The second season of Last King of the Cross has just launched on Paramount+. The eight-episode series again comes from executive producer Mark Fennessy and Helium Pictures.
Eighteen months ago, Fennessy explained to Mediaweek the series was initially planned as a three-part fictionalised drama based on three decades in Ibrahim’s life – 80s, 90s and 2000s. With 10 episodes or the first outing, and eight for the second, Fennessy said the plan is still to make a third season. But he noted that might need just six episodes to wrap up the story.
“The way that season two finishes, we could easily finish it at that point,” he noted, in case there is no commission for more.
“We’ve obviously got to have those discussions with Paramount in due course, subject to the performance of season two. They’re delighted with how season one went.
“It ticked every box for them. It was a big success for Paramount and they’ve been really supportive. I’ve got no reason to believe at this stage that there won’t be a third one. We certainly finish on a really natural kind of ending point if we only end up doing the two series.”
Having more episodes to sell to international buyers make it better proposition, said Fennessy. “It’s actually quite challenging in the current climate to sell a scripted series that’s only six or eight episodes. Buyers want the potential for it to do two or three seasons. We’re in very challenging times right now and the whole TV ecosystem is changing.
“If we eventually make 24 all up, it makes it infinitely more saleable to multiple territories.”
Naveen Andrews plays Oxford Street nightclub mogul
Last King of the Cross Season 2 plot
“It is a fictionalised series and I do have to make that point,” said Fennessy as he started talking about the second season.
“The primary antagonist in season two is a fictional character, played by Naveen Andrews. We did have some signposts to work towards, given the fact that the series is really the story of John’s book.
“We learned a lot out of season one. It was a very big undertaking with over 350 speaking parts and an 18-week shoot, four directors over five blocks.
“It was a bit of a beast. But it was a great experience and we were all delighted with the positive feedback.”
Fennessy was reluctant to be drawn on the budget for that first season. It looked expensive, but all he would tell us was that it was significantly less than one reported amount which claimed $50m.
For season two, Helium Pictures was again able to use the Darlinghurst Road set it recreated at Raging Waters theme park in Western Sydney.
Filming took part in summer of 2023. Fennessy said some of the days the mercury climbed very high – “It was searing heat. One day out on set, I held up my phone and showed it to John and some of the crew – it was 47 degrees.
With two less episodes this season, Helium Pictures saw the shoot reduced from 18 weeks to 13.
Lincoln Younes as John Ibrahim trying to blend in on Oxford Street
The new series is all about the nightclub action if a different part of Sydney
Fennessy: “All the activity, the crowds, the business, the energy, all moved to Oxford Street in those booming clubs along Oxford Street. At the time there were clubs like Big Blossom, Good Bar, and DCMs.
“John moved his focus to those clubs. At one stage, he owned 11 or 12 of them.
“John is an exceptional businessman. He was very street smart.”
John Ibrahim’s involvement in Last King of the Cross S2
“John’s fascinated in the entire production process. He’s a very fast learner, and he’s heavily involved in the scripting.
“There’s more of the Ibrahim family in season two which presents some sensitivities and some challenges for him.”
Ibrahim was fascinated with the art of filmmaking and drama production.
“By season two, he’s an expert in every role on the production,” said Fennessy. “He makes incredibly great suggestions. The writing team really benefited from that and welcomed his involvement.”
Season two starts in Ibiza. Helium used stock footage for some of the location shots and then filmed in a Sydney party location. There is also a Spanish prison recreated which Fennessy found near La Perouse in Sydney’s east.
Does Kyle Sandilands show up in new season?
One of John Ibrahim’s great friends is Kyle Sandilands. The breakfast radio host told his listeners once his character might make it into season two. So does that happen?
“Yes,” said Fennessy. “Someone plays Kyle, and does a very good version of Kyle. It’s a bit of a blink and you’ll miss it appearance. There’s a very funny moment in the last episode with Kyle that I’ll leave for viewers to discover.
“It’s how Kyle wanted to be depicted to a degree and it’s typical of his sense of humour. He came out on set on one occasion. He and John are very close friends. Kyle has always been a great supporter of the series.