Screen Australia and Stan have announced two new Australian drama series, Critical Incident, a six-part contemporary crime drama set in Western Sydney from Matchbox Productions, and Sunny Nights from Jungle Entertainment which follows two siblings who get caught up in the criminal underworld while navigating the beauty cosmetics industry. The two productions have received major production investment from Screen Australia and Stan.
Screen Australia Director of Content Grainne Brunsdon said, “Screen Australia is delighted to be supporting these two new distinctive Australian dramas and the story makers behind them. Viewers can expect compelling storylines, complex characters and the perfect mix of action, high-stakes drama and wit. Critical Incident is a fresh and modern take on the crime drama genre from a very experienced creative team, promising honest insights and an authentic representation of Western Sydney.”
“Sunny Nights is set to draw audiences into the absurdity of the siblings’ misadventures as they are swept up in their new and dangerous world. With Jungle Entertainment and this highly skilled creative team at the helm, Sunny Nights is going to be an enthralling and brilliant series. I can’t wait to watch them when they land on Stan,” said Brunsdon.
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said, “Critical Incident and Sunny Nights are fresh Australian stories from world-class creative teams. Sarah Bassiuoni and Matchbox Productions have crafted a compelling series with Critical Incident, a crime drama in Western Sydney introducing a suite of brand-new Australian actors. From the talented team at Jungle Entertainment, Sunny Nights is a madcap adventure guaranteed to entertain and uplift. We thank Screen Australia for their continued support in bringing premium Australian drama to screens.”
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said, “Critical Incident and Sunny Nights demonstrate the range and ambition of our screen creatives in NSW, and I congratulate Matchbox Productions and Jungle Entertainment on each of their unique and compelling series. We are excited to see the high volume of work being produced in our state, showcasing our diverse locations, and ensuring a solid pipeline of exciting projects for audiences to enjoy.”
Critical Incident is a six-part contemporary crime drama from Matchbox Productions depicting life in the Western suburbs of Sydney and delves into the complex world of policing and the consequences on those most vulnerable. While on patrol for a teenage suspect, Senior Constable Zilifcar ‘Zil’ Ahmed (Akshay Khanna) pursues Dalia (Zoë Boe). In the chaos and confusion of the pursuit, a bystander is critically injured. Zil’s world comes crashing down when he discovers Dalia was in fact not the perpetrator. The immense guilt over the bystander’s injuries, coupled with the pressure of the critical incident investigation and the public scrutiny, creates an unbearable burden for Zil. Encouraged by his brothers in blue, Zil becomes obsessed with pinning something on Dalia.
Critical Incident is created, written and co-executive produced by Sarah Bassiuoni (), directed by Neil Sharma () and Daniel Nettheim (Line of Duty), with writers Ruth Underwood, Hannah Fitzpatrick () and Natasha Henry (), and produced by Bree-Anne Sykes (, ) with executive producer Sheila Jayadev (, ). Critical Incident is produced by Matchbox Pictures, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. It has received major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Stan. It is financed with support from Screen NSW, who is also supporting post, digital and visual effects. International sales are being handled by All3Media International. Critical Incident will premiere on Stan in 2024.
Sunny Nights is an eight-part darkly-comedic drama from Jungle Entertainment (Stan Original Series Population 11) and Echo Lake Entertainment (The Great), which follows two siblings as they navigate the cosmetics industry and inadvertently get caught up in Sydney’s criminal underworld. As the brother and sister attempt to turn their start-up business into a multi-million-dollar operation, they’ll find the unconditional bond of their familial relationship tested by corporate rivals, dangerous mobsters and, of course, a lifetime of driving each other insane. Starting production in 2024, Sunny Nights is about how a spritz of sunless tanner, a little ambition and a touch of crime can help a person find their true self.
Sunny Nights is directed by Trent O’Donnell (The Good Place, Hacks, ) and written by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer (Almost Paradise), Marieke Hardy (), Lally Katz (), Clare Sladden () and Niki Aken (), with Shay Spencer, Jason Burrows and Chloe Rickard executive producing and Bridget Callow-Wright producing for Jungle Entertainment. It is a Jungle Entertainment (Population 11) and Echo Lake Entertainment (The Great) production, with major production investment from Stan in association with Screen Australia. Additional finance provided by Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund. International sales by Cineflix Rights. Developed with the assistance of Stan.
These projects join an exciting line-up of Australian drama series heading to Stan including Invisible Boys, , Exposure and feature film which have all received support from Screen Australia.
