The Commons is a new eight-part Stan Original series, set at the crossroads of climate change and the cutting edge of biotechnology.

The character-driven thriller stars international three-time Emmy Award-nominee and Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt (Liar, Downton Abbey, A Crooked Somebody) and Rupert Penry-Jones (The Strain, Silk, Whitechapel, Spooks). They joined an acclaimed cast of Australian actors including Damon Herriman (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Perpetual Grace, LTD) and Ryan Corr (Holding the Man, Hacksaw Ridge, Bloom, Below).

Produced by Playmaker, production has been underway throughout Sydney on the premium drama, created by AACTA Award-winning showrunner Shelley Birse (The Code), who wrote the series in collaboration with an award-winning team of Australian TV writers including Matt Ford (Hiding), Michael Miller (Cleverman) and Matt Cameron (Jack Irish).

Further cast includes David Lyons (Seven Seconds, Safe Haven), John Waters (Mystery Road, Offspring, Rake), Fayssal Bazzi (The Merger, Stateless), Simone McAullay (Broadchurch, Blue Heelers), Andrea Demetriades (Seven Types of Ambiguity, Janet King, The End), Felix Williamson (The Letdown, Peter Rabbit, The Great Gatsby), Inez Currò (Picnic at Hanging Rock), Dominic Ona-Ariki (Jonah, Savage) and Zara Michales (Diary of an Uber Driver).

Set in the not-too-distant future, The Commons is a story about motherhood as the ultimate act of faith in humanity. Part mystery, part relationship drama, it puts a human face on the future effects of climate change and the heroism that lies inside us all when our backs are against the wall.

Directed by AACTA Award-winner Jeffrey Walker (Riot, Lambs of God), alongside Rowan Woods (Nowhere Boys, Rake) and Jennifer Leacey (Reckoning, The Secrets She Keeps), Stan’s latest original production is a gritty, intense and visually-spectacular drama and its biggest project to date.

The Commons is produced by Australian-based production house, Playmaker with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW. Financed with support from Stan, Sony Pictures Television will handle worldwide sales of the series.

Ausfilm members Fox Studios Australia provided production offices, art department and costume facilities during the shoot, Panavision supplied camera equipment and Heliguy provided drone solutions. Blackbird is the VFX partner for the production.

Photos by John Platt.