Careless
Solly McLeod and Katie Leung will lead the cast of Stan series Careless, an Australian-Scottish co-production, with Richard Roxburgh and Robyn Malcolm.
The four-part series is produced by Easy Tiger Productions and Synchronicity Films and is currently filming across Sydney and Glasgow. The UK’s Channel 4 has pre-bought the series, with All3Media International handling international rights.
Created by Helen Fitzgerald and Louise Fox, the drama centres on Scottish backpacker Robbie (McLeod) who finds himself in Sydney and becomes determined to become a live-in carer for a notorious rock’n’roll legend, Mike (Roxburgh), who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. To his delight, he nails the interview and gets the gig.
But, as he grows closer to Mike, he also grows closer to Mike’s wife Angela (Malcolm), and becomes a confidante to both Mike and Angela. As Robbie integrates himself further in their relationship, it becomes clear there’s something in Robbie’s past which may put Mike and Angela in serious danger.
The cast also includes Mabel Li, Thomas Weatherall and Alison Peebles.Angela Littlejohn is the producer, with executive producers Easy Tiger’s Ian Collie and Rob Gibson and Synchronicity’s Claire Mundell and Deanne Cunningham. Stevie Cruz-Martin directs from scripts by Fox and Christian White.
“From the seed of the idea over a random London lunch with author Helen Fitzgerald to its evolution as a compelling psychosexual thriller, it has been our privilege and joy to support the talented writing team of Lou Fox and Christian White and the brilliant direction of Stevie Cruz-Martin and her gifted cast and crew,” said Collie and Gibson in a joint statement.
Mundell, whose company previously made The Cry in Australia, said Careless is “exactly the kind of bold, emotionally complex storytelling that Synchronicity is passionate about championing”.
“And it’s a co-pro with our favourite territory – Australia! Louise and Helen have created a provocative, character-led thriller that asks difficult questions about power, intimacy and trust, and we’re thrilled to be bringing it to the screen with such outstanding creative partners.”
Major production investment comes via Screen Scotland’s Broadcast Content Fund and Screen NSW’s Made in NSW TV Drama Fund, with the expectation the series will create more than 450 jobs in the state.
Michael Healy and Andy Ryan executive produce for Stan, alongside Kieren Hannigan for Screen Scotland. Polly Scates acquired the series for Channel 4.
