Paramount+ orders murder mystery, Playing Gracie Darling from Curio Pictures

Posted on 16 September 2024

Team behind High Country and The Artful Dodger to deliver new series for Paramount+

Paramount+ Australia, Screen Australia and Screen NSW have announced the commission of Paramount+ Original drama series, Playing Gracie Darling, a six-hour scripted drama produced by Curio Pictures. Sony Pictures Television is distributing the series internationally.

The series is created and written by Miranda Nation (Undertow) and directed by Jonathan Brough (Rosehaven, The End).

Playing Gracie Darling, stars Morgana O’Reilly (The White Lotus Season Three, Friends Like Me) playing Joni and features an ensemble cast including Rudi Dharmalingam (Wakefield, Great Expectations) playing Jay, Celia Pacquola (Rosehaven, Love Me) playing Ruth, Annie Maynard who plays Anita (Upper Middle Bogan, Colin From Accounts) and Anne Tenney (The Castle, A Country Practice) playing Moira, with more announcements to follow.

Playing Gracie Darling is executive produced by Curio’s Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, Sophia Mogford for Paramount+ and Miranda Nation. Laura Nagy is on board as associate producer and additional scripts are written by Anya Beyersdorf (Fake).

Gracie Darling synopsis

When Joni was 14, her best friend Gracie Darling disappeared during a séance and hasn’t been seen since.

Twenty-seven years on, the local kids in a small town get their kicks with a game of ‘Playing Gracie Darling’ – but the seemingly innocent game turns sinister when another girl disappears.

Joni, now a child psychologist, returns to the town where her best friend Gracie mysteriously disappeared to confront her deep fear of the unknown and find out what really happened to Gracie that fateful night.

Local sergeant Jay will partner with Joni to uncover the truth, while Gracie’s sister Ruth faces a mother’s worst nightmare when her own daughter vanishes under hauntingly similar circumstances.

Moira, Ruth’s mother, clings to faith as she faces her own worst fears.

Actor Morgana O’Reilly, who plays Joni, said: “I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of this series. I devoured the scripts in one sitting. Joni is a complex, paradoxical woman haunted by ghosts of past and present. I’m especially drawn to the relationship between her and her teenage daughter.

“I know how triggering motherhood can be; when you think you have something well hidden, your kids know how to dig it up. So many skeletons. I can’t wait to get stuck into this character and her world.”

Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, executive producers, Curio Pictures said: “Miranda Nation captured our imagination with her brilliant story ignited by the idea of a seance gone wrong.

Playing Gracie Darling is a unique genre mash of mystery thriller, family drama and coming of age, and this project has continued to draw people to its provocative and propulsive characters with universal themes at its heart.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the creative team that is forming around it, led by Miranda Nation and director Jonathan Brough and our brilliant cast.”

Grainne Brunsdon, Screen Australia COO, said: “Playing Gracie Darling offers a fresh take on the supernatural mystery genre that is sure to captivate audiences both in Australia and abroad. With a strong, award-winning team at Curio and compelling scripts from Miranda Nation and Anya Beyersdorf, this series promises to be a must-watch on Paramount+.”

Kyas Hepworth, head of Screen NSW, said: “Miranda Nation has expertly blended the supernatural, coming of age and crime thriller genres, and with executive producers Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner from Curio Pictures on board, Playing Gracie Darling is sure to be an engrossing and enthralling drama. I’m excited to welcome this project to NSW, with the series creating many fulltime jobs for local cast and crew in the state when it begins shooting in Sydney and regional areas.”

Daniel Monaghan, SVP content and programming, Paramount Australia said: “We are thrilled to bring audiences this premium female led crime thriller. Morgana O’Reilly is a star on the rise. We are so fortunate to have secured her for the lead role along with one of the most impressive ensemble casts this series could have hoped for.”