Molly (miniseries)

Molly

Company type	Television miniseries
Industry	Television
Founded	February 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Television drama

Molly is an Australian miniseries presented in two parts, focusing on the life of music icon Molly Meldrum. Broadcast on the Seven Network, the initial installment aired on 7 February 2016, followed by the second on 14 February. The series draws from Meldrum's autobiography, The Never, Um ... Ever Ending Story, co-authored with journalist Jeff Jenkins.

Synopsis

Beginning with Ian "Molly" Meldrum's 2011 accident and subsequent coma, Molly revisits significant moments throughout his life—from his upbringing in the rural town of Quambatook to his emergence as a key influencer in Australia's music scene.

The narrative emphasizes the rise, peak, and eventual decline of the popular television program Countdown, underscoring its impact on Meldrum's career and enduring reputation. It also delves into his role as host, showcasing how his enthusiasm and distinctive persona cemented his status as a central figure in the Australian music industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

Cast

• Samuel Johnson portrays Molly Meldrum
• Aaron Glenane plays Michael Gudinski
• Rebecca Breeds appears as Camille, Meldrum’s fiancée
• Ben Gerrard takes on the role of Caroline, Meldrum’s transgender roommate
• T.J. Power depicts Robbie Weekes, co-creator and director of Countdown
• Tom O'Sullivan acts as Michael Shrimpton, co-creator and producer of Countdown
• Benedict Hardie features as Alan Wade, an ABC executive frequently at odds with Meldrum
• Heather Mitchell portrays Pat Hatcher, who succeeded Wade
• Krew Boylan plays Lynne Randell
• Connor Crawford appears as John Paul Young
• Ben Geurens represents Shirley Strachan
• Jacinta Stapleton acts as Madonna
• Kate Atkinson takes on the role of Meldrum’s mother
• Helen Morse plays Meldrum’s grandmother
• Toby Truslove appears as Gary Morris
• Tegan Higginbotham portrays Petra

Comedians Ed Kavalee, Andy Lee, Hamish Blake, and Mick Molloy make brief cameo appearances. Molly Meldrum himself appears in an epilogue segment.

Production

Filming took place during early 2015.

Ratings

The first segment of this telemovie achieved the highest viewership among non-sport programs in Australia for 2016, drawing 3.02 million viewers nationwide (2.1 million in metropolitan areas and 931,000 from regional regions).

Episode	Air date	Viewers (millions)	Nightly rank	Consolidated Viewers (millions)	Adjusted rank	Source
"Part 1"	Sunday, 7 February 2016	1.793	#1	2.088	#1
"Part 2"	Sunday, 14 February 2016	1.526	#2	1.750	#2

For his portrayal, Samuel Johnson received the Gold Logie award the following year.

Music

Liberation Music released a three-disc compilation titled Molly: Do Yourself a Favour on 27 November 2015. This collection includes 60 tracks and is named after one of Meldrum's famous phrases from Countdown. The album reached number one on the ARIA Albums Chart.

A second three-disc soundtrack named Molly: Counting Down The Hits was issued by Liberation Music on 21 October 2016.