Variety has recently reported Rebel Wilson and David Wenham will star in Les Norton, an Australian drama series adapted from collection of Robert G. Barrett’s novels. The series will be produced by The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Australia.
Wilson will be known to American audience’s as the character ‘Fat Amy’, from the film trilogy Pitch Perfect, while Wenham has starred in an ensemble of films such as The Lord of the Rings, 300, and just recently Netflix’s Original Series Iron Fist.
Set during the 1980’s, the series will follow the journey of a young man from Queensland, played by newbie Alexander Bertrand (Hyde & Seek and Australian Gangster) as he runs from a troubled past. Shortly after arriving in Sydney, he takes on a job as a bouncer at an illegal casino. Although not use to the lifestyle and desperate to get home, he soon finds himself seduced by the big city’s underground crime scene.
“Les Norton is an affable character that has proven popular with audiences in the best-selling book series. What excites me about this TV adaptation is that the creative team have included a slew of new female roles to go head on with the male characters established in the books,” Screen Australia’s Sally Caplan said.
The series’ directing roster includes Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker), Fadia Abboud (Australian Gangster), David Caesar (Dead Lucky and Underbelly) and Morgan O’Neill (Solo) so far as upcoming episode directors.
Morgan O’Neill also created the series for television and will work with writers: Samantha Winston (Wentworth), Shanti Gudgeon (Wolf Creek), Christopher Lee (Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo), Malcolm Knox (Romper Stomper) and Jessica Tuckwell as series’ writers.
Production company Roadshow Rough Diamond (Daniel Edwards and John Edwards ), will produce the drama. They were also responsible for the 2017 series Romper Stomper and the upcoming Australian Gangster show. Sally Riley is confirmed as executive producer with Andrew Gregory; Deeper Water Films’ John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz; and John Singleton and Jack Singleton.