The Nine Network has unveiled its programming slate for the upcoming 2019 season at a launch held in Sydney.
Leading the network’s programming announcements was news that the former ABC drama SeaChange is returning to TV after almost 20 years — with Sigrid Thornton reprising the lead role of lawyer Laura Gibson, and John Howard as councillor Bob Jelly.
Debuting in 1998 and screening on Sunday nights for three seasons, SeaChange was a huge success for ABC, earning ratings that the national broadcaster had not achieved for a drama series in almost a decade. As well as Thornton and Howard the original series cast included David Wenham, William McInnes, Kerry Armstrong, Jill Forster, Alan Cassell, Kevin Harrington, Kate Atkinson, Tom Long and Fiona Corke.
The series won numerous awards, including three TV Week Logies for Most Outstanding Drama and AFI awards for Armstrong and Forster.
The revived SeaChange will be produced by ITV Studios Australia, a successor to Artist Services that produced the original series.
In 2019, Nine will also launch new drama Bad Mothers, game show Lego Masters and comedy Hamish And Andy’s “Perfect” Holiday. There will be series returns of The Voice, The Block, Marriage At First Sight, Love Island, Doctor Doctor, Australian Ninja Warrior, Family Food Fight, Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation, Travel Guides, RBT, Paramedics, Millionaire Hot Seat, Talking Married and Getaway.
Sports coverage includes Nine’s pick up of summer tennis including the Australian Open, Sydney International, Brisbane International and Hopman Cup.
Nine’s sports portfolio includes the National Rugby League including State Of Origin, 2019 Cricket World Cup, Suncorp Super Netball, The Ashes, Constellation Cup and the National Basketball League and regular programs Sports Sunday, Footy Classified, The Footy Show (AFL) and The Sunday Footy Show (NRL).
Nine’s line-up for 2019 sounds promising with the two stars of the original series to be in the new one – any more of the original cast to be sought for 2019.
Would be great to see ‘A COUNTRY PRACTICE’ back on our screens too,
I would love to see reruns of GP – that was a good series with great Australian actors – where are they now? Maybe a new series can be made by Nine. Failing that, could GP be available to purchase on DVD.