Former Binge commissioner & Made Up Stories duo launch packaging venture

Australia commissioner Alison Hurbert-Burns has partnered with Bruna Papandrea and Steve Hutensky’s banner Made Up Stories to launch a new outfit that packages local series for global buyers.

Hurbert-Burns becomes chief exec and co-founder of The Set Up, alongside Papandrea and Hutensky. Producers Casey Haver, Jeanne Snow and Katie Amos round out the leadership team.

The nascent company will bring together Australian stories, talent and financing for international broadcasters and streamers. A pipeline of projects are set for production from 2027, while projects from third-party Australian producers and creatives are also being sought.

No details have yet been revealed about projects in the works.

Hurbert-Burns was until last year a commissioner at Binge and before that Stan, while Made Up Stories has worked on shows ranging from Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers to Anatomy of a Scandal.

Papandrea, Hutensky and Hurbert-Burns previously worked together on Aussie drama Strife and the 2025 adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s The Last Anniversary, with Binge, AMC+ and the BBC attached as coproduction partners.

“Alison is that rare combination — a true tastemaker and a brilliant operator — and one of the most highly regarded people in the Australian TV industry. Teaming up with her is a dream,” said Papandrea and Hutensky.

“Australian creatives and stories are world-class, and the opportunity to produce a slate of shows that resonate both locally and globally is incredibly exciting. We’re passionate about bringing top Australian television to audiences everywhere.”

Hurbert-Burns added: “Bruna, Steve and the Made Up Stories team are simply the best in the business at making television the world wants to watch - and this new company is a business and creative partnership in every sense.

“We’re bringing a commissioner’s lens and a targeted approach to our slate, finding stories that travel across borders and appeal to broad audiences.

“Having been on the buying side, I appreciate that streamers and broadcasters need reliable, consistent access to highly engaging, premium-quality content in a landscape that’s changing fast.”