‘Hamilton’ to Return to Australia, With Jason Arrow Reprising Title Role

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Filming has begun on “Return to Paradise,” an Australian spin-off series of the global hit murder mystery franchise “Death in Paradise.” With filming in locations across Sydney and the Illawarra coastal region, the six-part whodunit is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC in association with the BBC. The BBC will screen the series on BBC One and iPlayer in the U.K.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Vikings” star Travis Fimmel reprises his role as Detective Cormack in a second season of Australian mystery drama series “Black Snow.” The six-part series is now shooting in Queensland, Australia, and has unveiled first-look images. “Australian film and television have never been stronger. Now, with the addition of streaming networks and their reach, I’m so proud that our local productions and their hard work can be recognized not only here, but around the world,” said Fimmel in a prepared statement. The first season of “Black Snow” was nominated as ‘most outstanding drama series’ at the 2023 Logie Awards and received two nominations at the 2024 AACTA Awards – for best drama series and best lead actor in a drama, for Fimmel.

Lewis Hamilton is producing a Formula 1 movie with Joseph Kosinski starring Brad Pitt.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Charter Communications is about to play a guest-star role in the corporate drama surrounding Paramount Global. As if Shari Redstone’s media empire wasn’t under enough pressure, Paramount Global now is in the final few weeks of its most recent carriage agreement with Charter, the nation’s second largest cable operator behind Comcast. The two companies are in renewal discussions, the outcome of which will have significant influence on Paramount’s ability to deliver the free cash flow that media investors are expecting from the company that has lately posted big losses on streaming operations.

Fool Me Once star Michelle Keegan is back to work in Australia, with the BBC sharing a behind-the-scenes picture of her on the set of Ten Pound Poms.The series stars Michelle as Kate Thorne, a British woman who departs post-war Britain for Australia, having been promised a better quality of life for just £10. In the sneak-peek at series two, Michelle looks completely different, dressed in 1950s attire in a stripey top and linen blue bottoms.

Iconic cast members from the long-running Australian soap Neighbours are coming to Manchester next year to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Australia’s Seven West Media and its Seven network may risk reputational damage following Federal Court revelations in Sydney on Thursday and Friday. The defamation case was brought by former Liberal Party political aide Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson. It does not directly involve Seven.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Lord of the Rings,” “Elvis” and “Faraway Downs” star David Wenham is to reprise one of other his best-known roles in upcoming feature “SPIT.” The picture is a sequel to 2003 comedy crime thriller “Gettin’ Square,” in which Wenham played Johnny ‘Spit’ Spitteri, a recently-released ex-convict and Sam Worthington (“Avatar”) played an older brother trying to keep the kid out of trouble. Production of “SPIT” has got underway in Gold Coast and Brisbane, Queensland and will continue through May. The new film is directed by ‘Gettin’ Square” and “The Railway Man” director Jonathan Teplitzky, from a screenplay by Queensland-based writer and lawyer Christopher Nyst. It is produced by Trish Lake of Queensland-based Freshwater Pictures alongside Greg Duffy, Felicity McVay and Wenham. It received major production investment from Screen Australia with local distribution by Transmission Films and international rights sales managed by Moviehouse Entertainment.

A Knuckles-focused television show is coming to Paramount+!

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Romantic comedy series “Top End Bub” will begin production next month in Australia as a sequel to hit 2019 feature film “Top End Wedding.” Stars Miranda Tapsell (“The Sapphires”) and Gwilym Lee (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) will reprise their roles. The series is created, executive produced and written by “Top End Wedding” writers Joshua Tyler and Tapsell and produced by Goalpost Pictures.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Veteran Chinese director Zhang Yimou will be presented with a lifetime achievement award at the upcoming edition of the Festival of Far East Film in Italy’s Udine (April 24 – May 2). The lineup will include three films by Zhang: his 2023 political thriller “Under the Light” in its competition section; as well as “To Live” and “Raise the Red Lantern” in its restored classics section. The festival’s total lineup includes 74 films in total – 47 in competition and 28 out of competition) from 11 countries.

Coronation Street's Amy Robbins, who plays Daisy Midgeley's (Charlotte Jordan) estranged mum Christina Boyd, was so excited to join the cast that she cried when she first heard she got the part. Christina made her first appearance on the show last year and is gearing up to strut down those famous cobbles once more. But what might be a surprise to some is that this isn't Amy's first time starring in a soap.

Taylor Swift‘s dad Scott Swift will not face charges in Australia following an incident that happened with a photographer last month.

Coronation Street star Alex Bain has confirmed that he's returned to the soap's production site as he shared a sneaky snap behind-the-scenes.The actor, who has played Simon Barlow on the soap for 15 years, is set to bow out of the cobbles in the next few months but now he's left fans wondering why he's back as he teased at being 'home'. Since he first stepped foot on the cobbles, Alex has been at the centre of some gripping storylines, including domestic abuse and a dramatic plot where he lashed out at his cousin, Amy Barlow. His character was previously revealed as the abuser with his on-screen mum Leanne Battersby being the victim.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Shayda,” a breakout indie movie from Noora Niasari, and Kitty Green’s high-temperature drama “The Royal Hotel” were named best film winners at the annual SPA Awards, presented by the Screen Producers Australia association. The ceremony took place Thursday at Queensland’s Gold Coast, during the annual Screen Forever conference. The event was hosted by actor and comedian Matt Okine. Production company Werner Film, which this week announced its acquisition by the BBC, took three awards including the coveted Media Super Production Business of the year prize. “It’s clear that our production community continues to thrive in the face of a rapidly changing landscape.

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has reportedly been quietly working from home on a childcare project that's close to her heart. After her abdominal surgery at the London Clinic in January, she's now slowly getting back to normal life and work.Today, March 21, a report will be published about her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which funded a trial of a baby observation tool.

Everyone’s favorite X-Men are heading out for a new season of adventures in the Disney+ series X-Men 97, and the show is off to a fantastic start!

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Five months of production has been completed on Jacob Elordi-starring drama series “The Narrow Road to the Deep North,” which is set in the “Euphoria” and “Saltburn” star’s native Australia. An adaptation of the Booker Prize-winning novel by Richard Flanaghan, the five-part series is love-story set against the backdrop of World War II. Elordi portrays Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrigo Evans and co-stars with Odessa Young (“Mothering Sunday,” “Shirley”).

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief A trio of seasoned Australian television industry figures are launching a new production company, Lantern Pictures. They aim to produce a slate of independent TV content and to help implant the U.S. system of creative showrunners into the Australian scene.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Australian TV producer Bunya Entertainment says that Sophia Zachariou will step down as co-managing director, after a five-year stint. Bunya Entertainment is one part the Bunya Group of companies and was established by Zachariou, David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin in 2019. Zachariou is currently in post-production on “The Office” (Amazon) and “Ladies in Black” (ABC) and will deliver these series before she departs the company.