Les Norton

Les Norton

ABC AND SCREEN AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE NEW DRAMA SERIES LES NORTON STARRING REBEL WILSON

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Australia have today announced production funding for a new 10-part drama series Les Norton, based on the best-selling novels by Robert G. Barrett. The series is a Roadshow Rough Diamond production with Sonar Entertainment handling international distribution.

Set in 1985, the series will follow the exploits of Les Norton, a country bloke from outback Queensland. On the run from a troubled past, he blows into Sydney where he lands a job as a bouncer at a notorious illegal casino in Kings Cross. A classic fish out of water who’s desperate to get home, he soon finds himself seduced by the city’s illicit charms and dragged into a web of underground criminality.

International comedy star Rebel Wilson ( Isn’t It Romantic , Pitch Perfect , Bridesmaids ) and audience and critic favourite David Wenham ( Romper Stomper , Wake in Fright , Top of the Lake ) headline an exciting cast who’ll bring 1980s Kings Cross to life, with the series’ eponymous hero to be played by up-and-coming actor Alexander Bertrand ( Australian Gangster , Hide & Seek ).

Les Norton will be directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse ( The Dressmaker , Proof ), Fadia Abboud ( Australian Gangster ), David Caesar ( Dead Lucky, Underbelly ) and Morgan O’Neill ( Drift, Solo ). It has been created for television by Morgan O’Neill, working alongside writers Christopher Lee ( Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo ), Samantha Winston ( Wentworth ), Shanti Gudgeon ( Wolf Creek ), Malcolm Knox ( Romper Stomper ), and Jessica Tuckwell.

It will be produced by Daniel Edwards and John Edwards from production company Roadshow Rough Diamond, who produced 2017 drama series Romper Stomper and the upcoming series Australian Gangster . ABC Head of Drama, Comedy & Indigenous Sally Riley will work as Executive Producer with Andrew Gregory; Deeper Water Films’ John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz; and John Singleton and Jack Singleton.

“Les and his reprobate mates are caught up in a Sydney that was at its most debauched in the ‘80s, and the show’s blackly hilarious as a consequence,” John Edwards said.

ABC’s Sally Riley says: “We are over the moon that Les Norton has lured such a stellar cast and creative team to bring the novels to life. Les Norton is shaping up to be an enviable addition to the ABC’s 2019 drama slate”.

Head of Content at Screen Australia, Sally Caplan said: “Les Norton is an affable character that has proven popular with audiences in the best-selling book series. What excites me about this TV adaptation is that the creative team have included a slew of new female roles to go head on with the male characters established in the books.”

Create NSW Acting Director of Screen Investment, Engagement & Attraction Sally Regan said, “This adaptation of Robert G. Barrett’s classic Aussie larrikin character will undoubtedly bring a smile to a wide audience across the country. Backed by a strong production team, Robert’s popular books are perfect for screen adaptation and we look forward to seeing Les’ ‘fish out of water’ escapades unfold.”

Les Norton is a Roadshow Rough Diamond production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC, in association with Create NSW.

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This has been a long time in coming. They were going to do a movie based on the first book back in 2004.

Les Norton will be played by Alexander Bertrand.

Les Norton casting

ABC’s 10-part drama series Les Norton began filming last week in Sydney.

Les Norton stars Rebel Wilson ( Isn’t It Romantic , Pitch Perfect , Bridesmaids ), David Wenham ( Romper Stomper , Top of the Lake ) and up and coming Australian actor Alexander Bertrand ( Australian Gangster , Hyde & Seek ) in the eponymous lead role.

Set in 1985, the series follows the exploits of Les Norton, a country bloke from outback Queensland. On the run from a troubled past, he blows into Sydney where he lands a job as a bouncer at a notorious illegal casino in Kings Cross. A classic fish out of water who’s desperate to get home, he soon finds himself seduced by the city’s illicit charms and dragged into a web of underground criminality.

The series, based on the best-selling novels by Robert G. Barrett, is a Roadshow Rough Diamond production for ABC Television. Sonar Entertainment is handling international distribution.

Joining Rebel, David and Alexander will be Hunter Page-Lochard ( Cleverman ), Steve Le Marquand ( Wentworth ), Syd Zygier ( Romper Stomper ), Pallavi Sharda ( Pulse ), Justin Rosniak ( Animal Kingdom ) and Kate Box ( Rake ).

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Premieres Sunday August 4 at 8.30pm.

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ABC drama Les Norton – you wouldn’t want to miss it for quids!

From Sunday 4 August at 8:30pm

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Colourful crime caper series Les Norton , starring Rebel Wilson ( Isn’t It Romantic , Pitch Perfect ), David Wenham ( Romper Stomper , Top of the Lake ), and, in the titular role, Alexander Bertrand ( Australian Gangster , Hyde & Seek ) will air on ABC and iview on Sundays at 8:30pm from 4 August.

The 10-part series, set in 1985 and based on Robert G. Barrett’s classic Australian novels, follows the hijinks of Les Norton, a country bloke from outback Queensland. On the run from a troubled past, he blows into Sydney where he lands a job as a bouncer at a notorious illegal casino in Kings Cross. A classic fish out of water who’s desperate to get home, he soon finds himself seduced by the city’s illicit charms and dragged into a web of underground criminality.

With his mix of brawn, larrikin humour and opportunism, Les quickly becomes tangled up in the fast-paced city around him and the illicit activities of his new boss, kingpin Price Galese (David Wenham), and Price’s motley crew of ex- pro boxer turned casino doorman Billy Dunne (Hunter Page-Lochard, Cleverman ), gun-for-hire Eddie Salita (Justin Rosniak, Animal Kingdom ), and no-nonsense casino manager Georgie (Pallavi Sharda, Pulse ). It’s not long before Les makes the acquaintance of bent cop ‘Thumper’ (Steve Le Marquand, Wentworth ), as well as the newbie on the Kings Cross beat, Constable Emily Gold (Syd Zygier, Romper Stomper ) and finds himself living in Bondi with Lozza, a pot-smoking advertising executive party girl (Kate Box, Rake ) who becomes his anchor to the ‘real’ world, as well as his constant sparring partner.

Les Norton is directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse ( The Dressmaker, Proof ), Fadia Abboud ( Australian Gangster ), David Caesar ( Dead Lucky, Underbelly ) and Morgan O’Neill ( Drift, Solo ). It has been created for television by Morgan O’Neill, working alongside writers Christopher Lee ( Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo ), Samantha Winston ( Wentworth ), Shanti Gudgeon ( Wolf Creek ), Malcolm Knox ( Romper Stomper ), and Jessica Tuckwell.

Produced by Dan Edwards and John Edwards from Roadshow Rough Diamond, ( Romper Stomper and upcoming series Australian Gangster). Executive Producers are ABC’s Head of Drama, Comedy & Indigenous Sally Riley and Andrew Gregory; Deeper Water Films’ John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz, and John Singleton and Jack Singleton.

Les Norton is a Roadshow Rough Diamond production for the ABC, with major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC, in association with Create NSW. Sonar Entertainment is handling international distribution.

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Preview clip

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I wasn’t too keen on the narration from the Aussie ocker but I do like the nostalgia of Australia in the 80s. They also did a good job of matching archival footage to what they were filming with colour grading and techniques. It would be hard to film something set in the 80s in Bondi and Kings Cross with how overdeveloped it is now too.

I;ve never read the books but could this go on to further series if its successful? How many books are there? could they just adapt it further? I feel like its something that could have legs as its own tv series and not just a mini series.

I really enjoyed the first episode. It was a good story and was well made. I particularly liked the thinly veiled caricatures of colourful Sydney identifies of the past.

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Really good episode tonight. It was a comedy of errors but not in a sitcom way. I keep watching each ep trying to pick out the inaccuracies for the era and they did a good job to make it believable if I wasn’t nitpicking about dialogue or what people ate or drank in the 80s.

Rebel must have been adlibbing in tonight’s finale ep cause she was using some phrases that I’m pretty sure wouldn’t have been said in the 80s.

I hope the show gets renewed and they open Les’ world a little more.

I’ve just been catching up with this series this week. I’ve noticed a few words and sayings throughout the series, that were not something that was part of the vernacular in 1980s Australia.

The two that come to mind are Lozza saying “Whatever” and Dolores talking about a “wedgie” in an aerobics class.

And “ranga” wasn’t around in the 80s either.

I was in high school during the 1980s and I definitely remember wedgies being around at that time.

The 1980s equivalent to “whatever”, particularly amongst the girls, would’ve been a flick of the wrist in somebody’s face while uttering “nnerr”. My little sister still does that to me at times.

Speaking of the 1980s… I’m watching Upright and I’m fairly sure the actress playing “Esme” has drawn some inspiration from Fast Forward’s Lynne Postlethwaite for her performance. Pattern of speech is reminiscent of the character and she’s chain smoking on a vape pen in every scene.

Did a bit of a Google search and found Revenge of the Nerds made the wedgie famous, so I guess that sneaks in since that movie was released in 1984, although not sure the middle aged women would have been that familiar with it in 1985.

Another reference that was slightly out. Galese’s daughters see a guy in the club and they think it’s Jason Donovan. Problem is Jason joined Neighbours in 1986 and it’s supposed to be 1985. Oops.

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