It says a lot about the state of “premium” local drama - here’s a show that rated decently here and has got some decent reviews in overseas markets and yet Seven can’t make their minds up.
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They’re too busy dishing up ‘refreshed’ junk in MKR and House (apartment) Rules.
Let’s be honest, it’s not just Seven either - all the commercial networks have gone for content that delivers quantity rather than quality. Seven do take it to a new level though
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of course they have and it is a real shame. 10 for instance have an owner in ViacomCBS who make great dramas in the US but can’t be bothered to commission anything here in australia.
Even Foxtel aren’t producing much now. Maybe there’s a chance with a streaming service.
Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries and My Life Is Murder both found a new home on Acorn TV for season 2. And Five Bedrooms is on Paramount+ of course.
A fair bit off topic but I’d argue that ViacomCBS/Paramount are quite guilty of not being very bold when it comes to their commissions. CBS leans heavily on the crime procedural constantly. The Viacom networks are very very leaned towards low level reality, spin offs and reboots. The only exception to this would I guess be Showtime?
Honestly, 10 are just as bad as their owners. It’s not like Paramount are breaking any new ground over in America.
Now confirmed that it’s returning for S2.
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Great news for Aussie drama.
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Indeed, but rather late for a renewal and for it to not be on air until next year.
Why do Aussie networks do this, leave it so long between seasons?
They probably waited until there were enough overseas sales before deciding to go ahead.
Indeed we do need more Australian drama on our screens,but it has to be well written stories of a high standard that will keep the viewers wanting more.
The long gap between season 1 and 2 could be a problem for some having forgotten all about the show over that time.
On the plus side it’s providing work for actors/crew.
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I wish it was on iTunes. I’d rather pay for it in full HD and no commercials than watch on 7Plus.
Maybe an encore on 7Two prior to the new season starting would help reconnect the audience?
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RFDS commissioned for second season
Star-studded cast return to #1 new drama of 2021
The Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia today announced the #1 new Australian drama of 2021, RFDS , has been commissioned for a second season, coming to Channel Seven and 7plus in 2023.
The three-time TV Week Logie Awards nominated drama based in Australia’s red heart will see the return of acclaimed cast Emma Hamilton, Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Justine Clarke, Ash Ricardo, Jack Scott, Sofia Nolan, Rodney Afif, Ash Hodgkinson and Thomas Weatherall.
Just a year after Eliza left Broken Hill behind, much has changed, with lives at RFDS South East progressing at a rapid rate. The determined team will face some of their most confronting challenges to date – in the air, on land, with each other, and within themselves – set against the isolation, beauty and brutality of the outback.
Based on remarkable real-life stories and filmed on location in and around Broken Hill, RFDS tells the stories of doctors, nurses, pilots and support staff in the Royal Flying Doctor Service as they navigate emergency retrievals across some of the most inhospitable places in the country.
Seven’s Chief Content Officer, Entertainment Programming, Angus Ross, said: “We’re thrilled to bring the heart, humour and adrenaline-pumping action of this beloved grand-scale series back to screens. RFDS was an incredible success in 2021, which is in no small way a result of the important role it plays in telling the stories of the real Australian heroes in the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
Endemol Shine Australia Chief Executive Officer, Peter Newman, said: “We are so excited to bring back RFDS for a much-anticipated second season; and to return to working with our incredible cast and creative team. Partnering again with the RFDS , we will raise the stakes and showcase to audiences around the world the incredible work they do.”
RFDS Director of Brand and Communications, Lana Mitchell, said: “We’re delighted that RFDS will be coming to screens again soon. The drama has been hugely popular and resonated heavily with audiences both in Australia and abroad. We continue to support it with access to our bases, staff and livery.”
Season one of RFDS achieved a national total TV audience season average of 1.09 million viewers, with an average BVOD per episode of 110,000 people.
Banijay Rights handles international distribution for RFDS , which has already proven popular with international buyers. Deals for the first series have been secured with More 4 in the UK, PBS in the US, TV4 in Sweden, SBS in Belgium, Talpa in the Netherlands and TVNZ in New Zealand, with others to be announced soon.
Production on RFDS season two will commence in 2023. Writers Ian Meadows, Claire Phillips are returning with scripting underway. The series will be produced by Imogen Banks and Sara Richardson and executive produced by Julie McGauran for Seven.
True, but that could also help retool the parts of the show that were a bit lacklustre
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Great news and great for the Drama industry in this country!
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As a Broken Hill boy (including RFDS filming outside my old house in Episode 1), I’m thrilled Season 2 has been given the greenlight.
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Seven Network’s gripping show has been picked up by Sky Italia, Ireland’s RTE, M7 Group S.A. in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, TV JOJ in Slovakia and The Walt Disney Company in Africa and the Middle East.
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