Devil's Playground (TV series)

Devil's Playground
Genre Drama
Psychological thriller
Directed by Rachel Ward
Tony Krawitz
Starring Simon Burke
John Noble
Don Hany
Jack Thompson
Toni Collette
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 6
Production
Executive producer(s) Tony Ayres
Penny Win
Simon Burke
Producer(s) Helen Bowden
Penny Chapman
Blake Ayshford
Running time 51 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel Showcase
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Audio format Dolby Digital 5.1
Original run 9 September 2014 – Present
Chronology
Related shows The Devil's Playground
External links
[matchboxpictures.com Website]

Devil's Playground is an Australian television psychological thriller series set to premiere on Showcase on 9 September 2014. It was created as a sequel to the 1976 film, The Devil's Playground. The series begins in 1988 and follows the story of Tom Allen, a recently widowed psychiatrist and a secular confessor to the Catholic clergy, who becomes entangled in political and theological intrigue. Simon Burke will reprise his role of titular character, Tom Allen.

Development

On 26 November 2012, Matchbox Pictures announced that they would produce a drama series for Foxtel that would serve as a continuation to the 1976 film The Devil's Playground.[1]

The series is produced by Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman and Blake Ayshford and directed by Rachel Ward and Tony Krawitz. It is written by Blake Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison and Tommy Murphy and the Executive Producers are Tony Ayres, Penny Win and Simon Burke.[2]

Synopsis

The year is 1988. It is 35 years after the events of Fred Schepisi’s classic film, The Devil’s Playground. Tom Allen, now in his 40s and recently widowed, is a respected Sydney psychiatrist and father of two children. A practising Catholic, Tom accepts an offer by the Bishop of Sydney to become a counsellor of priests. During these sessions, he will uncover a scandal and become embroiled in the Church’s attempts to cover it up. Tom’s quest for justice will push him to his limits, and reveal a side of Church power and official corruption he could never have imagined.

Cast

Episodes

Episode
no.
Title Directed by Written by Original air date Overnight Australian viewers
1"I Will Bring Fire Onto This Earth"[3]Rachel WardBlake Ayshford9 September 201448,000[4][5]
A psychological thriller set in the churches, schools and upper ranks of power in the Australian Catholic Church, which begins with the disappearance of a local Catholic schoolboy.
2"The Tail of the Serpent"[3]Rachel WardBlake Ayshford9 September 201448,000[4][5]
3"He Maketh My Way Perfect"[3]Rachel WardAlice Addison16 September 2014N/A
Bishop Quaid decides to delve into the allegations made by Brendan. Elliot becomes the target of new unwanted attention. Brendan infiltrates Tom's world when he meets his son, David.
4"The Forgiveness of Sins"[6]Tony Krawitz[6]Tommy Murphy[6]23 September 2014N/A
5"The Whirlwind and the Storm"[7]Tony Krawitz[7]Cate Shortland[7]30 September 2014
6"Matthew 18:6"[8]Tony Krawitz[8]Blake Ayshford & Tommy Murphy[8]8 October 2014

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2015 Logie Awards[9] Most Outstanding Actor John Noble Pending
Most Outstanding Miniseries or Telemovie Devil's Playground Pending

References

  1. Knox, David (26 November 2012). "Foxtel to return to The Devil's Playground". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  2. http://if.com.au/2013/01/11/inprod/Return-to-the-Devils-Playground/VTYOHHGHXL.html
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Search results for "Winners & Losers"". Foxtel. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Knox, David (10 September 2014). "Tuesdays not so funny for Please Like Me". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Knox, David (10 September 2014). "Tuesday 9 September 2014". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "The Forgiveness of Sins". IMDB. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "The Whirlwind and the Storm". IMDB. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Matthew 18:6". IMDB. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  9. Willis, Charlotte (22 March 2015). "Here's the full List of 2015 Logies nominations". news.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2015.