Stan and Screen Australia have announced three brand new Stan Original series have been commissioned for production, created in collaboration with award-winning and emerging Australian writers, directors, producers and screen creatives.
Each series has been developed with support from funding partners such as Screen NSW, Screenwest, Lotterywest, the WA Regional Screen Fund, Screen Territory and the South Australian Film Corporation, and international partners DCD Rights, All3Media International and Banijay Rights.
These new additions to the scripted slate demonstrate Stan’s increasing commitment to telling authentic and original Australian stories. Collaborating with Australian production companies Ludo Studio, THIRDBORN and Feisty Dame Productions, Stan continues to invest in diverse narratives from leading Australian creative teams, to deliver a compelling slate of original content for Australian audiences.
Thou Shalt Not Steal is an eight-episode road series set in Central and South Australia in the 1980s. On a search for the truth behind a mysterious family secret, Robyn, a young Aboriginal delinquent, escapes from detention and reluctantly teams up with awkward teenager Gidge.
Together they flee her small central desert community on a perilous journey across the outback, finding answers and learning some hard life lessons along the way. Hot on their heels are Maxine, a sex trafficker whose taxi Robyn stole, and Gidge’s domineering father Robert, a fraudulent preacher.
Commissioned by Stan and distributed by DCD Rights, Thou Shalt Not Steal has received major production investment from Screen Australia with support from the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen Territory and by Screen Queensland’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Incentive. Developed with assistance of Stan and Screen Australia, Thou Shalt Not Steal is directed by AACTA Award-winning filmmaker Dylan River (Mystery Road: Origin, Robbie Hood) who also serves as co-creator alongside AACTA Award-winning executive producer Tanith Glynn-Maloney (Finding Jedda, She Who Must Be Loved, Robbie Hood). The series is executive produced for multi-Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning Ludo Studio by Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson (Bluey, Robbie Hood), and Sophie Miller (The Family Law), alongside producer Sam Moor (Bluey).
Exposure is a six-episode bold and unapologetic mystery-thriller set in coastal NSW. It follows photographer Jacs Gould who, following the death of her best friend, returns to her hometown to discover the hidden secrets of their relationship and the truth behind her tragedy.
Commissioned by Stan and distributed by All3Media International, Exposure has received major production investment from Screen Australia and Stan, with support from Screen NSW. Exposure is written and created by Lucy Coleman (Hot Mess) and directed by Bonnie Moir (Love Me S2). The series is produced through THIRDBORN by award-winning producers Nicole O’Donohue (Love Me, Frayed), with Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant (Stan Original Films Nitram and True History of the Kelly Gang).
Based on the book by multi-award-winning author Holden Sheppard, Invisible Boys is a 10-episode contemporary drama series set in the regional town of Geraldton, Western Australia. In a small town everyone thinks they know you: but when a closeted gay teen’s hook-up with a married man is revealed on social media, it will have irreversible consequences for a group of teens who have previously been invisible.
Commissioned by Stan, international distribution handled by Banijay Rights, with major production investment from Screen Australia and Stan, and support from Screenwest, Lotterywest, and the WA Regional Screen Fund, Invisible Boys is created and directed by Logie Award-winning creator Nicholas Verso (Crazy Fun Park, Boys in the Trees) alongside an impressive writing team including Enoch Mailangi, Walkley Award-winning writer Alan Clarke, author Holden Sheppard, and artistic director of Griffin Theatre, Declan Greene. The series is produced by Tania Chambers (How to Please a Woman) and Verso. Invisible Boys was commissioned following a joint Stan and Screenwest development initiative, designed to foster local talent and spark the development of new series in WA.
Stan chief content officer Cailah Scobie said: “Bound to captivate a diverse range of Australian audiences, these three new Stan Original Series highlight our strong commitment to invest in local content that champions Australian voices and narratives. These unique dramas have attracted prestigious international partners – DCD Rights, All3Media International and Banijay Rights – signifying the global reach and relevance of Stan Original content.
“We are thankful to the Australian writers, directors, producers and filmmakers involved in the projects, and the ongoing support of Screen Australia, alongside our other key partners Screen NSW, Screenwest, Lotterywest, the WA Regional Screen Fund, Screen Territory and the South Australian Film Corporation.”
Screen Australia head of content Grainne Brunsdon said: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the power of Australian storytelling! We’re thrilled to partner once again with Stan to invest in Australian stories with these three compelling series. Each of these projects represents the rich tapestry of our local talent and narratives, and we are incredibly proud to support them.
“The collaboration between Stan, Screen Australia, and our state funding partners demonstrates a collective commitment to championing authentic and original storytelling. We look forward to seeing these series captivate audiences both locally and on a global scale, showcasing the depth and creativity of our local screen industry.”
Jennie Hughes, director of Screen Territory, said: “Screen Territory is incredibly proud to support the production of Thou Shalt Not Steal, which marks the second collaboration between Since 1788 Productions and Ludo, following the critically acclaimed and successful series Robbie Hood.
“With Dylan River and Tanith Glynn-Maloney returning to film once again in their hometown of Alice Springs, we anticipate a series that will captivate audiences, challenge perceptions, and leave a lasting impact! Dylan River brings a unique style as a director with an idiosyncratic blend of raw authenticity, beautiful visual storytelling and a twist of Territorian humour. The combined vision and storytelling expertise of Dylan and Tanith is sure to be a winning formula.”
Kate Croser, South Australian Film Corporation CEO, said: “The SAFC is delighted to welcome Stan back to South Australia for Thou Shalt Not Steal, the latest exciting series to come from our successful production partnership following international hit series The Tourist and feature films Gold and A Sunburnt Christmas. We are pleased to welcome multi-Emmy Award winning Ludo Studio to the state as they establish their production base for the series here in Adelaide, bringing with them the exceptional talents of NT writer/director/producer team Dylan River and Tanith Glynn-Maloney. This thrilling new First Nations-led production will take advantage of iconic road trip locations through the central corridor of Australia, showcasing some of South Australia’s stunning Outback landscapes.”
Kyas Hepworth, head of screen NSW, said: “It was clear after Hot Mess that Lucy Coleman was extremely talented at digging deep and getting to the raw truth of the contemporary female experience. Pairing her voice with series director of Exposure Bonnie Moir alongside Nicole O’Donohue, Justin Kurzel, and Shaun Grant can only help her star rise and result in a thrilling series that is sure to resonate with audiences.”
Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO, said: “Screenwest is beyond excited to see local production company Feisty Dame secure a Stan Original Series based on a homegrown West Australian story! The WA screen sector is experiencing its busiest year to date with local creatives, crew and production companies making unprecedented levels of screen content, showcasing WA stories and locations to audiences around the world. Congratulations to Tania, Nick and Holden! We look forward to seeing Invisible Boys move into production in the Mid West in the near future.”
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Top image, left to right, top and bottom: Dylan River, Bonnie Moir, Nicholas Verso, Lucy Coleman