Seven-time Logie winner Asher Keddie (Offspring, The Cry) and AACTA/Logie winner Richard Roxburgh (Rake, Hacksaw Ridge) lead an ensemble cast in the new four-part SBS original drama The Hunting, which goes into production this week in Adelaide.
Joining these screen icons are Sam Reid (Bloom, Lambs of God), Jessica De Gouw (Arrow, Deadline Gallipoli), Luca Sardelis (Nowhere Boys, Deadlock), Yazeed Daher (The Heights, Safe Harbour) and newcomers Kavitha Anandasivam and Alex Cusack.
Rounding out the cast are Pamela Rabe (Wentworth), Leah Vandenberg (The Letdown), Rodney Afif (Ali’s Wedding), Sachin Joab (Lion) Elena Carapetis (Look Both Ways) and Anni Lindner (Wolf Creek TV).
Asher Keddie
Produced by Closer Productions for SBS, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, The Hunting intimately and dramatically imagines the lives of four teenagers, their teachers and families throughout the lead up, revelation and aftermath of a nude teen photo scandal.
When two high school teachers discover students are sharing explicit photos of their underage friends and peers online, the revelation has unbearable consequences for the students and their families. Tackling themes of misogyny, privacy, sexuality and sexualisation, online exploitation, toxic masculinity and gender, the series uses this singular event as a way of exploring some of the most pressing issues of our time and offering a vital portrait of modern, multicultural Australia.
Richard Roxburgh
SBS director of television and online content Marshall Heald said:
“SBS is committed to telling stories that spark debate and drive understanding about some of the uncomfortable and often untold realities impacting contemporary Australia. The Hunting joins SBS’s critically acclaimed slate of local dramas, including Safe Harbour, Sunshine and On The Ropes as an intense and compelling series that delves into what is arguably one of the biggest issues of our ‘social media era’ – cyberbullying.”
Producer/director Sophie Hyde said:
“With The Hunting we explore teens using technology within sexual context and reframe the conversation to be about trust and consent, considering how we are culturally responsible and exploring how we all navigate this. As co-creator and producer of the show I couldn’t be more delighted to work with our skilled, empathetic team and partners to tell this story, and to be joined in directing by Ana Kokkinos, a filmmaking hero of mine, who brings her considerable skills and talent to this vital work.”
Director Ana Kokkinos said:
“This is a powerful, thought-provoking story, imbued with complex characters, and drama with big ideas and questions. It is exciting to be working with such high calibre experienced actors as well as talented newcomers, who between them all, reflect the rich cultural diversity of our society.”
The Hunting is created by Sophie Hyde (Animals, 52 Tuesdays) and Matthew Cormack (52 Tuesdays, F*!#ing Adelaide), directed by Ana Kokkinos (Mustangs FC, Seven Types of Ambiguity) and Sophie Hyde, and produced by Rebecca Summerton (Animals, F*!#ing Adelaide), Sophie Hyde and Lisa Scott (Pine Gap, Janet King).The series is written by Matthew Cormack and Niki Aken (The Secret Daughter, Janet King), executive produced by Sue Masters (SBS). Director of photography is Bonnie Elliott (Palm Beach, Romper Stomper) and editor is Bryan Mason (Animals, 52 Tuesdays).
The Hunting is a Closer Productions production for SBS, with major production investment from SBS and Screen Australia, in association with the South Australian Film Corporation. International sales are handled by DCD Rights.