BBC Dark Comedy ‘Guilt‘ Remade In Australia
Guilt, the dark BBC comedy out of Scotland starring Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives, in being remade in Australia. Production has begun on an Aussie version, which has NITV, SBS, Screen Australia and Screenwest attached, with Kodie Bedford (Return to Paradise, Mystery Road) the writer and exec producer. . BBC Studios Productions Australia is making the show, known locally as Reckless, with Tasma Walton (The Twelve, Mystery Road) and AACTA Award winner Hunter Page-Lochard (The Newsreader, Critical Incident) playing the feuding siblings from the original. They are forced to work together when an accidental hit-and-run death spirals wildly out of control in their hometown, Fremantle. Also cast are Jessica De Gouw (The Couple Next Door), Clarence Ryan (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Jane Harber (Offspring), Tracy Mann (The Twelve), Duncan Fellows (Deadloch), Perry Mooney (Population 11,), Kelton Pell (Mystery Road: Origin), Matthew Dyktynski (Japanese Story), Paul Tassone (The Twelve), Peter Rowsthorn (Kath and Kim), Steve Le Marquand (The Twelve), and newcomer Maddie Young also cast. Beck Cole (Deadloch) is the director, with Andy Walker (Deadloch) the producer. BBC Studios’ Kylie Washington is another exec producer, with Megan Palinkas (Heartbreak High) and Cole co-EPs and Fiona McConaghy (Bay of Fires) is co-producer.
Nine Restructures Streaming & Broadcast Unit
Amanda Laing has made her presence felt at Nine Entertainment, unveiling a restructure of the Streaming and Broadcast division six months after joining the Australian media giant. Several new roles will include responsibility for commercial network Channel 9, on-demand service 9Now and subscription streamer Stan. Michael Healy has been given a key new role as Executive Director, Entertainment, while former Stan chief Cailah Scobie becomes Executive Director, Entertainment Content Acquisitions. The broad restructure also impacts news and sport, while recruiting for a new Chief Strategy Officer – Streaming and Broadcast will begin soon, along with a new marketing boss. There are also changes at state level, with Kylie Blucherm Clive Bingwa and Sean O’Brien getting new posts, while Hamish Turner, Dan Taylor and Tom Malone will take on P+L responsibilities for channels and 9Now, Stan and radio, respectively. Nine Managing Director Streaming and Broadcast Laing said: “There is immense opportunity to drive growth for the Nine Group and strong momentum already underway. “While Nine’s streaming and broadcast brands have enjoyed independent success, our strength lies in the power of the Nine Group and today’s changes are the first step in unlocking that potential.” The changes come into force on July 1. All roles report directly into Laing.
‘The Lemurian Candidate‘ Adds Two
EXCLUSIVE: Psychedelic indie comedy The Lemurian Candidate has added Waltzing with Brando actress Sofia Masson and Emily Hall to its cast, with shooting completed ahead of a planned fall release. The low-budget indie pic, written and directed by Casey Cooper Johnson, follows three former college buddies who reunite for a backpacking trip. The weekend descends into madness and a quest for alien contact after one of them introduces hallucinogens into the mix. Crossing Bridges Films and Visual Narrative Films are the productions houses. Masson is known for roles in films such as the upcoming Waltzing with Brando, while Hall has appeared in Wrong Numbers. Starring Dakota Shapiro, Ben Groh and Oliver Cooper, The Lemurian Candidate was one of the indie films granted SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement approval to shoot during the Hollywood strikes in 2023.
British Short Film Awards Sold To CenterFrame
The British Short Film Awards have been sold to filmmaker platform and community CenterFrame for an undisclosed amount. CenterFrame is planning an annual gala event in central London to spotlight talent following the acquisition. “We’re not just acquiring an event, we’re taking on a legacy,” said Bernhard Pucher, CEO of CenterFrame. “Short films are where bold new voices are born, and with the British Short Film Awards we want to elevate the significance of shorts and give the UK’s best emerging filmmakers a platform that will showcase their talent and genuinely move their careers forward.” The awards’ founder, Tommy Clarke, said that as the event “enters a new chapter under fresh ownership, I’m excited to see it continue to evolve, champion bold new voices, and inspire the next generation of storytellers.” The new edition of the awards will take place in February 2026.
