The Newsreader

The Newsreader

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment, Television
Founded	August 15, 2021 (2021-08-15)
Founder	Michael Lucas
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia
Key people	Emma Freeman (director, executive producer), Michael Lucas (creator, writer, producer), Joanna Werner (executive producer), Stuart Menzies (executive producer)
Products	Television drama series
Owner	Werner Film Productions

The Newsreader is an Australian dramatic television series created by Michael Lucas and aired on ABC Television, featuring performances by Anna Torv and Sam Reid. The narrative centers on the intertwined personal and professional experiences of journalists and production staff within a 1980s Australian newsroom setting.

The debut season launched on 15 August 2021, quickly becoming ABC's highest-rated drama for that year. Its follow-up season was released in September 2023. Both installments garnered widespread critical praise and secured multiple nominations at the AACTA Awards in 2021 and 2023. A concluding third season, comprising six episodes, premiered on 2 February 2025 via ABC iView, further delving into the transformative changes within the media industry of the period.

Leading production personnel include Emma Freeman as director and executive producer, Michael Lucas serving as writer and producer, alongside executive producers Joanna Werner and Stuart Menzies. The series is a product of Werner Film Productions, receiving significant funding from ABC in collaboration with VicScreen, while international distribution is handled by eOne.

Main

• Anna Torv portrays Helen Norville, who becomes the first female anchor of the top-rated News at Six. She progresses professionally despite enduring widespread sexism and mental health challenges, embarking on a recovery journey that involves a romantic relationship with junior reporter Dale.
• Sam Reid plays Dale Jennings, starting as a junior reporter whose ambition propels him to become Helen's producer. Their relationship attracts media scrutiny while Dale grapples with fears about his personal secrets being revealed.
• Robert Taylor appears as Geoff Walters (series 1–2), a veteran co-anchor critical of the increasing entertainment focus in news programming. Feeling marginalized, he confronts health issues but resists efforts to remove him.
• William McInnes takes on the role of Lindsay Cunningham, the demanding head of the News at Six newsroom who prioritizes ratings.
• Marg Downey acts as Evelyn Walters, Geoff’s wife who strategically manages his career to safeguard their financial stability.
• Stephen Peacocke plays Rob Rickards, sports editor and former VFL athlete, who faces difficulties after being promoted to co-anchor and develops a closer connection with Noelene.
• Michelle Lim Davidson portrays Noelene Kim (later Rickards), a dedicated researcher and autocue operator for News at Six, striving to excel despite facing pressure and mistreatment.
• Chum Ehelepola is Dennis Tibb, the precise yet temperamental head producer.
• Chai Hansen plays Tim Ahern, a cameraman who harbors a partly unreciprocated affection for Dale.
• Rory Fleck Byrne appears as Gerry Carroll (series 2), a well-liked variety show host and comedian.
• Daniel Gillies portrays Charlie Tate (series 2), the network’s charismatic new CEO focused on rebranding the channel with a more casual news approach.
• Philippa Northeast acts as Kay Walters (series 2–3), Geoff and Evelyn’s fashion-conscious daughter dealing with complex family relationships.
• Daniel Henshall plays Bill McFarlane (series 3), Helen’s producer who advances to co-executive producer on Public Eye, with unreturned romantic feelings that complicate their professional interactions.

Recurring

• Caroline Lee portrays Jean Pascoe, the newsroom secretary who keeps track of office rumors.
• Maria Angelico plays Cheryl Ricci, the chatty make-up artist for News at Six.
• John Leary appears as Murray Gallagher, editor of News at Six.
• Jackson Tozer acts as Ross McGrath, the sound technician supporting Tim in series 1 and Brian in series 2.
• Rhys Mitchell features as Brian Mathers, the cameraman for News at Six.
• Maude Davey is Val Jennings, Dale’s attentive mother who understands his troubled history.
• Queenie van de Zandt takes on Donna Gillies, a determined gossip columnist for The Sun, notorious for revealing private details about network figures.
• Bert La Bonté plays Gordon (series 1), director and camera operator at News at Six.
• Dom Phelan portrays Brett (series 1), the sports editor for News at Six.
• Meewon Yang appears as Soon-Hee Kim (series 1–3), the caring mother of Noelene.
• Joe Cho acts as Byung-Ho Kim (series 1–3), Noelene's father who initially doubts her relationship with Rob.
• Edwina Wren features as Cathy O'Hare (series 1, 3), Helen’s sister who encourages family healing.
• Damian Callinan plays Frank (series 2–3), director and camera operator for News at Six.
• Jane Harber is Carla Carroll (series 2), Gerry’s sociable wife.
• Claire Boucher appears as Eliza (series 2), an acquaintance of Charlie.
• Cazz Bainbridge portrays Marta (series 2), Charlie’s mistreated housekeeper.
• Nick Simpson-Deeks acts as Paul Stricker (series 2–3), a key strategist within Geoff's production team.
• Dan Spielman plays Vincent Callahan (series 2–3), head of rival Seven network newsroom who recruited Helen from Dennis.
• Hunter Page-Lochard features as Lynus Preston (series 2–3), an activist leading protests against Bicentennial celebrations on behalf of Indigenous Australians.
• Paula Nazarski appears as Aunty "Tiny" (series 2–3), an elder within Lynus' protest group.
• Andrew McFarlane (Australian actor) portrays Richard Bertrand (series 3), the new CEO of the network courted by Lindsay and Dennis, later approached to consider Lindsay's removal.
• Robin McLeavy acts as Marcia Evans (series 3), a therapist investigating Helen’s potential borderline personality disorder.
• Maria Theodorakis is Leonie Briggs (series 3), a confident secretary at Public Eye.
• Grant Piro portrays Wayne (series 3), producer of Public Eye with previous connections to Helen.
• Tom Wilson plays Nick (series 3), a male escort hired multiple times by Dale.
• Yuchen Wang features as Lee Zheng (series 3), Tim’s partner and reporter from the Hong Kong network.
• Somi Han and Ruby Roh act as Hana Rickards (series 3), the newborn daughter of Noelene and Rob.

Notable guests

• Robert Grubb appears as Dr McCormack (series 1), who frequently renews Helen’s sleeping pill prescriptions despite her weak excuses.
• Tony Rickards plays Dr Shaw (series 1), Geoff’s physician who encounters resistance from both Geoff and Evelyn regarding health adjustments.
• Tim Draxl acts as Adam (series 1), a former schoolmate of Dale seeking forgiveness for a past incident.
• Asmara Feik portrays Alison (series 2), daughter of Gerry and Carla.
• Em Rusciano features as Rhonda (series 2), a singer hired for the News at Six promotional campaign in 1988.
• Tony Briggs plays Uncle "Owie" (series 2), a seasoned Aboriginal activist who clashes with Lynus over protest methods.
• Paula Arundell appears as Nadia (series 2), a therapist encouraging Geoff and Evelyn to assist Kay’s recovery process.
• Richard Davies acts as Glen Rickards (series 2), Rob’s sports enthusiast brother and partner to Kerrie.
• Nikki Shiels portrays Kerrie Rickards (series 2), Rob’s protective sister-in-law who is expecting a child.
• Gillian Cosgriff is Irene McFarlane (series 3), Bill’s wife.
• Carolyn Bock appears as Ann Bertrand (series 3), spouse of Richard Bertrand.
• Clarence Ryan acts as Deano Prince (series 3), a former VFL player subjected to racial abuse and social exclusion.
• Peta Brady plays Daniela Aranz (series 3), an ex-psychiatrist from a mental health institution.
• Mark Mitchell portrays Brian Mathers' father (series 3).
• Lewis Mitchell and Callum Mitchell act as Declan and Kieran Mathers (series 3), brothers of Brian Mathers.
• Catherine Glavcic appears as Bev Gibson (series 3), a network executive aiming to overhaul Dale’s on-air presentation following negative feedback.
• Nick Farnell plays Greg 'Walshy' Walsh (series 3), a Seven executive whose meddling frustrates Helen.

Series 2 (2023)

On 19 September, episodes 3 through 6 were made available on ABC iView prior to their scheduled television broadcast. Each installment was accompanied by a podcast featuring interviews with cast members and guests connected to the episode's subject matter.

For additional perspectives, refer to the supplementary podcast episodes released alongside this series.

Series 3 (2025)

All episodes premiered on ABC iView before their linear airing on 2 February 2025.

Production

Created by Michael Lucas and Joanna Werner, the series was directed by Emma Freeman and filmed in Melbourne. Writing contributions came from Lucas, Jonathan Gavin, Niki Aken, and Kim Ho. Executive production was handled by Joanna Werner, Stuart Menzies, Brett Sleigh, and Sally Riley for ABC. Funding support was provided by Screen Australia and Film Victoria.

Development

Michael Lucas began developing The Newsreader around 2015 while working on Party Tricks and Offspring. The original concept did not take place in a newsroom; rather, it aimed to invert gender norms with a male protagonist grappling with traditional masculinity and a female lead embodying those characteristics. The decision to set the story in a 1980s newsroom was introduced later to emphasize the challenges of gender roles amid the workplace sexism prevalent during that decade.

Lucas undertook extensive research into newsrooms of the 1980s by interviewing industry veterans and examining newspapers from 1986 to authentically capture the cultural atmosphere. The series was developed on spec; leveraging his prior relationship with ABC and access to archival news footage, Lucas secured swift approval for a pilot. Brett Sleigh from ABC recommended structuring episodes around actual historical events rather than generic plots to maximize the use of ABC’s archival resources. The show opens with the Challenger disaster—a significant childhood memory for Lucas—and integrates major news stories from 1986 alongside broader societal issues, balancing historical fidelity with narrative flexibility.

A writers’ room established in 2017 included both seasoned researchers and emerging voices such as Kim Ho. Archival material and research were completed before scriptwriting began to ground storylines in factual context, while emotional narratives remained adaptable throughout production. For the second season, Lucas continued blending specific dated events with wider ’80s news themes, exploring topics like emerging current affairs programming and journalist branding through characters such as Geoff.

International sales initially encountered obstacles due to the distinctly Australian setting and period context. To broaden appeal overseas, storylines with global recognition—such as the Azaria Chamberlain case—were incorporated. Maintaining authenticity was crucial; vintage camera lenses were employed during filming to accurately replicate the visual style of the 1980s for international partners.

Commissioned in April 2020, pre-production commenced by October with casting revealed in November. Although eight episodes were initially planned, ABC commissioned six episodes for the first season. In March 2022, ABC renewed The Newsreader for a second season set in 1987. Shortly after the second series premiered in September 2023, a third and final season was announced. Lucas explained that this three-series structure follows a classic dramatic arc centered on protagonists Helen and Dale.

Casting and characterisation

Marg Downey initially found the audition process for Evelyn unexpected but grew connected to the character after reading the script, identifying her as a subtle yet controlling figure, embodying the "power behind the throne" archetype. The role of Noelene was specifically tailored for Michelle Lim Davidson, marking a milestone as the first Korean Australian woman featured prominently in an Australian television drama. Davidson commended the series for its cultural genuineness and its contribution to increasing Korean representation on Australian screens.

Anna Torv accepted the role of Helen Norville after reviewing the first two episodes, with casting confirmed in early 2020. Her interpretation evolved to distinguish between the professional personas of a newsreader versus a journalist. Sam Reid, portraying Dale, worked closely with director Emma Freeman to craft a newsreader persona that balanced a "public and private mask," illustrating Dale’s internal conflict with embodying idealized masculinity. Torv described Helen as a composite of various female newsreaders she studied and valued the collaborative, improvisational atmosphere encouraged by creator Michael Lucas and director Freeman. She regarded her experience on The Newsreader as one of her most creatively fulfilling and noted that the series’ conclusion was carefully shaped throughout production.

The second season introduced new characters, including Daniel Gillies as the network CEO, Philippa Northeast as Kay (the nuanced daughter of Geoff and Evelyn), Rory Fleck Byrne as variety show host Gerry, and Hunter Page-Lochard portraying activist Lynus—an individual inspired by actual participants in the 1988 Bicentennial protests. The original cast returned, although Chai Hansen’s appearances were reduced due to commitments with Amazon Prime Video's Night Sky. Em Rusciano made a musical cameo, complemented by appearances from contemporary Australian TV journalists to enhance authenticity. Multiple casting calls were held to recruit extras for crowd scenes set in 1980s environments.

Adrian Russell Wills, who wrote episode four centered on Aboriginal activism, based Lynus on his brother and aimed to connect Indigenous passion with wider audience understanding through Helen’s perspective. His goal was to cultivate empathy by presenting Indigenous struggles in accessible terms—a rare approach in media portrayals. This episode aired during the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum campaign, adding timely relevance. Creator Lucas acknowledged Wills’ 2014 documentary 88, which explores the Bicentennial protests, as an essential resource during production.

Cast input and involvement

Michael Lucas and director Emma Freeman highlighted the series’ deeply collaborative nature, involving extensive cooperation with actors. During script development, Freeman relays feedback from cast and crew to Lucas, while he supports her direction on set. Lucas described Freeman as the "primary storyteller" during filming, with his role focused on resolving script issues. He emphasized continuous dialogue with actors as central to creating a "shared work." Freeman termed it an "exceptionally collaborative production," noting that lead actors Reid and Torv contributed to script development throughout shooting. Her directing approach prioritizes capturing spontaneous energy during filming over heavy reliance on post-production editing, preserving genuine performances especially from Helen and Dale.

Regarding character backgrounds, Lucas provides additional details only upon actors’ requests, encouraging them to develop personal interpretations. Reid and Torv have enriched their roles under Freeman’s guidance; Torv mentioned conversations about Helen’s history, while Lim Davidson undertook thorough research to authentically represent her culturally significant character despite limited screen time. McInnes preferred adhering strictly to the script, acknowledging that different actors benefit from varied approaches.

Following the release of season two, cast members reflected on their levels of creative input, which ranged from improvisation to strict script adherence depending on what best served their characters. Lim Davidson noted how understanding her character’s perceived lower status influenced her performance choices, whereas Torv occasionally modified lines to deepen scenes. Director Freeman encouraged spontaneous moments by withholding certain scene details or permitting freeform acting during pivotal sequences such as the Christmas party.

An intimacy coordinator was brought on board for season two to ensure Dale’s sexuality was portrayed sensitively and accurately for the period in episode three. Lim Davidson played an active role in costume decisions for her character, including selecting a salmon-colored pantsuit developed collaboratively with Freeman, Lucas, and the costume designer to balance period authenticity with character consistency.

Filming

The inaugural series was shot across 54 production days spanning late 2020 to early 2021, with COVID-19 protocols restricting extensive location shoots. A significant portion of the scenes illustrating the aftermath of the Russell Street bombing was filmed on location at the actual site. Producer Michael Lucas made a guest appearance to foster a closer rapport with the cast. Studio sequences for The News at Six were captured at NEP Studios situated in Southbank, Melbourne, while the newsroom office scenes took place in a former chemical warehouse located in Brooklyn, Victoria.

Prior to the debut of the first series, Lucas sought to acquire archival materials for use in the second series, facilitated by ABC’s diligent archives team which allowed early-stage development. The ABC greenlit the second series before the initial season aired, granting creative latitude independent of viewer feedback. Cast members were provided with comprehensive booklets detailing major occurrences from 1987 and 1988 to acquaint them with the historical news events portrayed.

Production for the second installment commenced in Melbourne in July 2022, spanning 56 shooting days over an 11-week period and wrapping up in late September. The emphasis on location filming influenced script decisions significantly. Newsdesk studio scenes were filmed consecutively over eight weeks utilizing a blend of cinematic cameras and vintage Betacam equipment to authentically recreate 1980s television aesthetics. Post-production was finalized by April 2023; notably, the original final episode’s duration was reduced from 84 minutes to a one-hour runtime.

The use of archival footage increased in series two, including a "Four Corners" interview featuring then-Finance Minister Paul Keating, which was seamlessly integrated as if conducted by a character within the show. Additionally, permission was secured for incorporating archival clips of Kylie Minogue appearing later in the series.

Pre-production activities for the third series began in December 2023 with table reads, followed by principal photography starting January 2024 at Neighbours studios near Melbourne’s central business district. Filming concluded after completing 56 shooting days in March 2024.

Historical accuracy

Matt Neal from ABC News commended the series for its meticulous attention to historical authenticity, remarking that most deviations involved rearranging event dates for dramatic purposes—examples include Halley's Comet and the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson depicted in the first season. In the second season, inaccuracies involved the scheduling of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s visit to Germany and alterations to the First Fleet reenactment route; Neal also pointed out dialogue that exaggerated Aboriginal celebrity Ernie Dingo’s prominence relative to that era. Separately, Michael Lucas explained that the timing of News at Six election coverage drew inspiration from actual Eyewitness News promotions promising early results.

The teams responsible for costumes, hair, and makeup placed strong emphasis on period authenticity. Hair and makeup artist John Logue leveraged his experience working with genuine newsreaders from that time. Costume designer Zed Dragojlvoich described challenges in procuring 1980s clothing that avoided appearing too modern, focusing on garments that maintained each character’s core identity while ensuring historical accuracy.

Australia

In July 2021, the initial trailer for the series was unveiled. The show made its debut on ABC on 15 August 2021. Prior to the premiere, ABC released a series of videos on YouTube and various social media platforms, featuring cast members and production staff discussing the historical news events depicted in the show.

The release date for the second season was announced in August 2023, coinciding with the launch of the official The Newsreader Podcast. This podcast, hosted by Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar, provides listeners with a deeper understanding of 1980s newsroom journalism, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews with the cast, and insider anecdotes from the set. Despite ongoing strikes by actors and writers in the United States, Torv and Reid were permitted to promote the series. The new season premiered on 8 September 2023 at a special event held at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), which included a question-and-answer session with both cast and crew. Furthermore, episodes 3 through 6 were released early on ABC iView on 19 September 2023, ahead of their scheduled television broadcast.

International

Entertainment One secured international distribution rights for The Newsreader towards the end of 2020. Since then, broadcasting or streaming rights have been sold to Arte for France and Germany; BBC in the United Kingdom; Cosmo in Spain; Filmin across Portugal and Spain; NBCUniversal International Networks in Latin America; Now TV in Hong Kong; RTÉ in Ireland; The Roku Channel in the United States; Telus Presents in Canada; and Viaplay covering Poland, the Netherlands, as well as Nordic and Baltic territories.

In March 2022, the series premiered on the Roku Channel in the US but was removed in September 2023 due to cost-saving efforts targeting underperforming content. Until mid-November 2024, US viewers could access the series through Arte’s English-language version.

That same month, The Newsreader debuted on Universal TV in Brazil, New Zealand’s Eden channel and its on-demand service ThreeNow, as well as Spain’s Canal COSMO as part of Women’s Month programming. The second season launched later in New Zealand and Spain during September and November 2023 respectively.

In May 2022, Mexico saw the premiere on Universal Premiere alongside paid on-demand platforms. This launch featured a special event celebrating gender equality achievements within journalism, attended by prominent female Mexican journalists.

In Ireland, the series airs on RTÉ2 with availability on-demand via RTÉ Player. The first season premiered in June 2022, followed by the second season’s release in September 2023. In the UK market, BBC acquired broadcasting rights; the first season aired in August 2022 with episodes accessible on BBC Two and via BBC iPlayer streaming services. The second season is scheduled for December 2023.

Arte introduced the series to audiences in France and Germany beginning January 2023. The second season debuted in Latin America on Universal Plus on 6 November 2023 and internationally through Viaplay starting 15 November.

Viewership

Average ratings (Australia; millions of viewers)
Overnight ratings for season one exclude on-demand viewing (BVOD).
For seasons two and three, figures omit pre-broadcast on-demand viewership, resulting in artificially low numbers.

Season	Year aired	Metro				Total/National
		Overnights	Rank	Consolidated	Rank	Overnights (excl. BVOD)	Rank	Overnights (incl. BVOD)	Rank	Consolidated	Rank
1	2021	0.460	11	0.750	Template:N/A	0.685	10	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	1.067	Template:N/A
2	2023	0.289	10	0.440	8	0.408	11	0.430	12	0.619	9
3	2025	Metric deprecated				Template:Avg	Template:Avg	Template:Avg	Template:Avg	Template:Avg	Template:Avg

The Newsreader ranked as Australia’s fourth most-watched free-to-air adult drama during 2021 and stood as ABC’s leading drama that year, averaging approximately 1.5 million viewers across live broadcasts and digital platforms combined. Its premiere episode achieved the highest ratings among new dramas within the key demographic aged 25-54.

In the United Kingdom, the series premiered on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in July 2022 with most viewers accessing it via streaming services rather than linear TV broadcasts. The first season became the top new drama on public service broadcaster demand platforms shortly after release, doubling its audience size within a week following its linear airing. The second season launched in November 2023 and quickly entered iPlayer’s top ten most-watched shows, maintaining a spot within the top forty during its subsequent week of availability.

Critical reception

The series has been met with extensive praise from critics.

Sinead Stubbins of The Sydney Morning Herald described The Newsreader as "a polished, compelling, and outstanding Australian drama, potentially the finest produced in the country in recent years," commending its integration of historical events to shed light on ongoing issues such as workplace homophobia and racism. Karl Quinn, also writing for The Sydney Morning Herald, awarded the series five stars, calling it "exceptional" with "sharp, empathetic, and humorous writing," and applauded director Emma Freeman’s skillful management of the ensemble cast. David Free drew attention to the show's careful recreation of 1980s fashion and props. Nevertheless, Marama Whyte, writing in History Australia, criticized the period backdrop as "all style, little substance," pointing out a missed opportunity to delve into industry transformations of that era.

Luke Buckmaster from The Guardian Australia’’ placed the show ninth in his list of top Australian TV productions for 2021, highlighting strong performances by Torv and Reid alongside the effective incorporation of actual media stories as narrative foundations. He also remarked on the show's restrained exploration of diversity within the media sector, suggesting some historical realities were softened. Helen Vatsikopoulos of The Canberra Times, who was a journalist during the period depicted, noted that 1980s newsrooms were less diverse than presented. In contrast, Helen Hawkins of The Arts Desk praised the series for its ethnically varied characters, viewing this as a subtle way to examine underlying tensions in Australian corporate culture.

Rachel Aroesti from The Guardian lauded the series for authentically capturing newsroom interactions during major tragedies and offering a layered depiction of journalistic challenges but felt that Torv’s character merited greater emphasis—a view shared by James Croot of New Zealand's Stuff, who regarded the show as "essentially Torv’s... vehicle," underscoring her compelling performance.

Response

In response to criticisms regarding the depiction of a more diverse newsroom than historically accurate, Chum Ehelepola clarified on Instagram that this reflects "the shortcomings of the era" rather than the production itself. Prior to the release of the second season, Ehelepola emphasized how his role contributes to addressing past racial exclusions in media and encourages reflection on current diversity in leadership positions. He also referenced industry opinions, including a Disney executive's assertion that diversity fosters "excellent economic outcomes" by boosting global market appeal. Satirist Mitch McTaggart argued that modern productions should not be restricted by strict historical accuracy in casting choices.

Awards

At both the 11th AACTA Awards and 13th AACTA Awards, The Newsreader topped all contenders with the highest number of nominations.

Best Sound in Television Best Production Design in Television Paddy Reardon – Episode 4: The Hungry Truth Template:Nom Best Costume Design in Television Zed Dragojlovich – Episode 4: The Hungry Truth Template:Won Best Casting Nathan Lloyd Template:Nom rowspan="20" 2021 rowspan="16" 11th AACTA AwardsAACTA Award for Best Television Drama SeriesThe Newsreader – Joanna Werner & Michael Lucas (ABC) Template:WonAACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama Sam Reid Template:NomAACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama Anna Torv Template:Won rowspan="2"|AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama William McInnes Template:Won Stephen Peacocke Template:Nom rowspan="2"|AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama Michelle Lim Davidson Template:Nom Marg Downey Template:Nom rowspan="2"|AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television Michael Lucas – Episode 1: Three, Two, One... Template:Nom Kim Ho & Michael Lucas – Episode 5: No More Lies Template:NomAACTA Award for Best Direction in Television Emma Freeman – Episode 1: Three, Two, One... Template:Won Best Cinematography in Television Earle Dresner – Episode 1: Three, Two, One... Template:Nom Best Editing in Television Angie Higgins – Episode 5: No More Lies Template:Nom Best Sound in Television Nick Godkin – Episode 1: Three, Two, One Template:Nom Best Production Design in Television Melinda Doring – Episode 1: Three, Two, One... Template:Won Best Costume Design in Television Marion Boyce – Episode 1: Three, Two, One... Template:Nom Best Casting Nathan Lloyd Template:Nom rowspan=3 2021 TV Blackbox Awards Most Popular Australian Drama The NewsreaderTemplate:Won rowspan=2 Most Popular Actor Anna Torv (for The Newsreader and Fires) Template:Nom Stephen Peacocke (for The Newsreader, RFDS, and Five Bedrooms) Template:Nom 2021 Casting Guild Awards Best Casting in a TV Drama, Miniseries and Telemovie Nathan Lloyd Template:Won

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result
2024
	2024 International Emmy Awards	Best Drama Series	The Newsreader	Template:Nom
	2024 Logie Awards	Best Drama Program	The Newsreader	Template:Nom
		Best Lead Actor in a Drama	Sam Reid	Template:Nom
		Best Lead Actress in a Drama	Anna Torv	Template:Nom
		Best Supporting Actress	Michelle Lim Davidson	Template:Nom
	Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards International Program Competition	Scripted – Drama Series: English Language	The Newsreader – Werner Film Productions, ABC, eOne	Template:Nom
	Screen Producers Awards 2024	Drama Series Production of the Year	The Newsreader S2 – Werner Film Productions	Template:Won
	13th AACTA Awards	AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series	The Newsreader – Joanna Werner, Michael Lucas (Werner Film Productions)	Template:Won
		AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama	Sam Reid	Template:Nom
		AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama	Anna Torv	Template:Won
		AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama	William McInnes	Template:Nom
			Hunter Page-Lochard	Template:Won
		AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama	Michelle Lim Davidson	Template:Nom
			Marg Downey	Template:Nom
		AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television	Adrian Russell Wills – Episode 4: The Hungry Truth	Template:Nom
		AACTA Award for Best Direction in Television	Emma Freeman – Episode 4: The Hungry Truth	Template:Won
		Best Cinematography in Television	Earle Dresner – Episode 4: The Hungry Truth	Template:Nom
		Best Editing in Television	Angie Higgins – Episode 4: The Hungry Truth	Template:Nom
		Nick Godkin et al. – Episode 6: Fireworks	Template:Nom
		AWGIE Awards	Best Script for Television – Series	Kim Ho – "People Like You and Me"	Template:Nom
		2023	Australian Directors Guild Awards	Best Direction in a TV or SVOD Drama Series Episode	Emma Freeman – The Newsreader (series 2)	Template:Won
			C21 Media International Drama Awards	Best Returning Drama Series	The Newsreader – Werner Film Productions (ABC), distributed by Entertainment One	Template:Nom
	2022	Australian Directors Guild Awards	Best Direction in a TV or SVOD Drama Series Episode	Emma Freeman – "Three, Two, One..."	Template:Won
AWGIE Awards		Best Script for Television – Series	Niki Aken – "A Step Closer to the Madness"	Template:Nom
			Kim Ho & Michael Lucas – "No More Lies"	Template:Won
Equity Ensemble Awards		Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series	The Newsreader cast including Anna Torv, Sam Reid, Michelle Lim Davidson	Template:Won
Logie Awards of 2022		Most Outstanding Drama Series	The Newsreader	Template:Won
		Most Popular Drama Program	The Newsreader	Template:Nom
		Most Outstanding Actress	Anna Torv	Template:Won
		Most Popular Actress	Anna Torv	Template:Nom
		Most Outstanding Actor	Sam Reid	Template:Nom
		Most Outstanding Supporting Actor	William McInnes	Template:Nom
2022 SPA Awards		Drama Series Production of the Year	The Newsreader	Template:Won

External links

• Available on ABC iview
  • Accessible via ABC Listen
• Visit Werner Film Productions for The Newsreader project details: [1]
• Explore the score for The Newsreader series 1 on composer Cornel Wilczek's official site: [2]