Seven Studios, Australia’s largest production company, has commenced principal photography on its female-driven romantic thriller Secret Bridesmaids’ Business starring Abbie Cornish ( Jack Ryan, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Robocop) , Katie McGrath ( Supergirl, Merlin, Jurassic World ) and Georgina Haig ( Once Upon A Time, The Crossing, Limitless ).
Seven Studios developed Secret Bridesmaids’ Business as a pivotal drama in its development strategy to produce high quality series for the Australian and international markets.
A bride’s perfect wedding turns deadly after one of her bridesmaids unknowingly invites a malevolent stranger into their lives, triggering a deadly chain reaction that blows open a hidden world of secrets. As the thriller series unfolds, the power of female friendship could be the difference between life and death.
Abbie Cornish plays Melanie. Mother, wife, with a successful career and a beautiful home…. To family and friends, it appears she has an idyllic life. However, when her life choices are put to the test by some harsh home truths, her ideal world starts to spiral out of control. “There is a sharp dichotomy between Melanie’s seemingly perfect suburban life with a happy marriage and wonderful children versus her increasing ventures into the unknown and often dangerous. From the first moment, I was drawn to Melanie’s complexities as a mid-30’s woman whose concerns, stresses, and priorities are eerily relevant to suburban life. Hers is a story begging to be told,” Abbie said.
Katie McGrath is Saskia. A fast-rising lawyer and an arresting, high-octane British truth-bomb. She is relentlessly intelligent and fiercely loyal. An assured, wildly-independent bisexual, Saskia defies pigeonholing and holds a secret that could mean the end of friendship with her best mate, Olivia. “I love the core friendship of the three very different women. Each woman is strong in her own way, but knows how to be vulnerable with their friends,” said Katie.
Georgina Haig plays Olivia. Her near-death experience with leukaemia has made her determined to follow her dreams. Olivia is vibrant, witty and an optimist. When she discovers something very dark about a loved one, it drives her to bury her own secret to protect those around her. “Olivia is a grounded optimist who tries to be less vulnerable than she is, because she wears her heart on her sleeve but wishes she didn’t so much. She’s tough one minute then crumbling the next,” said Georgina.
This stellar cast of rising stars and seasoned performers also includes: Alexander England ( Alien: Covenant , Offspring, The Beautiful Lie ), Dan Spielman ( Deep Water, The Code, Sisters ), Oliver Ackland ( The Originals, 100 Bloody Acres, Satisfaction ), Annie Jones ( Wentworth, Jack Irish ) and Nicholas Bell ( A Place To Call Home , Wentworth, Mad as Hell ).
Seven Studios CEO., Therese Hegarty said: “Securing such an outstanding cast is testament to the story-telling and craftsmanship of superb scripts that blend secrets, lies, wit and compelling friendships. We are truly delighted that our talented creative team will bring this drama to Australian and international audiences.”
Secret Bridesmaids’ Business is directed by Tori Garrett and Jennifer Perrott, executive producer/producer is MaryAnne Carroll, series producer is Amanda Crittenden, script producers/writers are Andrew Anastasios and David Hannam, with writers Alli Parker, Trent Roberts, Chelsea Cassio and Shanti Gudgeon. Based on the stage play written by Elizabeth Coleman, the drama is a Seven Studios production for Seven Network.
Principal production investment is from Film Victoria. Film Victoria CEO, Caroline Pitcher said: “ Secret Bridesmaids’ Business is a Victorian Original production. We’re excited that Seven Studios Scripted are launching their exciting slate of projects with a Victorian-based story that will showcase our stunning Mornington Peninsula region and the incredible talents of our state’s creatives and crew.”
Filming locations span from the scenic Mornington Peninsula wine region to distinctive locations in the heart of the City of Melbourne.
