Miranda Otto has been cast in Tough Love, the Rick Donald-created comedy for Australian streamer Binge.
The Lord of the Rings actress will appear opposite Donald (Population 11), with Liz Kingsman (F1: The Movie), Hugo Johnstone-Burt (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) and Jay Ryan (North of North).
The show stars otto as Kerry Hart, the mother of 39-year-old Shane (Donald), daughter Steph (Kingsman) and middle son Rodney (Johnstone-Burt), with Ryan playing her partner, Mick.
We first revealed news of the show in September last year. You can now see first-look images above and below, with production now underway.
Watch on Deadline
Set in suburban Australian family, Tough Love follows Kerry as she receives a cancer diagnosis and her terrifying realization that all her adult children are totally incapable of surviving the world without her. Producers say the show explores “the complicated bonds of family, the fear of losing someone you love and the messy, often hilarious struggle to become self-sufficient.”
The series will be directed by Trent O’Donnell (Hacks, Sunny Nights) and Madeleine Dyer (Ghosts Australia), who were the directing team behind Binge’s most well-known comedy, Colin From Accounts. Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia is producing for Binge parent Foxtel Group, itself now part of DAZN.
Principal production funding cam from Foxtel and Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW, with Foxtel taking local rights. The series is produced by Hamish Lewis, Head of Scripted at WBITVP Australia, said: “Rick and Xanthe Heubel, with Michael Brooks and Donald the exec producers, along with Foxtel’s Daniel Monaghan, Lana Greenhalgh and Joshua Longhurst.
Rick Donald, who created and write the show: “Tough Love draws on my observations of family, and the strange, funny and often difficult ways we look after the people we love. I wanted to explore what happens when a family is forced to confront something they’d rather not think about, while finding the humour in the chaos along the way.”
WBITVP’s Lewis, added: “Rick Donald has built a world that is dangerously edgy, funny, honest and full of heart, alongside a brilliant cast that have decided to join us to bring these complicated characters to life. We are stoked to be working with Binge, Screen Australia, Screen NSW and FOX Entertainment Global on the series and can’t wait to bring it to screens soon.”
Monaghan, who is Foxtel Group’s Executive Director, Entertainment Content, said: “Tough Love continues Binge and DAZN’s commitment to delivering distinctive, premium Australian comedy, following the success of originals like Colin From Accounts. We were immediately drawn to Rick Donald’s sharp, heartfelt comedy about the messiness of family and being forced to grow up.
“With an outstanding cast led by Miranda Otto, Tough Love upholds our investment in authentic local storytelling, supported by our strong partnership with Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Screen NSW and Screen Australia.”
Damian Bennett
