The Chaplain
Original Australian drama from today’s Upfronts.
The Chaplain is a big-hearted airport drama inspired by the real-life experiences of Melbourne Airport’s Chaplain. The fast-paced series dives into the high stakes of a bustling
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Spin-off from Airport 24/7? Could ITV Studios be producing this show as well?
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Doesn’t it say it is a drama not a factual?
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It is a drama, but I am sure plenty of filming will take place inside the airport terminal.
IF has more information on The Chaplain as part of its wrap on SBS 2026 upfronts.
A 8×30-minute drama from Wooden Horse, The Chaplain is inspired by the real-life experiences of Melbourne Airport’s chaplain, co-created by showrunner Elise McCredie and executive producer Jude Troy.
The series follows chaplain Tobias Wallace, who races through unmarked doors with a constantly ringing phone, pockets stuffed with cash and a decidedly unorthodox approach to solving the daily crises of an airport. Tobias is convinced the airport couldn’t run without him and he’s never met a problem he couldn’t fix. Until he meets his formidable and unnervingly young new boss Carmen, who deems him a walking liability. Their clash ignites a power play that ripples through the terminal and into the lives of the cleaners, baggage handlers and passengers around them.
McCredie writes alongside Sarah Bassiuoni, Mithila Gupta and Thomas Weatherall. Production on The Chaplain will commence later this year in Victoria, with cast announcements to follow in the coming months.
Production is supported by Screen Australia and Vicscreen.
Turbulence, Heart and Humanity: SBS Unveils High-Flying New Airport Drama The Chaplain
SBS and Screen Australia are thrilled to announce the commission of a new eight-part Australian drama series The Chaplain, produced by award-winning Australian indie Wooden Horse.
The Chaplain is an ambitious, bold and big-hearted workplace drama that dives into the high stakes inner workings of a bustling international airport, seen through the struggles and triumphs of the workers who keep it running. Leading the charge is Airport Chaplain Tobias Wallace, who races through unmarked doors with a constantly ringing phone, pockets stuffed with cash and a decidedly unorthodox approach to solving the daily crises of an airport.
Tobias is convinced the airport couldn’t run without him and he’s never met a problem he couldn’t fix. Until he meets his formidable and unnervingly young new boss Carmen who deems him a walking liability. Their clash ignites a power play that ripples through the terminal and into the lives of the cleaners, baggage handlers and passengers around them, all fighting for their own hopes, dramas, and flight credits.
In a precinct thousands pass through every day, every crisis becomes personal, and every encounter could change a life.
Inspired by an unforgettable real-life encounter with Melbourne International Airport’s very own Chaplain, Martyn Scrimshaw, the series is co-created by Elise McCredie (Stateless, Jack Irish, The Clearing) and Jude Troy (The Clearing, Mother & Son) who both serve as Executive Producers.
It is written by Elise McCredie, Sarah Bassiuoni (Critical Incident), Mithila Gupta (Four Years Later) and Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High).
Co-Creator and Executive Producer, Wooden Horse, Jude Troy said, “The Chaplain was inspired by an unforgettable encounter I had with the Melbourne International Airport Chaplain, Martyn Scrimshaw. Dashing to make a flight back to Sydney after a work trip and distracted by an eventful day, I jumped out of an Uber and all too late realised I had left my handbag in the back seat. Inside were my phone, laptop, and my identity. I could not board without it! Through the kindness of strangers, I was introduced to someone I never knew existed: the Airport Chaplain.”
“Over the next few hours, he took me on an eye-opening adventure deep into the bowels of the airport. sharing stories of humanity and connection that have stayed with me ever since. I realized how much richness and drama is hidden in this world. Airports are cultural melting pots, filled with so much life and so, alongside Elise and this hugely talented writing team, we are thrilled to bring this world, these incredible stories and our beloved Chaplain to screen.”
SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha said: “The Chaplain is premium and ambitious Australian drama like we’ve never seen before. It explores our shared humanity with warm humour, deep emotion and great joy. We’re so delighted to be working with this exceptional creative and producing team to bring this world to life.”
“As SBS brings Australia together for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it’s only fitting to have a drama set in the very place where Australia meets the world.”
“I’m quietly thrilled that Jude Troy lost her bags so that our audiences could have this show.”
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “The Chaplain is a deeply human series set in an airport story-world which beautifully opens up a diversity of perspectives. Created by a highly experienced female led creative team, this is an ambitious production with complex characters and a distinctive story with global appeal. The Chaplain is a series with a lot of heart, hurt and humour and I’m sure it will resonate with audiences when it premieres on SBS in 2026.”
VicScreen’s CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “VicScreen is delighted to support The Chaplain — a bold, female-led drama that brings a fresh and fearless voice to Australian television. With the brilliant Elise McCredie steering the scripts, this highly original series is a testament to the strength of Victorian talent and our commitment to backing female creatives who are redefining the screen landscape.”
Production on The Chaplain will commence later this year in Victoria. Cast announcements will follow in the coming months.
The Chaplain is a Wooden Horse production for SBS. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with SBS. Financed with support from VicScreen.
A new local drama from producers Wooden Horse, with the working title The Chaplain, is inspired by the real-life experiences of Melbourne Airport’s Chaplain.
“It’s ambitious, it’s bold, it’s a warm workplace drama that really explores those inner workings of a busy International Airport as seen through the struggles and triumphs of the people that work there,” she reveals.
“It’s based on a real life experience, when (producer Jude Troy) had misplaced her handbag and her laptop at an airport and her encounter with a chaplain. So it’s coming from a really authentic place.”
Note: the photo of Hugo Weaving and Shabana Azeez suggests the drama is not filmed in Melbourne Airport, but the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
I have found a similar photo of MCEC foyer on the net.
SBS drama ‘The Airport Chaplain’ casts Hugo Weaving alongside ‘The Pitt’ star Shabana Azeez
Weaving and Azeez lead an outstanding cast in SBS’s new drama series, which takes place inside the high-stakes world of a bustling international airport.
Hugo Weaving and Shabana Azeez during filming. Credit: SBS
SBS is thrilled to announce the cast of new Australian drama The Airport Chaplain, which is currently in production in Melbourne, Victoria. The eight-part series, led by acclaimed heavyweight Hugo Weaving (Slow Horses , The Royal Hotel ) and Shabana Azeez, breakout star of the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning drama series The Pitt , captures the high-stakes world of a bustling international airport, told through the struggles and triumphs of the workers who keep it running.
Hugo Weaving says: “I’m delighted to be a part of this wonderful Australian drama, and to play Airport Chaplain Tobias Wallace. Joining such a talented ensemble and passionate creative team is a great pleasure, and I’m excited for audiences to immerse themselves in the incredible stories that unfold at the airport.”
Shabana Azeez says: “I’m so thrilled to be joining this incredibly iconic Australian TV team to work on The Airport Chaplain . What an honour to e bringing such a quirky, diverse cast of characters to life, in a world we all know so well. Airports are such connective places, and The Airport Chaplain is such a timely and heartwarming story – I can’t wait for it to be on our screens.”
Weaving and Azeez lead a stellar ensemble cast, including Claudia Karvan (Bump , Halifax: Retribution) , Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High , The Narrow Road to the Deep North ), Erroll Shand (All Her Fault , The Twelve ), Kavitha Anandasivam (Aftertaste , The Hunting ), Jackson Tozer (The Newsreader, All Her Fault ), Elias Anton (Swift Street, Barracuda ), Arka Das (Fake ), Fanny Hanusin (Wentworth ), Echo Palo (The Correspondent ), Nicholas Denton (Dangerous Liaisons ), George Mason (Run ), Brenna Harding (The Twelve, Total Control ), Michael Logo (Colin From Accounts ), Priscilla Doueihy (Baby Teeth ), Claude Jabbour (Last King of the Cross ), Ras-Samuel (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ), and many more.
Tobias has never encountered a problem he couldn’t solve. Until he meets his formidable new boss Mira, who deems him a walking liability.
At the centre of The Airport Chaplain is Tobias Wallace (Weaving), a fast-moving fixer with a constantly ringing phone, pockets full of cash and an unorthodox approach to the daily crises unfolding inside the terminal. Convinced the airport couldn’t run without him, Tobias has never encountered a problem he couldn’t solve. Until he meets his formidable new boss Mira (Azeez), who deems him a walking liability. Their clash sparks a power struggle that reverberates through the terminal, affecting the cleaners, baggage handlers and passengers, who are all navigating their own hopes and challenges amid the constant chaos of life in the airport.
From award-winning Australian production company Wooden Horse, the series is co-created by Elise McCredie (The Clearing, Stateless , Jack Irish ) and Jude Troy (Mother & Son, The Clearing, The Other Guy) who both serve as executive producers. It is written by Elise McCredie, Sarah Bassiuoni (Critical Incident ), Mithila Gupta (Four Years Later ), and Vidya Rajan (Why Are You Like This , Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe ). The Airport Chaplain is directed by Bonnie Moir (Run ) and Tig Terera (Swift Street ).
“We’re incredibly excited to be working with this exceptional cast to bring such an ambitious and distinctive Australian drama to life. Hugo Weaving’s captivating humanity and Shabana Azeez’s fearless voice anchor a series that celebrates what binds us together. We can’t wait for audiences here and abroad to step into the world of The Airport Chaplain , ” says SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legh.
Co-Creator and executive producer Jude Troy of Wooden Horse of says: “Boasting a stellar line-up of hugely talented creatives, on and off screen, this prestige drama is inspired by a real-life encounter I had with an airport chaplain. Set in a high-stakes ecosystem of controlled chaos and transient people, the show speaks to humanity and connection – something the world needs right now.”
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough says the series’ “deeply human storytelling” will resonate with audiences around the world. “Brought to life by the inimitable Hugo Weaving and acclaimed Shabana Azeez and told through the unique setting of an airport, The Airport Chaplain is perfectly poised to explore a spectrum of perspectives and nuanced stories.”
VicScreen’s CEO Caroline Pitcher says: “We’re delighted to support The Airport Chaplain … Attracting such an internationally acclaimed cast speaks to the creative team’s exceptional talent and powerful storytelling. With some of Victoria’s most exciting talent both in front of and behind the camera, the production is generating 170 jobs for local screen workers and injecting more than $8 million into the Victorian economy.”
The Airport Chaplain is a Wooden Horse production for SBS. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with SBS. Financed with support from VicScreen.
The Airport Chaplain will premiere on SBS and SBS On Demand this year.
This is a genuinely impressive cast. Very excited for this. Hopes it gets the ratings it deserves. With a stellar cast and a unique concept I could see this doing very well overseas on streaming
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The production will inject over $8 million into the Victorian economy and create an estimated 170 jobs for Victorian screen workers including three placement opportunities that will upskill emerging female screen practitioners.
The Airport Chaplain is filming in and around Melbourne on purpose-built sets that recreate the interiors of airport terminals. Post-production and visual effects work will also take place in Victoria.
The Airport Chaplain will have its world premiere at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival. Date and time will be revealed on July 9 with the rest of the festival program.
Can we change the name of this thread to The Airport Chaplain?
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