Paramount+ Australia and Screen Australia today announced the commission of Paramount+ Original drama series, Fake, a startling new story of love in a world of liars, cheats, fantasists and phonies.
Inspired by the book Fake by Stephanie Wood, the eight- part series is produced by Kindling Pictures’ Imogen Banks (Safe Home, Offspring) and Emelyne Palmer (Safe Home, RFDS), and co-produced by Gold Logie Award-winning, Asher Keddie (Offspring, Party Tricks, Love My Way) who will also play the lead role.
Created for television by AWGIE award-winning screenwriter, Anya Beyersdorf with AACTA and Australian Director’s Guild award-winner director, Emma Freeman (Secret City, Glitch, The Newsreader) setting the series up, Fake is a gripping emotional thriller that explores truth, love, lies and the stories we tell ourselves.
Starring alongside Asher Keddie is Australian Film Institute Award winning actor, David Wenham (SeaChange, Elvis, Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers & The Return of the King).
Fake follows Birdie Bell (Keddie), a beautiful, smart and brilliant magazine features writer who thinks she has found “the one” when she meets successful grazier Joe Burt (Wenham) on a dating app.
Convinced by her well-meaning friends and family that this could be her very own happily ever after, Birdie begins to believe that it is finally her chance to live the fairy-tale. As cracks start to form in Joe’s stories, Birdie soon discovers her boyfriend isn’t all he has led her to believe.
Sophia Mogford, Executive Producer, Drama and Comedy, Paramount ANZ said: “The concept of “it would never happen to me” is a familiar one to us all, and Fake which centres around this, is a nuanced and fascinating story, and there really is no one better than Imogen Banks to bring all this to life. It’s certain to be addictive viewing for our audience.”
Grainne Brunsdon, Head of Content, Screen Australia said: “Fake promises to be a captivating addition to the Australian television landscape and a project that Screen Australia is thrilled to support. Imogen Banks, Anya Beyersdorf, and the entire creative team have expertly woven a narrative that intricately explores the facets of love, trust, and the complexities of authenticity in our contemporary world – in what promises to be a truly binge-worthy series. The series’ thought- provoking storyline and well-crafted characters are poised to resonate broadly, making it an essential watch when it arrives on Paramount+ in 2024.”
Imogen Banks, founder of Kindling Pictures said: “Fake sees Asher Keddie and David Wenham partner on screen for the first time, and Anya Beyersdorf has written them dynamite roles.
“Inspired by Stephanie Wood’s book of the same name, Fake throws us inside the confusing and deluding experience of a relationship built on lies. Kindling Pictures is thrilled to be working with Paramount+ Australia to bring it all to life.”
Production Credits: A Kindling Pictures production. Major production investment from Paramount ANZ and Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen. Entertainment One (eOne) will handle international sales.
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