Aussie content blitz: Showcase event details 25 new and returning Stan Originals

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Nine Entertainment-owned streaming platform Stan has detailed key programming for the remainder of 2024 and beyond. The details were released during a Showcase event at the Sydney Opera House.

Stan key announcements

• Stan announces 25 new and returning Originals, including 17 scripted, 7 documentaries, 1 entertainment series

• Five brand new Stan Originals – psychological crime series Critical Incident, darkly-comedic series Sunny Nights, thriller drama series Watching You, procedural comedic drama Good Cop / Bad Cop starring Leighton Meester and Clancy Brown, and festive Stan Original Film Nugget

• Five Stan Originals to return – Black Snow, Bump, Poker Face, Scrublands and Ten Pound Poms

• Drag Race Down Under returns with new host Michelle Visage

• Four new Stan Original Documentaries – Trailblazers, Revealed: Bribe, Inc., Revealed: KillJoy and Revealed: Malka Leifer

• The cast of the Stan Original Series Invisible Boys, including Joseph Zada, Aydan Calafiore, Zach Blampied, Joe Klocek, Pia Miranda and David Lyons

• The cast of the Stan Original Series Exposure, including Alice Englert and Essie Davis

• Eight Stan Originals still to premiere – Population 11, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Windcatcher, The Surfer, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Revealed: Otto by Otto and Revealed: How to Poison A Planet and Revealed: Renee Gracie

• New acquisitions include action-packed thriller series Nightsleeper, Joan starring Sophie Turner, the return of Spartacus: House of Ashur, high-octane thriller Red Eye, and suspense thriller Hunting Wives

• Returning licensed series including Hacks, From, Bel Air and Twisted Metal and the final instalment of Yellowstone.

The Stan slate includes fresh commissions Critical Incident, Watching You and Sunny Nights, as well Good Cop/Bad Cop starring Hollywood stars Leighton Meester and Clancy Brown.

The slate also sees the return of Black Snow with the return of Travis Fimmel, plus more Bump, Poker Face with Natasha Lyonne, Ten Pound Poms with Michelle Keegan and Scrublands.

Four brand new Original Documentaries, were announced, including Trailblazers, the journey of Australian women’s football. Also three documentaries from Stan’s investigatory Revealed slate – Revealed: Bribe, Inc., uncovering global corruption in the oil industry, Revealed: KillJoy, the story of a family homicide and Revealed: Malka Leifer, a harrowing abuse scandal in Melbourne. The Revealed slate is a collaboration with documentary filmmakers, including Nine’s award-winning journalists, from 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Alice Englert, Essie Davis and Thomas Weatherill will star in the Stan Original Series, Exposure, a psychological thriller that follows a photographer who returns to her hometown after the death of her friend. The LGBTQIA+ Stan Original Series, Invisible Boys, currently filming in Western Australia will see emerging Australian Joseph Zada, Aydan Calafiore, Zach Blampied and Joe Klocek, alongside Pia Miranda and David Lyons.

90 Originals commissioned so far

Since launch, Stan has commissioned over 90 Originals across drama, reality, comedy, features and documentary. Stan has tripled its Australian content over the past three years and commissioned more Australian scripted content than any other streamer or commercial broadcaster in FY23.

Stan chief executive officer Martin Kugeler said: “Stan is exceptionally well positioned in an evolving SVOD landscape, with a clearly differentiated strategy focusing on profitable growth. Our significant investment in Australian premium Stan Originals is a key part of our success and we continue to acquire global hits like Yellowstone and The Walking Dead for Australian audiences. This year, for the first time, we will also stream the Olympic and Paralympic Games live and on-demand on Stan.

“The breadth and depth of our premium exclusive content, and the way in which we market them, supported by the reach of the Nine Group, allows us to compete with international streamers and solidifies our position as one of the most successful single territory SVOD streamers in the world.”

Stan chief content officer Cailah Scobie added: “Stan has always championed exceptional storytelling and premium Australian content across all genres, and this world-class slate of 25 titles exemplifies this. We remain steadfast in our commitment to championing fresh and established creatives, and elevating Australian storytelling through our collaborations with the best local and international talent.

“While our focus is always on Australian audiences, Stan continues to showcase our original productions on a global stage through our international partnerships with the world’s biggest studios and distributors. Stan Originals connect with Australians, and with this diverse and consequential line-up, we continue to deliver what audiences have told us they want on their screens.”

Stan Head of Originals Amanda Duthie continued: “Curating, developing and commissioning a slate of such diverse magnificence relies on the daring, passion and enormous will of a range of screen creatives. Luckily for Stan, this is in abundance with all our collaborators. The Stan Originals slate nurtures the bold and the fearless, drawing across experienced and new talent, and delving into screen stories – documentaries, features and series – that don’t tell us what we think we know, but what we need to know.”

Existing Stan Originals

The new productions join an existing suite of Stan Originals still to premiere, including comedy crime thriller Population 11 starring Ben Feldman premiering Thursday; all episodes will drop at once. A co-production with Sky, the Stan Original Series The Tattooist of Auschwitz, premieres 2 May, and stars Harvey Keitel, Melanie Lynskey, Jonah Hauer-King, Anna Próchniak and Jonas Nay.

Family feature Windcatcher starring Jessica Mauboy in her first film role in 12 years premieres 28 March. Also premiering on Stan will be psychological thriller The Surfer led by Hollywood actor and Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage, and road trip series Thou Shalt Not Steal from director and co-creator Dylan River.

Stan international deals

Stan continues to partner with Hollywood studios and the world’s biggest international distributors including All3Media, AMC, Banijay, BBC, Fremantle, ITV, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros Discovery to bring exclusive premium content from around the world to Australian audiences.

New Stan acquisitions

Alongside the existing slate of global drama, Stan announced it is the home of a slate of new acquisitions. These include action-packed thriller Nightsleeper, a high-octane series following the hacking of a train from Fremantle. Joan starring Sophie Turner as real-life criminal mastermind Joan Hannington from All3Media. A history-bending drama series Spartacus: House of Ashur, a sequel series from STARZ/Lionsgate that arrives more than a decade after the original series’ conclusion. Red Eye from Sony Pictures Television, a high-octane thriller set on a red-eye flight with Richard Armitage and Jing Lusi in lead roles. Suspense drama Hunting Wives from Lionsgate, based on the bestselling novel.

Stan is also the home of three new series in the Walking Dead Universe – Dead City, Daryl Dixon and The Ones Who Live, with Dead City and Daryl Dixon already confirmed for a second season. Other highlights from Stan’s exclusive slate include A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, as well as returning favourites such as Hacks, All American, Sullivan’s Crossing, Ru Paul’s Drag Race All Stars, Bel Air, From, Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book IV: Force and Twisted Metal.

Finally…more Yellowstone

This November, the final season of the global phenomenon Yellowstone starring Oscar-winner Kevin Costner will premiere exclusively on Stan, seeing the conclusion of a series that became a worldwide hit and the #1 drama on US cable television.

Stan announces five new Stan Originals.

CRITICAL INCIDENT

From creator Sarah Bassiuoni, psychological drama series Critical Incident follows a police officer who, in pursuit of a teenage suspect onto a busy train platform, knocks a bystander onto the train tracks, critically injuring him. As an intense investigation commences, the lives of the pursued and the pursuer are thrown into turmoil. Premiering in 2024 and starring Akshay Khanna, Zoë Boe, Roxie Mohebbi, Hunter Page-Lochard, Jai Waetford, Jackson Heywood and Zindzi Okenyo, with Simone Kessell and Erik Thomson. Directed by Neil Sharma and Daniel Nettheim, the series is produced by Matchbox Pictures, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. Major production investment from Screen Australia and Stan. Financed with support from Screen NSW. International sales by All3Media International. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia.

SUNNY NIGHTS

Starting production in 2024, darkly-comedic series Sunny Nights is about how a little bit of sun, a change of scenery, and a touch of violent crime can help a person find their true self. The series follows two siblings who venture to Sydney determined to grow their struggling spray tan business, but when they get caught up in the city’s criminal underworld, they must figure out how to stay alive, out of prison, and in the black. Directed by Trent O’Donnell, with writers Marieke Hardy, Lally Katz, Clare Sladden, Niki Aken, Ty Freer and Nick Keetch. A Jungle Entertainment and Echo Lake Entertainment Production, with major production investment from Stan in association with Screen Australia. Additional finance provided by Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund. International sales by Cineflix and Echo Lake Entertainment.

WATCHING YOU

Based on J.P Pomare’s novel The Last Guests, the Stan Original Series Watching You is a psychological thriller. After her passionate one-night stand is captured by hidden cameras, Lina sets out to unmask an insidious voyeur who threatens to destroy her life. Watching You is adapted for television by creators Alexei Mizin and Ryan van Dijk and produced by Lingo Pictures’ Jason Stephens and executive produced by Lingo Pictures’ Helen Bowden. Produced in association with ITV Studios, who will manage international distribution.

GOOD COP/BAD COP

Stan continues its international collaboration with global content leaders, with procedural comedic drama Good Cop/Bad Cop co-commissioned with The CW and Roku and starring Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl) and Clancy Brown (Billions). The series follows Lou (Meester) and Henry, a sister and brother detective team in a small Pacific Northwest police force who must contend with colourful residents, a serious lack of resources, and their very complicated dynamic with each other and their police chief, Big Hank (Brown) – who happens to be their father. From Will & Grace writer John Quaintance, with Stan Original Series Population 11 creator Phil Lloyd as co-executive producer, production for the eight-part series is due to commence this year in Queensland. Director and Executive Producer Trent O’Donnell will set up the series, alongside Natalie Bailey, Gracie Otto and Corrie Chen. Joining John Quaintance and Phil Lloyd are writers Steve Joe, Julie de Fina, Steve Toltz, Clare Sladden and Sarinah Masukor. A Jungle Entertainment and Future Shack Entertainment, supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. Good Cop / Bad Cop is produced in association with and distributed by ITV Studios.

NUGGET (WT)

Stan continues its slate of homegrown Christmas productions in 2024, with the Stan Original Film Nugget entering production later this year. When her beloved family dog Nugget falls sick over Christmas, a city dermatologist must return home to confront both her dysfunctional family, and the mortality of the one family member that brings them all together. Principal production funding from Screen NSW. Filmed and post-produced in NSW with the assistance of Screen NSW. Directed by Imogen McCluskey, produced by Naomi Just, executive produced by Rob Gibson and Ian Collie, and written by Vic Zerbst and Jenna Owen.

Stan announces the cast of two new Stan Originals.

EXPOSURE

Alice Englert, Essie Davis, Mia Artemis, Thomas Weatherall, and Sean Keenan lead the cast of the Stan Original Series Exposure. A psychological thriller filmed in Sydney and Port Kembla, Exposure follows a photographer returning to her hometown after the death of her best friend, who discovers the hidden secrets of their relationship and the truth of the tragedy. Created by screenwriter Lucy Coleman (Hot Mess) and directed by Bonnie Moir (Love Me), Exposure is produced through Thirdborn by executive producers Nicole O’Donohue, with Shaun Grant and Justin Kurzel. Major production investment from Screen Australia and Stan. Financed with support from Screen NSW. International sales by All3Media International. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW.

INVISIBLE BOYS

From Logie and AACTA award-winning creator/director Nicholas Verso, the Stan Original Series Invisible Boys will complete production this month in Perth and Geraldton, WA. Based on Holden Sheppard’s multi-award winning LGBTQIA+ novel, Invisible Boys is a 10-episode LGBTQIA+ drama starring Joseph Zada, Aydan Calafiore, Zach Blampied, Joe Klocek, Pia Miranda and David Lyons, produced by Tania Chambers for Feisty Dame Productions and Nicholas Verso for Asphodel Films. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Stan. Financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest, and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Distributed internationally by Banijay Rights. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia.

Five breakout Originals returning, exclusive to Stan.

BLACK SNOW S2

With production commencing in Queensland, the second season of the Stan Original Series Black Snow, produced by Goalpost Pictures, will see Travis Fimmel reprise his role as Detective Cormack, as he tackles two separate missing persons cases. One is professional, as he investigates the disappearance of Zoe Jacobs, who disappeared from her own 21st birthday party in 2003. The other is personal, as Cormack searches desperately for his own younger brother, who went missing when they were children. After a smash-hit first season, Director Sian Davies, Executive Producer Rosemary Blight and Series Creator Lucas Taylor return to the series and Helena Brooks joins as Director. Black Snow season two is produced in association with All3Media International and Sundance Now and with financial support from Screen Queensland, Screen NSW and City of Gold Coast.

BUMP S5

Australia’s favourite family will return, with the Stan Original Series Bump confirmed for a fifth season. One of Stan’s most beloved Originals since 2021, Nathalie Morris, Carlos Sanson Jr, Claudia Karvan and Angus Sampson will reprise their roles. Produced by Roadshow Rough Diamond and its founders Dan Edwards and John Edwards, along with co-creators Claudia Karvan and Kelsey Munro. Financed with support from Screen NSW. ITV is managing international sales.

SCRUBLANDS S2

Stan Original Series Scrublands is returning with an adaptation of Chris Hammer’s best-selling second novel Silver, to be filmed in Western Australia, Martin Scarsden has returned to his coastal hometown, Port Silver, to set up a new life with partner Mandy Bond. When he arrives to find his childhood friend Jasper brutally murdered and Mandy the prime suspect, Martin makes it his duty to find the real murderer and absolve Mandy. In the process, he confronts hidden truths about Port Silver and his own long-buried past. Directed by Ben Young, with writers Felicity Packard, Jock Serong and Fiona Kelly. Co-commissioned by Stan and the 9Network, from Easy Tiger and Third Act Stories, produced by Ian Collie, Rob Gibson, Martha Coleman and Felicity Packard. Executive Producers Michael Healy and Andy Ryan from the 9Network and Cailah Scobie and Alicia Brown for Stan. Major production investment from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Developed and Produced with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest. International sales are handled by Abacus Media Rights.

POKER FACE S2

After a star-studded, addictive first season, Rian Johnson’s Stan Original Series Poker Face will return. Starring Natasha Lyonne, the mystery-of-the-week series follows Charlie Cale, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve. The first season featured an all-star guest cast including Adrien Brody, Chloë Sevigny, Benjamin Bratt and Nick Nolte.

TEN POUND POMS S2

The smash hit Stan Original Series Ten Pound Poms will return for a second series, with Michelle Keegan, Warren Brown and Faye Marsay all set to reprise their roles alongside Australian actors Rob Collins, Leon Ford and Stephen Curry. A co-production between Stan and the BBC, Ten Pound Poms is produced by Eleven and written and created by the BAFTA award-winning Danny Brocklehurst, who also executive produces. Joining Danny on the writing team is Australia’s Ryan Griffen alongside Smita Bhide. Season two is directed by Australia’s Ana Kokkinos and the UK’s Tom McKay. The series is supported by Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund.

Stan Originals UNSCRIPTED

DRAG RACE DOWN UNDER

The Stan Original Series Drag Race Down Under will return later this year for a fourth season, with international icon Michelle Visage confirmed as the new host. Also announced is the return of Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, who will be joined on the main stage by Down Under’s glittering drag royalty. This is the first time Down Under queens have been enlisted for their expertise to judge and mentor a new cast of fierce local queens all vying to be Down Under’s next Drag Race Superstar. A World of Wonder production in collaboration with Warner Bros. NZ for Stan Originals in Australia, WOW Presents Plus everywhere else.

TRAILBLAZERS

Showcasing the transformational journey of the Matildas, Australia’s beloved national Women’s Football team, the Stan Original Documentary Trailblazers will premiere on Stan ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Created by an all-female production team, the Stan Original Documentary Trailblazers features past Matildas legends including first captain Julie Dolan, and current stars: Captain Sam Kerr, Vice-Captain Steph Catley, Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter, Teagan Micah, Melissa Barbieri, Kate Gill and Moya Dodd. Trailblazers also features contributions from ex-Socceroos Captain and Stan Sport commentator Craig Foster, coach Tommy Sermanni and the first Indigenous female player Karen Menzies. Trailblazers is a Savage Films, Milestone Films and LM Films Production. Principal Production Funding from Mecca M-Power in association with Screen Australia and VicScreen. Developed with the assistance of VicScreen.

Stan also announces three brand new Original Documentaries in its investigatory Revealed slate.

REVEALED: BRIBE, INC.

Highly acclaimed The Age and 60 Minutes journalist Nick McKenzie uncovers global corruption in the oil industry in the Stan Original Documentary Revealed: Bribe, Inc. Examining Monaco-based business Unaoil’s global bribery scandal and exclusively featuring the whistleblower who brought the crimes into the open, Bribe, Inc. details the company’s audacious corruption and resulting widespread damage, investigating a slew of multi-million dollar bribes paid on behalf of some of the biggest companies in the world. An Australian Canadian collaboration, produced by 1441 Productions, directed by Peter Klein, written and produced by Peter Klein and Calyn Shaw.

REVEALED: KILLJOY

The story of a family homicide, Revealed: KillJoy offers the unique view of family violence from the perspective of the child. Kathryn Joy, whose father killed their mother when they were three months old, embarks on a journey to uncover their mother’s buried story. Produced by Lisa Albert, with associate producers Kathryn Joy and Jess Hill (See What You Made Me Do). Project Advisor Ivan O’Mahoney (Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra, Folau). Directed by Vincenzo Lamberti (Intervention: Stories from the Inside). A Fringe Dweller Films production for Stan. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with The Post Lounge, VicScreen and Shark Island Foundation. Developed with assistance from Shark Island Foundation, VicScreen and Screen Australia.

REVEALED: MALKA LEIFER

Revealed: Malka Leifer explores a harrowing abuse scandal in Melbourne. After years of unspeakable abuse at the hands of their headmistress, three sisters near the end of a quest for justice two decades in the making. Raised in an isolated ultra-orthodox Jewish community, hidden in plain sight in Melbourne’s southeast, the sisters are finally set to face their tormentor in court. It marks the culmination of a saga of betrayal, conspiracy, international intrigue and deep trauma that has taken a huge personal toll. Will the sisters get justice and if so, at what price? Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Stan. Financed with support from Screen NSW, VicScreen and philanthropy via Documentary Australia. The film is produced by Ivan O’Mahoney for In Films, Joel Pearlman and Edwina Waddy Roadshow Films, and directed by Adam Kamien, in association with Fremantle, who will also handle international distribution of the series.

Stan Originals STILL TO PREMIERE

POPULATION 11

Premiering Thursday, American actor and executive producer Ben Feldman leads the Stan Original Series Population 11, a comedy crime thriller filmed in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region. Inspired by true events, Population 11 is about a man who goes missing from a tiny outback town of only twelve residents, and his estranged son, who journeys from the U.S. to find him. The second series to be co-commissioned by Stan and Lionsgate, Trent O’Donnell (New Girl, Hacks) directs and executive produces the series from Jungle Entertainment.

THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ

Premiering May 2, and starring Harvey Keitel and Melanie Lynskey, the Stan Original Series The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a six-part limited drama series based on the international best-selling novel by Heather Morris, and inspired by the real-life story of Lali and Gita Sokolov, who met while prisoners in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust of World War II.

WINDCATCHER

After 12 years, Jessica Mauboy returns to the screen in her first film since The Sapphires. A family feature, the Stan Original Film Windcatcher premieres March 28 and follows the unlikely friendship between Percy Boy and his two friends as they band together to take the local school sports day title from a group of grade five bullies. Stan’s first co-commission with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

THE SURFER

A psychological thriller starring Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon and Miranda Tapsell, the Stan Original Film The Surfer is an intensely unnerving feature film shot in Yallingup, WA. When a man returns to Australia to buy back his family home after many years in the US he is humiliated in front of his teenage son by a group of local surfers. Wounded, he defies them and remains at the beach. Conflict escalates and he is brought to the edge of his sanity.

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL

Directed by AACTA Award-winning filmmaker Dylan River, the Stan Original Series Thou Shalt Not Steal stars Sherry-Lee Watson, Will McDonald, Miranda Otto and Noah Taylor. An eight-episode road series set in Central and South Australia during the 1980s, the series follows a young Aboriginal delinquent searching for the truth behind a mysterious family secret, who escapes from detention and reluctantly teams up with an awkward teenager. Together they flee her small central desert community on a perilous journey across the outback.

REVEALED: OTTO BY OTTO

Inspired to make an intimate family portrait, Gracie Otto directs this feature-length Stan Original Documentary Revealed: Otto by Otto about her father, Barry Otto, whose career in Australian theatre, film and television has spanned more than 50 years. Featuring interviews with Barry’s collaborators, Revealed: Otto on Otto takes audiences on a journey through Australia’s theatre industry in the 70s and 80s.

REVEALED: HOW TO POISON A PLANET

Revealed: How To Poison A Planet, (previously titled Safe To Drink), exposes the shocking contamination of toxic chemicals that sparked an international environmental catastrophe and tells the story of the devastating impacts on contaminated communities who are fighting for justice. In collaboration with Walkley Award-winning journalist Carrie Fellner and The Sydney Morning Herald, spanning from the US to a small Aboriginal community in Australia, taking on its own David and Goliath battle, Revealed: How to Poison A Planet investigates how the use of a product as seemingly harmless as firefighting foam, has resulted in contamination of communities all over the world.

Revealed: How to Poison A Planet is produced by iKandy Films in association with Screen Australia, Shark Island Foundation and Screen NSW.

REVEALED: RENEE GRACIE

Revealed: Renee Gracie follows Australia’s first female race car driver as she attempts to re-enter V8 racing after being pushed out of the sport and becoming a multi-millionaire through online adult entertainment. Written and directed by Frances Elliott and Samantha Marlowe, produced by Cody Greenwood, and executive produced by Nick Batzias and Charlotte Wheaton. Produced by Rush Films. International sales by Rush Films.

See also: First look – Harvey Keitel stars in Stan Original series The Tattooist of Auschwitz