Devil's Playground (TV series)
| Company type | TV series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 9 September 2014 |
| Founder | Matchbox Pictures |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman, Blake Ayshford (producers); Rachel Ward, Tony Krawitz (directors); Blake Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison, Tommy Murphy (writers); Tony Ayres, Penny Win, Simon Burke (executive producers) |
| Products | Television drama series |
Devil's Playground is an Australian psychological thriller TV series that debuted on Showcase on 9 September 2014. Serving as a continuation of the 1976 film The Devil's Playground, this series is set in the year 1988 and centers on Tom Allen, a newly widowed psychiatrist who also acts as a secular advisor to Catholic clergy, becoming entangled in both political and religious disputes. Simon Burke returns to portray Tom Allen.
Development
On 26 November 2012, Matchbox Pictures revealed plans to produce a drama for Foxtel that would extend the narrative of The Devil's Playground. The production team includes producers Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman, and Blake Ayshford, with direction by Rachel Ward and Tony Krawitz. The writing team comprises Blake Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison, and Tommy Murphy. Executive producers are Tony Ayres, Penny Win, and Simon Burke.
Synopsis
Taking place in 1988, three and a half decades after the original film, the story follows Tom Allen, a well-regarded Sydney psychiatrist and widower raising two children. As a devout Catholic, he accepts the role of counselor to priests at the request of the Bishop of Sydney. During these counseling sessions, Tom uncovers evidence of Church cover-ups. His determination to seek accountability reveals entrenched corruption and pushes him to his limits.
Cast
- Simon Burke as Tom Allen
- John Noble as Bishop John McNally
- Don Hany as Bishop Vincent Quaid
- Jack Thompson as Cardinal Constantine Neville
- Toni Collette as NSW MP Margaret Wallace
- Andrew McFarlane as Father Marco Andrassi
- Uli Latukefu as Father Matteo
- Max Cullen as Father Joyce
- Leon Ford as Brother Warren
- James Fraser as David Allen
- Morgan Davies as Bridie Allen
- Malcolm Kennard as Joe Kelly
- Anna Lise Phillips as Alice Kelly
- Ben Hall as Finton Kelly
- Fletcher Watson as Peter Kelly
- Michael Denkha as Massimo Drago
- Jason Klarwein as Matthew Darcy
- Jessica Donoghue as Catherine Darcy
- Jarin Towney as Elliot Darcy
- Coco Jack Gillies as Megan Darcy
- Avani Farriss as Rachel Darcy
- Matt Levett as Brendan Mahony
- Rory Potter as Cavanagh
- Danny Adcock as Father Drake
- Darren Gilshenan as Father Lenken
Episodes
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Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Overnight Australian viewers |
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Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Logie Awards | Outstanding Actor | John Noble | Template:Nominated |
| Outstanding Miniseries or Telemovie | Devil's Playground | Template:Won |