Molly (miniseries)
| Molly | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Kevin Carlin |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | John Molloy |
| Production company(s) | M4 Entertainment Production |
| Release | |
| Original network | Seven Network |
| Original release | 7 February – 14 February 2016 |
Molly is a two-part Australian miniseries about music legend Molly Meldrum. Aired on the Seven Network, the first part premiered on 7 February 2016, with the second and final half screening on 14 February. It is based on Meldrum's biography, The Never, Um ... Ever Ending Story, which was written with journalist Jeff Jenkins.[1]
Synopsis
Molly is based on the life of Ian "Molly" Meldrum, who became one of the most influential and powerful names in Australian music.[2] The series follows the rise of Meldrum from small beginnings in Quambatook to becoming one of the biggest names in Australian music. Along with hosting the high-rating TV series Countdown, Meldrum's accessible personality and passion for music saw him become an essential figure of the Australian music scene in the 1970s, '80s and beyond.[3]
Cast
- Samuel Johnson as Molly Meldrum
- Aaron Glenane as Michael Gudinski
- Rebecca Breeds as Camille, Meldrum's fiancée
- Ben Gerrard as Caroline, Meldrum's transgender flatmate
- T.J. Power as Robbie Weekes, co-creator and director of Countdown
- Tom O’Sullivan as Michael Shrimpton, co-creator and producer of Countdown
- Benedict Hardie as Alan Wade, an ABC executive who clashes with Meldrum
- Heather Mitchell as Pat Hatcher, Wade's successor
- Krew Boylan as Lynne Randell
- Connor Crawford as John Paul Young
- Ben Geurens as Shirley Strachan
- Jacinta Stapleton as Madonna
- Kate Atkinson as Meldrum's mother
- Helen Morse as Meldrum's grandmother
Comedians Ed Kavalee, Andy Lee, Hamish Blake and Mick Molloy also make cameo appearances. Former "Saddle Club" star Kia Luby guest stars as Sue in "Sue", the second episode of Season 1.
Production
Filming of the telemovie took place in early 2015.
Reception
Ratings
The first part of the telemovie was the highest-rating non-sport program in Australia for 2016.
With 3.02 million national viewers (2.1 million metropolitan and 931,000 regional).
| Episode | Air date | Viewers (in millions) |
Nightly rank |
Consolidated Viewers (in millions) |
Adjusted rank |
Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Part 1" | Sunday, 7 February 2016 | 1.793 | #1 | 2.088 | #1 | [4][5] |
| "Part 2" | Sunday, 14 February 2016 | 1.526 | #2 | 1.750 | #2 | [6][7] |
Samuel Johnson went on to win the Gold Logie the following year for his performance.
Music
A three-disc soundtrack featuring 60 tracks was released on 27 November 2015 by Liberation Music, titled Molly: Do Yourself a Favour after one of Meldrum's catchphrases on Countdown. It peaked at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
A second three-disc soundtrack was released on 21 October 2016 by Liberation Music, titled Molly: Counting Down The Hits. [8]
References
- ↑ "Samuel Johnson transforms into Molly Meldrum for a new miniseries". Herald Sun. News Ltd. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ↑ "Samuel Johnson now shooting Molly in Melbourne". if.com.au. Inside Films. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ↑ http://www.australiantelevision.net/inproduction.html
- ↑ Knox, David (8 February 2016). "Sunday 7 February 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ↑ Knox, David (17 February 2016). "Sunday 7 February 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ↑ Knox, David (15 February 2016). "Sunday 14 February 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
- ↑ Knox, David (24 February 2016). "Timeshifted: Sunday 14 February 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ↑ "Molly: Counting Down The Hits". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 31 October 2016.