Barracuda is an Australian drama miniseries, first broadcast on ABC TV starting 10 July 2016.[1] The series is based on Barracuda, the 2013 novel by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas, which explores a brutal clash of cultures, dreams and expectations and the relentless demands that are placed upon young athletes, their families, friends, schools and coaches.[2]
| Barracuda | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Miniseries |
| Created by | Christos Tsiolkas |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Robert Connolly |
| Starring |
|
| Composer | Bryony Marks |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography | Stefan Duscio |
| Editor | Rodrigo Balart |
| Production company | Matchbox Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | 10 July – 31 July 2016 |
Barracuda is written by Blake Ayshford and Belinda Chayko and directed by Robert Connolly. It is produced by Tony Ayres and Amanda Higgs with Christos Tsiolkas as associate producer. The series is a Matchbox Pictures production in association with ABC Television, Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
Synopsis edit
Set from 1996, Danny Kelly is a talented swimmer who attends a prestigious Melbourne private school on a sporting scholarship. Working class, half Greek and half Irish, he is the target of harassment from the privileged students.[3] Danny yearns to win swimming gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He is taken under the wing of highly regarded coach Frank Torma and develops a friendship/rivalry with teammate Martin Taylor which inspires Danny to become a world record holder.[4]
Cast edit
- Elias Anton as Danny Kelly
- Ben Kindon as Martin Taylor
- Matt Nable as Frank Torma
- Rachel Griffiths as Samantha Taylor
- Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Neal Kelly
- Victoria Haralabidou as Stephanie Kelly
- Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Emma Taylor
- Andrew Creer as Wilco
- Jacob Collins-Levy as Clyde
- Joel Lok as Luke Tran
- Rhys Mitchell as Scooter
- Imran Adams as Theo Kelly
- Luca Sardelis as Regan Kelly
- Joe Klocek as Tsitsas
- Damon Gameau as Ben Whitter
- Helen Morse as Margot[5]
Episodes edit
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Australian viewers[nb 1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" or "1996" | Robert Connolly | Blake Ayshford | 10 July 2016 | 630,000[6] | |
| Transferring to an exclusive school on a swimming scholarship, Danny's ambitions for pool glory are met with racist hostility, especially from the swim squad's gold-winner. | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" or "1997" | Robert Connolly | Belinda Chayko | 17 July 2016 | 557,000[7] | |
| Danny welcomes the distraction of being introduced into the Taylor family's well-to-do world on a weekend away, before preparations for the National Championships begin. | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" or "1998" | Robert Connolly | Blake Ayshford | 24 July 2016 | 521,000[8] | |
| With the world stage in Kuala Lumpur awaiting him, Danny ignores the advice of his mentor and family, seeking the necessary edge from a fresh approach. | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" or "2000" | Robert Connolly | Belinda Chayko | 31 July 2016 | 514,000[9] | |
| The consequences of Danny's blinkered determination play out, as a moment of rage risks ending a fond friendship, threatening to derail his life forever. | |||||||
Note edit
Broadcast edit
Internationally, the series was acquired in the United Kingdom by BBC Three, in South Africa by Dstv[10] and Skai TV in Greece.[11]
References edit
- ^ Knox, David. "Airdate: Barracuda – TV Tonight". Tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ Knox, David. "ABC Upfronts 2016: Cleverman, Barracuda & 50 Years of Play School. – TV Tonight". Tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Review: Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas". Readings AU. 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ Entertainment (10 November 2013). "Barracuda". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Barracuda review (ABC TV): Christos Tsiolkas pulls sport and contemporary Australia into sharp focus | Daily Review: Film, stage and music reviews, interviews and more". Daily Review. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ Knox, David (21 July 2016). "timeshifted sunday 10 july 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ^ Knox, David (26 July 2016). "Timeshifted Sunday 17 July 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ^ Knox, David (6 August 2016). "Timeshifted Sunday 24 July 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ^ Knox, David (21 August 2016). "Timeshifted Sunday 31 July 2016". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ^ . Munn, Patrick (20 October 2016). "BBC Three Acquires Australian Olympics Swimming Drama 'Barracuda'". TV Wise. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- ^ ΣΚΑΪ. "Barracuda — ΣΚΑΪ (www.skai.gr)". www.skai.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 30 August 2018.
