The Messenger (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | May 14, 2023 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | TV drama series |
The Messenger is an Australian TV drama adapted from the novel of the same name by Markus Zusak, aired on ABC. The eight-episode series debuted on 14 May 2023. It centers on Ed Kennedy, a young taxi driver who begins receiving enigmatic playing cards marked with addresses and times, setting off profound transformations in his own life and the lives of those around him.
Cast
- William McKenna portrays Ed Kennedy, a 19-year-old cab driver whose courageous act during a store robbery results in receiving mysterious messages on an ace of diamonds that alter his perspective.
- Alexandra Jensen plays Audrey Singer, a young woman hesitant to leave her hometown or build lasting connections due to unresolved feelings for Ed and resentment toward her absent father.
- Chris Alosio appears as Marv Leota, an employee at his father’s construction company with an unusual fixation on winning stuffed toys from claw machines.
- Kartanya Maynard takes on the role of Ritchie Moran, a troubled individual coping with mental health challenges by choosing to forgo medication in pursuit of normalcy.
- Justin Smith is Senior Sergeant Hal Kaine, a police officer whose behaviour toward Ed becomes increasingly peculiar as he investigates the cryptic messages.
- Maggie Dence embodies Milla Roseby, an elderly woman who confuses Ed for her deceased husband but develops a meaningful friendship that imparts lessons about loyalty.
- Guy Edmonds features as Gavin Rose
Production
Commissioned in May 2022 as part of ABC’s 90th anniversary original content lineup, The Messenger began filming in June 2022. The series is co-produced through FabFiction, a scripted collaboration among three German public broadcasters.
Funding was provided by Screen Australia and Screen NSW, while production was managed by Lingo Pictures, a division of ITV Studios. All3Media International oversees global distribution.
Producer Jason Stephens expressed enthusiasm about acquiring the rights to Markus Zusak’s novel, which had attracted considerable interest from American producers. Zusak insisted the adaptation remain set in Australia and granted the creative team considerable latitude to interpret the material beyond strict adherence to the original text.
Episodes
The show premiered on 14 May 2023 at 8:20 pm, with all episodes simultaneously released on ABC iView. Due to low audience numbers, the broadcast time shifted to 9:30 pm starting with episode four.
Broadcast
The series launched on 14 May 2023.
Reception
Critical response was mixed; performances were generally commended while narrative structure drew criticism.
Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian, awarding four stars for the first four episodes, remarked on a "unique chemistry between setting and character" and praised the directors and writers for blending comedy and drama with a "subtle and unusual quirkiness." He also highlighted the cinematography’s contribution to a "retro aesthetic" and appreciated the streamlined storytelling.
David Knox from TV Tonight rated the initial two episodes three-and-a-half stars, describing the series as an amalgamation of drama, dark humor, and magical realism. He lauded McKenna as an engaging lead and suggested ABC aimed to capture younger demographics, although he questioned its resonance with traditional ABC viewers, categorising it as premium content targeting young adults.
Mel Campbell of ScreenHub offered a more critical perspective with two-and-a-half stars. She argued that the series often sacrifices clarity to preserve mystery, struggled with inconsistent character motivations, and oscillated between realistic drama and magical realism. Nevertheless, she acknowledged that "the cast perform admirably despite these shortcomings."
See also
- Dispatches from Elsewhere, an American television series from 2020 featuring a comparable concept.
External links
- available on ABC iview
- The Messenger featured on Screen Australia