To celebrate 90 years on air, ABC has announced a new slate of shows to be released throughout the year and into 2023.
ABC Chair Ita Buttrose, AC OBE, said: “For 90 years the ABC has been a vibrant and crucial part of the Australian way of life. We are not just celebrating 90 years since our first broadcast, but 90 years serving the people of Australia as their national broadcaster.
“This is an opportunity for Australians everywhere to celebrate an institution they rely on and love.”
New program highlights include:
• A live two-hour special celebrating ABC’s 90th anniversary, ABC 90 Celebrate!
• Magda’s Big Health Check Magda Szubanski takes a deep dive into the state of our health while reflecting on her own.
• A magical eight-part drama series The Messenger based on the best-selling book by Marcus Zusak.
• Limbo, a comedy series about grief, ghosts and how hard it is to let go of those we love, especially when they’re taken too soon.
• Six famous Australians revisit their pasts through moments drawn from the ABC archives in The ABC Of …. hosted by David Wenham.
• A reflective special celebrating Foreign Correspondent’s 30th Anniversary.
• The ABC’s history of Indigenous programming is examined in a special one-off show Looking Black.
• Highly anticipated new series of the smash hit drama The Newsreader.
• The screen adaptation of the award-winning podcast Take 5 with Zan Rowe.
• It’s a Jungle Out Here. A seven-part live action and wildlife series for ABC ME.
• Delightful new ABC Kids series Reef School, narrated by Emma Watkins.
• Hands on buzzers, get ready to play Spicks and Specks! with ten new episodes.
Spicks and Specks
ABC director of entertainment and specialist Michael Carrington said: “With the increasing amount of global content available to audiences, ABC’s role as the home of Australian stories has never been more vital.
“Our commitment to supporting the local screen industry, nurturing new talent both on and behind the camera and connecting with all Australians through quality content continues to be our priority. The new programs highlighted today, showcase an impressive breadth of Australian storytelling, of which I’m immensely proud.”
New programs:
The ABC Of…. Tuesday 28 June at 8pm
A six-part interview series, hosted by actor David Wenham, in which a range of prominent Australians, icons of one field or more, revisit their pasts through moments drawn from the vast ABC Archives. Guests include Ita Buttrose, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Garry McDonald, Wil Anderson, John Howard and Sarah Ferguson.
David Wenham
ABC 90 Celebrate! Thursday 30 June at 8pm
The ABC turns 90 this year and is inviting all Australians to celebrate the milestone with a special live two-hour television event. Hosts Zan Rowe, Tony Armstrong and Craig Reucassel will lead a night filled with festivities, entertainment, and fun. With cast reunions, special guests, and performances from some of Australia’s biggest acts, it is set to be an incredible night.
Looking Black Tuesday July 5 at 8.30pm
High profile First Nations Australians including Deborah Mailman, Leah Purcell, Bjorn Stewart, Miriam Corowa and Nakkiah Lui, reflect and examine ABC’s history of Indigenous programming.
Magda’s Big Health Check
Over three episodes, national treasure Magda Szubanski embarks on an immersive and personal journey to discover what health looks like in Australia today. She is determined to find the answers she needs about how we can improve our chances of a healthy life in the lucky country. In her inimitable style what she discovers is astounding, meeting everyday Australians and experts who offer real hope for us all to take action!
Magda Szubanski
The Messenger
Based on the best-selling book written by Marcus Zusak, eight-part series The Messenger follows the story of Ed Kennedy who becomes an accidental hero when he stops an armed robbery. The next day he receives four playing cards, each with their own set of tasks. Who is sending them and why has he been chosen to receive them?
The Newsreader Series 2
The critically acclaimed, multi award-winning drama is back. It’s 1987, and newsreaders Helen Norville and Dale Jennings are back on screen delivering the biggest stories of the day. Off screen they’re contending with rising public profiles, intensifying office politics, and a ruthless new CEO.
Limbo
Six-part comedy series about grief, ghosts and how hard it is to let go of those we love, especially when they’re taken too soon. When Charlie’s best friend dies at just 38, he is rudderless and alone… until the wise-cracking ghost of his dead friend begins ‘haunting’ him.
It’s a Jungle Out Here
A hybrid scripted-documentary series for ABC Kids, that weaves a funny live action narrative with quirky wildlife footage. The series follows aspiring filmmakers, 14-year-olds Su and Pharrell behind the scenes of their fictional documentary series Australian Wild, as they try to find the best wildlife in Australia.
Reef School
Welcome to Reef School, where every day is an underwater adventure! Join the little Reefies and their teacher Mr Flip as they discover the extraordinary wonders of an imaginary Australian coral reef. Featuring the voices of Emma Watkins, Courtney Act and Tony Armstrong, Reef School is a 20×11 min series for ABC Kids.
Take 5 with Zan Rowe
Based on the award-winning podcast of the same name, lifelong music nerd Zan Rowe, presents Take 5 with Zan Rowe – an interview show using music to delve deep into the lives of her guests. Across five episodes, icons in music and screen will share five songs they love and explore their connection to this curated soundtrack of their lives.
Soundtrack to Our Teenage Zombie Apocalypse
What do you do when you get trapped in the ABC building during a zombie apocalypse? Write a song about it, of course. Four music obsessed teens are on a mission to win triple j Unearthed High – so the end of the world will have to wait. Soundtrack To Our Teenage Zombie Apocalypse is a 10×30 min ABC ME series offering action-packed, cranked-to-11, zombie-fueled fun.
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Top Image: ABC 90 Celebrate! hosts Craig Reucassel, Zan Rowe and Tony Armstrong