Binge orders Australian bank robber drama from WBITVP

Australian streamer Binge has ordered a drama about the infamous Australian bank robber Brenden Abbott, aka ‘the Postcard Bandit’.

Set in the 1980s, the series explores Abbott’s story, who became a notorious household name after pulling off a string of bank robberies, successfully evading the police, eventually being arrested and convicted, only to escape custody twice.

With the exception of convicted murderers, Abbott is currently the longest serving prisoner in Australia.

The as-yet untitled drama is set to run for six, hour-long episodes, telling the true story of the Postcard Bandit, with George Mason leading the cast as Abbott. The series will also also stars Robyn Malcolm (After the Party), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel), and Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street).

Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia produces in association with ITV Studios, with major production investment from Screenwest and the Western Australian Production Attraction Incentive. ITVS distributes. 

It was commissioned by Foxtel Group and the series is expected to attract a spend of over $7m to the Western Australian economy, according to Screenwest.

Behind the screen, Ben Young and Bonnie Moir are directing, with Young also serving as an executive producer. Jamish Lewis is producer and series producer is Matt Noonan. Exec producers include Michael Brooks. Lana Greenhalgh and Penny Win. The writing team is led by Sarah Walker alongside Matt Cameron and writers Scout Cripps and Anthony Hayes.

Young said: “The story has everything I love in TV - action, love, violence and complex emotional relationships. If it didn’t happen, you wouldn’t believe it.”