS would also like to acknowledge Penny Win, who has been Acting as the Head of SBS Scripted during this transitional period. Over the last six months, Penny has played a critical role in the ongoing development of SBS's fiction slate, and will continue to work with SBS to support the development of fiction projects into the future.
SBS's upcoming scripted slate includes its most ambitious drama series to date, New Gold Mountain, a four-part revisionist Western telling the untold story of the Australian gold rush from the perspective of Chinese miners, with Yoson An and Alyssa Sutherland leading an ensemble cast including local breakout talent, Mabel Li; and Iggy and Ace, a short-form drama series exploring friendship, addiction and recovery through a queer lens, set to premiere on SBS On Demand and developed through the SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia Digital Originals initiative.
Julie Eckersley commences with SBS on 5 July 2021.
For a PDF version of this media release, click here.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
28/01/2026
Top L-R: The Liars, Jazz Infernal, Living with a Visionary
Second Row L-R: Paper Trail, The Baddest Speechwriter of All, Crisis Actor
Third Row: The Boys and ...
28/01/2026
Music discovery should feel intuitive and personal. That's why we're continuing to give you more control, so you can ask for what you want, shape what y...
28/01/2026
Today, Charlie Hellman, Spotify's Head of Music, shared the following note on the Spotify for Artists blog that the company paid out more than $11 billion t...
28/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...
28/01/2026
As demand for more complex live sports coverage grows, Balkan broadcast specialist MVP has upgraded its flagship HD1 progressive OB truck with the installation ...
28/01/2026
Airlines, cruise and tour operators double down on ad spend as Australians' prioritise travel
Sydney January 28, 2026 - New Nielsen Ad Intel data shows a...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Marshall Electronics launches the CV420-27X, its next-generation ultra-high-definition (UHD) IP camera, at ISE 2026 (Stand 4N900). Engineered for modern IP-base...
28/01/2026
Grass Valley has announced that Television Mobiles Ltd. (TVM), one of Europe's leading independent outside broadcast providers, has carried out a major refu...
28/01/2026
AI, graphics and virtual software power new production capabilities
FOR-A is bringing remarkable new technologies to FOMEX, the Future of Media Exhibition (ex...
28/01/2026
Continuing a longstanding collaboration, Riedel Communications and Nordic media technology company Media Tailor have once again joined forces to deliver a state...
28/01/2026
Pebble has appointed Paul Nagle-Smith as vice president for customer fulfilment, strengthening its senior leadership focus on customer delivery and operational ...
28/01/2026
Cloud playout solutions provider, Veset has announced that leading Mexican broadcaster, TV Azteca is using Veset Nimbus on AWS as a disaster recovery (DR) playo...
28/01/2026
Ensuring it can keep pace with a rapidly evolving live sports market, Balkan broadcast facility provider MVP Most Valuable Production has upgraded its flags...
28/01/2026
Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cloud solutions provider that powers and protects life online, and Yospace, the leader in dynamic ad insertion tec...
28/01/2026
The renowned Reykjavik City Theatre (RCT) recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade using Clear-Com solutions. This milestone project utilizes Clear-C...
28/01/2026
Luxembourg, January 26, 2026 - SES S.A. ( SES or the Company ), a leading space solutions company, acknowledges the credit rating action announced by Fitch to...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
28/01/2026
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Premieres a New Piano Concerto by Peter and Leonar...
28/01/2026
28 Jan 2026
VEON Notes Kyivstar Group Publication of Selected Full Year 2025 Fi...
28/01/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host 2026 edition of its online event Demystifying EMC Rohde & Schwarz invites the global EMC community to join a crucial discussion on pre...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
The Wait Is Over: Teaser Trailer Drops for Jo Nesbo's Dete...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces a Fictional Miniseries Inspired by the Marta del Castillo Case
Entertainment
28 January 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to ...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces Santiago Mitres New Film Starring Ver nica L...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Teaser Trailer for Berlin and the Lady wit...
28/01/2026
Stadtwerke Wolfhagen Modernize Customer Management with AEP.energysuite from Arv...
27/01/2026
Click for Japanese version
Tokyo, Japan - January 27, 2026 - Akamai Technolo...
27/01/2026
L-R: Jonathan Cuchacovich, Sonia Kennebeck, Alan Fischer, Daeil Kim, Andrew Sta...
27/01/2026
Today, Spotify is proud to support our partner Backline, an industry-leading men...
27/01/2026
With nearly 29 million monthly listeners and clear momentum on Spotify, Net n Ve...
27/01/2026
January 14, 2026
We are proud to share that 25 Ontario, First Gulf's commercial project located just two minutes from our head office, has been recognized ...
27/01/2026
January 22, 2026
First Gulf is excited to share that a full-building lease has been secured at 625 Bronte Rd in Oakville, part of Bronte Station Business Park,...
27/01/2026
January 23, 2026
First Gulf continues to demonstrate its commitment to high-performance, sustainable real estate with 351 King Street East achieving BOMA BEST ...
27/01/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
27/01/2026
Nielsen will continue to drive growth and provide local audience measurement
in...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Amagi Media Labs Limited, the only cloud-native SaaS provider offering end-to-end solutions across live production, content preparation, distribution, and monet...
27/01/2026
Miri Technologies Inc. today unveiled its V410 live 4K video encoder/decoder for streaming, IP-based production workflows and AV-over-IP distribution. Designed ...
27/01/2026
The Paul E. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell in Massachusetts has chosen Ikegami cameras for incorporation into its broadcast-quality television production facili...
SBS has announced the appointment of Julie Eckersley as its new Head of Scripted, to oversee an expanding slate of locally commissioned fiction content, and related industry initiatives championing inclusion in the Australian screen sector. 
