Sunshine (Australian TV series)

Sunshine Kings
Company type	Miniseries
Industry	Television
Founded	October 18, 2017; 9 years ago
Headquarters	Melbourne, Australia
Products	Television drama series

Sunshine—known internationally as Sunshine Kings'—is an Australian crime drama miniseries that debuted on SBS on 18 October 2017. The production was handled by Essential Media, with direction by Daina Reid and a script penned by Matt Cameron alongside Elise McCredie.

Plot

The storyline unfolds in Melbourne’s inner-west suburb of Sunshine, centering on Jacob Garang, a young South Sudanese-Australian basketball talent on the verge of being recruited by a US college. His life takes a turn when he becomes the main suspect in a police inquiry following the discovery of a severely injured 15-year-old girl in an upscale neighborhood.

Simultaneously, Eddie (LaPaglia), who owns a sports store, assumes the role of coach for the Sunshine Kings basketball team, succeeding the well-intentioned yet ineffective Reverend Skelton (Gyngell). Under Eddie’s guidance, the team experiences success and he gradually gains respect within the Sudanese community backing the squad. Nevertheless, when Eddie’s racist history is exposed, it results in a significant breakdown of trust.

The plot also tracks Zara Skelton (Lynskey), a lawyer and daughter of the reverend, who strives to combat police racial profiling targeting the Sudanese community and plays a pivotal role in revealing the truth behind events.

Cast

Anthony LaPaglia as Eddie
Melanie Lynskey as Zara Skelton
Wally Elnour as Jacob Garang
Ror da Poet as Deng Deng
Autiak Aweteek as Santino Dut
Nick Perry as Dazzler
Ana Boal as Mari Garang
Jufia Ajobong as Grace Garang
Tiarnie Coupland as Elly Messina
Kim Gyngell as Rev. Neil 'The Peacock' Skelton
Jane Bayly as Pat Skelton
Nyandeng Makuer as Alek Deng
Kor Puoc as Manute Deng
Paul Ireland as DSS Ian Sloane
Leah Vandenberg as DSC Jaya Prasad
Piath Mcathiang as Nyagua Nyawan
Vince Colosimo as Tony Messina
Freya Stafford as Freya Messina
Rupert Reid as Ben Canny
Kyle Eliott as Vlad Cilic
Emmanuel Martin Malou as Lam Bol
Zhong Duo (Andy) Xia as Mike Wong
Arec Athum as Ayei
Anyuop Dau as Darna
Ben Klarenaar as Larry Grattan
Trudy Hellier as Jackie Grattan
Joe Hooks as Carlyle Jones
Bev Killick as Bev (Stadium Official)
Gloria Ajenstat as Doctor
Peter Hitchener as Newsreader
Maggie Naouri as Rima Saad
Alex Cooke as Young Constable
Bernard Curry as Dean Simic
Dinesh Matthew as Karim
Tethloach Ruey as Ruai Nyawan
Troy Davis as Labourer
Bryce Hardy as Redbacks Coach
Rory Bochner as Mia Canny

Reception

Luke Buckmaster of Guardian Australia praised the series, describing it as an "excellent, beautifully balanced drama" and ranking it among "the standout TV shows of the year." On 6 December 2017, it secured the AACTA Award for Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series at the 7th AACTA Awards. Additionally, at the 2018 Monte-Carlo Television Festival, it garnered three nominations: Best Long Fiction Program along with acting nods for both Anthony LaPaglia and Melanie Lynskey.

Home media

Roadshow Entertainment issued the mini-series as a two-disc DVD set featuring the original four episodes.

References