Paramount+ will exclusively stream the new Australian original drama More Than This, on Friday, March 4.
The ground-breaking six-part series, written by teens for teens, follows the story of five 17-year-old students and their teacher, whose diverse worlds collide when they are thrown together into a Year 12 English class.
It explores the unique challenges facing Australian teenagers as they come of age: social, family and school pressures, bullying, body image, relationships and sexuality.
The series was co-created and written by 19-year-old lead actor Olivia Deeble, best known for her roles Home and Away and the Disney film The Secret Society of Second Born Royals, alongside co-creator by 18-year-old Luka Gracie, a trans non-binary actor and filmmaker.
More Than This stars Kamil Ellis (Nowhere Boys), Ellmir Asipi (Neighbours), model/actor Josh Heuston (Dive Club) and Oisin O’Leary (Little Lunch).
It also features Celine Ajobong (Mustangs FC), Tharanya Tharan (Mustangs FC) and newcomer Selena Brincat, with theatre and television regular Bert Labonte as their teacher.
Deeble began writing the series when she was just 17 and while completing Year 12 during Melbourne’s lockdown.
She said: “I had auditioned for and watched hundreds of high school shows and they were all the same. None of them were telling anything near my truth or experience, so I wanted to make something authentic. I asked my friends what they would want to see on screen and the answer was ourselves: real teens and not shiny, airbrushed versions of teenagers played by 25-year-olds with adult bodies and adult confidence.
“I am really proud of More Than This. I feel like the characters, words and story are our own, and it is a realistic depiction of how Australian teenagers feel while still being a great series with a whole lot of characters you can fall in love with,” she added
The series is produced by television veteran Kate Gorman who said: “More Than This has found the perfect home at Paramount+. This show is breaking new ground, having been created by teens and telling stories from their point of view. It has been such a pleasure to work with the very talented cast and see their individuality, uniqueness and passions brought together in this amazing series. I can’t wait for the world to meet this young cast and fall in love with the diverse characters they have created.”
Daniel Monaghan, SVP content and programming, 10 ViacomCBS, said: “We are thrilled to have partnered with ACTF to bring the incredible drama More Than This for Paramount+. It is a sensational series with an extremely talented, creative, and young cast that are a force to be reckoned with. We are so pleased we can showcase these unique Australian stories, by such a talented Australian team.”
More Than This is a Baby Banksia production, produced in association with Big Finish Creative, Shapeshifter Studios and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
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Top image: Kamil Ellis (as Alex ) and Olivia Deeble (as Charlotte)