Picnic At Hanging Rock Sold To Amazon U.S.

21 07 2017 - Media release Picnic At Hanging Rock Sold To Amazon U.S.

Samara Weaving, Madeleine Madden, Natalie Dormer and Lily Sullivan star in Picnic At Hanging Rock. Photo supplied by FremantleMedia Australia. Taken by Ben King

Foxtel's upcoming event drama series Picnic at Hanging Rock is the latest Australian series to be added to the Amazon Prime Video U.S. line-up following a deal with FremantleMedia International. The epic new series, starring Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, In Darkness) as English headmistress Mrs Hester Appleyard, is a re-imagining of Joan Lindsay's timeless Australian novel.

Picnic at Hanging Rock will have its world premiere on Foxtel in Australia in 2018. It is a FremantleMedia Australia production made with key production investment from Screen Australia. The series was shot in Victoria, with the significant assistance of the Victorian Government through Film Victoria.

Brian Walsh, Foxtel s Executive Director of Television, suggests the sale of Picnic At Hanging Rock marks the largest U.S. commercial deal ever for an Australian television series.

The placement ensures that U.S. audiences will see the outstanding craftsmanship of the Australian film and television industry on display, including the performances of an illustrious group of acting newcomers, who will now have their careers launched on the world stage, said Mr Walsh.

This is a landmark moment for our industry and for Australian storytelling. We are absolutely thrilled for everyone involved."

The Appleyard College student roles are filled with an exciting contingent of rising stars, including Lily Sullivan (Camp, Jungle) as Miranda Reid, Madeleine Madden (Tomorrow When The War Began, High Life) as Marion Quade, Samara Weaving (Monster Trucks, The Babysitter) as Irma Leopold, Ruby Rees (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries) as Edith Horton and introducing Inez Curro as Sara Waybourne.

Picnic at Hanging Rock will plunge viewers into the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and one teacher on Valentine's Day 1900, taking the audience on a new journey into the revered Australian novel. The complex, interwoven narrative follows the subsequent investigation and the event's far-reaching impact on the students, families and staff of Appleyard College, and on the nearby township.

Commenting on the deal, Caroline Kusser, SVP, Sales & Distribution for FremantleMedia International in North America said, The stylish re-imagining of the provocative Picnic at Hanging Rock story will no doubt capture contemporary audiences across the U.S. With fantastic scripts, outstanding cast and bold editorial direction from Larysa Kondracki, Picnic at Hanging Rock is set to be a must-see series in 2018. We are thrilled to be working with Amazon Prime Video to bring this powerful drama to U.S. screens.

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Foxtel. Executive producers are FremantleMedia Australia's Jo Porter and Anthony Ellis and Foxtel's Penny Win, script producer and establishing writer is Beatrix Christian, Writer Alice Addison, producer Brett Popplewell, directors are Larysa Kondracki, Michael Rymer and Amanda Brotchie. For Amazon, the series will be overseen by Amazon Studios' Head of International Series Morgan Wandell.

Media enquiries: Steven Murphy | Head of Communications Australia & Asia, FremantleMedia

61 2 9434 0687 | 61 413 842 932 | Steven.Murphy@fremantlemedia.com.au

Jumana Rizwan | Head of Global PR, FremantleMedia

44 207 691 6114 | 44 7774 035317 | jumana.rizwan@fremantlemedia.com

Jamie Campbell | Director of Publicity and Talent, Foxtel

61 2 9813 7315 | 61 418 269 088 | jamie.campbell@foxtel.com.au

Media enquiries Jane Alexander | Senior Publicist

61 2 8113 5833 | 61 400 940 682 | jane.alexander@screenaustralia.gov.au

Clio Anne Ellis | Publicity and Events Coordinator

61 2 8113 1091 | 61 450 492 745 | clio.ellis@screenaustralia.gov.au

All other general/non-media enquiries Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | info@screenaustralia.gov.au

LINK:	https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2017/07-21-pic...
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