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15 08 2021 - Media release

Production begins on new Australian drama Love Me

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Hugo Weaving, Bojana Novakovic, Bob Morley

BINGE and Screen Australia today announced production has begun in Melbourne, Australia on a new romantic drama series Love Me, a story about modern love experienced by different family members at three distinct times of life.

The six-part series will be directed by celebrated Australian director Emma Freeman (Stateless, Secret City, Glitch) with lead writer Alison Bell, and writers Leon Ford, Adele Vuko and Blake Ayshford.

Acclaimed Australian actor, Hugo Weaving joins a diverse cast of established performers and rising stars including Bojana Novakovic (I, Tonya, Birds of Prey, Instinct, Shameless, Satisfaction), Bob Morley (The 100), Heather Mitchell (The Unusual Suspects, Palm Beach, Upright), Sarah Peirse (Stateless, Sweet Tooth, The Letdown), Celia Pacquola (Rosehaven, The Beautiful Lie), William Lodder (Wakefield), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Line of Duty), and Mitzi Ruhlmann (The Code).

The series commissioned by the FOXTEL Group will be produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia in association with Aquarius Films and has principal production funding from Screen Australia and Film Victoria.

The series will be produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford (Aquarius Films) and Executive Produced by Michael Brooks and Hamish Lewis (Warner Bros.). Executive Producers for the Foxtel Group are Brian Walsh, Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh.

Alison Hurbert-Burns, BINGE Executive Director, said: “Love Me is a story full of heart, grounded by compelling and relatable characters that Australians will fall in love with. “We are thrilled cameras have begun rolling in Melbourne on this beautifully scripted drama. Love Me continues our passion for bringing Australians the very best entertainment in the world.”

Michael Brooks, Managing Director, Warner Bros. International Television Australia, said: “Love Me marks the first drama series to enter production for Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and excitingly, our first project with BINGE. It’s bold storytelling that we feel will cut through with audiences, being equal parts uplifting, funny and real. With our phenomenal cast and brilliant creative team including Polly and Angie from Aquarius Films, we cannot wait for everyone to enjoy it.”

Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Warner Bros. and BINGE on this fantastic series. Our exceptional creative team, acclaimed cast and wonderfully compelling scripts will combine to create a charming, poignant and life-affirming exploration of love across different generations.”

Sally Caplan, Head of Content at Screen Australia said: “We are thrilled to support this impressive creative team, including talented director Emma Freeman and lead writer Alison Bell, on Warner Bros.’ first scripted Australian drama. Dealing with themes of grief and finding happiness, Love Me has a lot of charm, and I’m confident it will connect with Australian audiences.”

Caroline Pitcher, CEO, Film Victoria said: “As Australia’s home of high-end television, Melbourne is the natural location for Love Me. Like the series, our city is also full of heart, soul and social connectedness, and Victorians Alison Bell and Emma Freeman will gain creative inspiration from this as they work with our expert crew and screen businesses to bring these modern love stories to life.”

Love Me is based on the acclaimed Swedish series, ÄLSKA MIG, created by Josephine Bornebusch. Production has now begun across various locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria. The series will be available to BINGE and FOXTEL customers.

Production credit: Love Me is a Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia production for the FOXTEL Group. Major production investment from Screen Australia and financed with support from Film Victoria through production investment and the Regional Location Assistance Fund.

ABOUT the FOXTEL Group: The Foxtel Group is Australia’s leading subscription television company with more than 4 million subscribers. We provide the best range of Australian and international movies, entertainment, lifestyle, documentaries, news and sport through a range of broadcast and streaming services to suit the needs of every Australian. Our three retail brands include Foxtel, our premium all in one place entertainment service, Kayo Sports Australia’s leading sports streaming service with over one million subscribers, and BINGE, our entertainment streaming service. The Foxtel Group also includes Fox Sports, our sports production company, and Foxtel Media, our innovative advertising sales business.

ABOUT BINGE: BINGE is Australia’s fastest growing entertainment streaming service, packed with the world’s best shows and movies by the best in the business, ad-free and on demand. With the biggest collection of unturnoffable drama, reality, lifestyle, movies and documentaries - nothing gets on your screen unless it’s binge-worthy, award-worthy, share-worthy or all-time-favourite worthy.

ABOUT WARNER BROS. INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION PRODUCTION AUSTRALIA: Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia is one of Australia’s largest and most exciting production companies, producing award-winning television for audiences both here in Australia and around the world. The company has secured a reputation as a trusted production partner and a passionate producer of outstanding Australian television. It remains committed to telling great stories, developing exciting formats and creating and producing content that will engage audiences worldwide.

ABOUT SCREEN AUSTRALIA: Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting the development, production and promotion of Australian scripted and documentary content. The agency funds productions for television, film and online. Screen Australia also administers Australia’s Official Co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset tax rebate which assists eligible Australian and Official Co-productions to be made. The agency provides a range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence and special initiatives.

ABOUT FILM VICTORIA: Film Victoria is the Victorian State Government agency that provides strategic leadership and assistance to the film, television and digital media sectors of Victoria. Film Victoria aims to increase screen activity in Victoria and be a responsive advocate for the screen industry. Film Victoria does this in a range of ways: through funding the production and development of screen content, industry placements, filming incentives, location assistance, industry events, partnership activities and other support, all which help develop and strengthen the Victorian screen industry. For more information visit film.vic.gov.au.

ABOUT AQUARIUS FILMS: Aquarius Films is an award-winning production company founded by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford, which has built a reputation for high quality, prestige films and television series that are commercially successful and critically acclaimed. Recent credits including the Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominated Lion, produced in association with See-Saw Films; Berlin Syndrome which premiered at Sundance and Berlinale in 2017; Dirt Music, adapted from Tim Winton’s much-loved novel; and Wish You Were Here which premiered at Sundance and won two Australian Academy of Cinema and TV (AACTA) Awards, including Best Screenplay, and five Film Critics Circle Awards, including Best Film. Aquarius’ TV credits include The Unusual Suspects; Born to Spy; The Other Guy (Seasons 1 & 2); and The Unlisted a YA sci-fi thriller.

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