Screenwest is supporting the production of a new scripted series based on the life story of Western Australian bank robber and prison escapee Brenden Abbott, infamously dubbed ‘The Postcard Bandit’. Abbott became a household name in Australia in the 1980s, committing a string of bank robberies and evading police before he was convicted in 1987. He earnt the unfounded nickname, The Postcard Bandit, after rumours surfaced that he had posed for photos and sent them to police during his time on the run. The claims were denied. Commissioned by Foxtel Group, filming of the series has commenced in Western Australia, produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia with major production investment from Screenwest through the State Government’s Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. The series follows the life of the ingenious crim-on-the-run, eluding police and twice escaping maximum security prisons.The 1980s and 1990s crime drama, which is yet to be named, will be filmed around Perth and Fremantle, stretching as far north as Regans Ford in the Wheatbelt and south to Collie. It will comprise six hour-long episodes and will air on Binge, produced in association with, and distributed by, ITV Studios.Expected to attract a spend of more than $7 million into the WA economy, the production will employ at least 80 Western Australian crew and 80 WA cast with speaking roles, as well as 400 extras.                                                       George Mason (The Power of the Dog, The Survivors) leads the cast as Brenden Abbott, with Robyn Malcolm (After The Party, The Survivors), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel, Long Bright River, Hounds of Love), and Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street, The Flash) starring alongside him.        The ensemble cast includes David Howell (Narrow Road to the Deep North, Strife), Mia Artemis (Sweet Tooth, The Secrets She Keeps), Christian Byers (Bump, The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Roxie Mohebbi (He Had It Coming, Critical Incident), Oscar Redding (Top of the Lake, The Twelve), Anthony Hayes (Mystery Road, Gold, The Twelve), and Jayden Popik (Mystery Road, A Perfect Pairing).

Western Australian Ben Young (Hounds of Love, The Twelve) joins Bonnie Moir (Exposure, Love Me) as directors, with Young also serving as executive producer. Hamish Lewis (How to Make Gravy, The Twelve) is producing, alongside series producer Matt Noonan (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Beyond Goodbye), with Michael Brooks as executive producer. The writing team is led by writer and script producer Sarah Walker (The Secrets She Keeps, The Twelve), alongside Matt Cameron (The Clearing, Jack Irish) and writers Scout Cripps and Anthony Hayes.Western Australian Heads of Department include 1st Assistant Director Stuart Morrice, Production Designer Herbert Pinter, Art Director Danielle Fernandes, Costume Designer Terri Lamera, and Hair and Makeup Designer Hayley Atherton.                                                        “This story’s got everything I love in TV – action, love, violence and complex emotional relationships. If it didn’t happen, you wouldn’t believe it. After a great experience working with Binge and Warner Bros. Australia on The Twelve, I was stoked they felt the same way about this wild ride as I did.” Ben Young, Director and Executive Producer commented.                                                                                          “We are pleased to welcome Binge and Warner Bros back to Western Australia for their upcoming scripted series. The production shows the growing momentum in our screen industry and reinforces our growing reputation as a destination for high-quality screen production.” Rikki Lea Bestall, Chief Executive Officer, Screenwest commented.             “The misadventures of the elusive Brenden Abbott is as Australian as it gets and we’re proud to be partnering with the team at Warner Bros to bring this legendary Aussie story to screen. We can’t wait to get cameras rolling on the scripted series soon in WA where the story started nearly 40 years ago.” Lana Greenhalgh, Executive Producer and Head of Scripted, Foxtel Group commented.                                            “We’re pumped to be back in Western Australia working with Foxtel and Screenwest again. This is a truly incredible story, too good not to be told. It’s the story of extreme resilience, determination and family – with a wild backdrop of ‘80s and ‘90s Australia. We can’t wait for the world to see this!” Hamish Lewis, Head of Scripted at WBITVP Australia commented.

Production credit: Based on Australian Outlaw – The True Story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott by Derek Pedley. Produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia for the Foxtel Group, with major production investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. The series will be produced in association with, and distributed by, ITV Studios. Producer Hamish Lewis alongside Series Producer Matt Noonan and Executive Producers Michael Brooks, Ben Young, Lana Greenhalgh and Penny Win. Directors Ben Young and Bonnie Moir. Written by Sarah L. Walker alongside Matt Cameron, Scout Cripps and Anthony Hayes.