Streaming platform Stan and the 9Network have announced production has commenced on the upcoming Stan Original and 9Network co-commissioned series Bali 2002 – with the four-part series set to premiere later this year on Stan.
The announcement confirms plans outlined by Nine Entertainment Co chief executive Mike Sneesby to Mediaweek just this Monday.
In addition to Stan’s drama slate, Sneesby said: “Things you will see coming out [ from Nine and Stan’s closer co-operation] is a shift in focus in the originals to reality TV programming. We are looking at programming [for Stan] that is evergreen and we have some projects in the pipeline which utilise our reality TV capability at Nine for Stan.”
The new commission announced today is based on the 2002 terrorist attacks on Bali’s tourist hotspots. The four-part series is produced by Screentime and Endemol Shine Australia, with major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW.
Rachel Griffiths
Bali 2002 cast
Starring in the new production are AACTA Award-winners Rachel Griffiths (Total Control) and Richard Roxburgh (Rake), plus Claudia Jessie (Bridgerton), Sean Keenan (Stan Original Film Nitram), Ewen Leslie (Stan Original Series The Gloaming) and Arka Das (upcoming Stan Original Film The Portable Door), alongside a diverse group of Australian and Balinese actors, including Anthony Wong (Stan Original Series The Commons), Paul Ayre (Soul Mates), Maleeka Gasbari (The Heights), Gerwin Widjaja (The Code), Sri Ayu Jati Kartika and more.
The series is written by Justin Monjo (Storm Boy), Kris Wyld (Pulse), Marcia Gardner (Wentworth) and emerging screenwriter Michael Toisuta – with Balinese writer, actor and musician Ketut Yuliarsa (Janggan) as story editor. AACTA Award-winner Peter Andrikidis (Stan Original Series Eden) and Katrina Irawati Graham (upcoming Siti Rubiyah) will direct the series.
Richard Roxburgh
Produced by Kerrie Mainwaring (Stan Original Series Wolf Creek) for Screentime, Tim Pye executive produces, alongside Sara Richardson for Endemol Shine Australia, Michael Healy and Andy Ryan for the 9Network and Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie for Stan.
Stan chief content officer Cailah Scobie said: “Developed in collaboration with world-class creatives from Australia and Indonesia, and in consultation with those directly impacted, Bali 2002 promises to be a powerful, inspiring and sensitively told drama series that pays respect to everyday heroes from Australia, Bali and beyond. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the teams at the 9Network, Screentime and Endemol Shine Australia on the project.”
Nine director of television Michael Healy said: “It is a privilege for the 9Network and Stan to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings with this landmark drama. The Bali bombings were a turning point in Australian and Indonesian history and we are proud to have such an outstanding multinational cast and creative team on this project. Bali 2002 is first of many co-commissions between 9Network and Stan, and we look forward to making more announcements on these collaborations in the coming months.”
Claudia Jessie
Endemol Shine Australia CEO Peter Newman said: “ESA is incredibly proud to produce a series that means so much to so many. Triggered by an event that shocked the world, Bali 2002 is a story of resilience and heroism born from the darkest tragedy. This is a gripping four-part series that is evocative, sensitive and reflective of the stories that have been told directly from those impacted by this event. We are genuinely delighted to be working with our extraordinary cast and amazing team of creatives to realise this landmark series for our partners at Stan and Nine”.
Producer and Screentime head of production Kerrie Mainwaring said: “This is an important story for all Australians. We have worked hard to bring together this terrific cast and team of creatives to honour the story of all those Australians, Indonesians and others who experienced the terrible tragedy in Bali in 2002.”