CHANNEL 5, NETWORK 10 & FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE NEXT DRAMA COMMISSION   

 EASTENDER JO JOYNER WILL STAR IN NEW THRILLER ‘RIPTIDE’

London, Thursday 14th July 2022: Channel 5, Network 10 and Fremantle Australia have once again joined forces to co-produce Riptide (4 x 60’), a premium, primetime thriller to be in filmed in Australia and starring acclaimed UK actor Jo Joyner. The four-part series was created by Fremantle Australia’s Jason Herbison whose credits include Executive Producer of the much-loved soap Neighbours and acclaimed mini-series Lie With Me, one of Channel 5’s highest rating dramas last year and a global success now screening in 85 territories. Riptide was ordered by Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment, Unscripted, Channel 5 & P+.   

Production will start on Riptide this month with renowned actor Jo Joyner, revered for her roles in many UK series including EastEnders, Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, Stay Close and award-winning Ackley Bridge in the lead role as Alison. Joining Jo is English actor Ciarán Griffiths (Shameless, The Flats) and Australian actors David Berry (Outlander, A Place Called Home), Peter O’Brien (The Unusual Suspects, Grey Nomads), Ally Fowler (Wentworth), Pia Miranda (Mustangs FC, Wentworth), rising stars Benny Turland (Neighbours, Home and Away),  Asher Yasbincek (The Heights, Heartbreak High) and Yazeed Daher (The Hunting, Safe Harbour), and newcomers Benjamin Samaddar and Sonya Suares.  

Filmed in Melbourne, Alison’s life is plunged into despair when her new Australian husband vanishes after a morning surf. Did he get caught in a dangerous riptide – or is there more to his disappearance than meets the eye? The psychological thriller will be directed by Australia Directors’ Guild Award recipient, Scott Major (Lie With Me, Neighbours) and Natalie Mandel (Lie with Me, Wanted) is on board as producer. Riptide is the first of two Fremantle Australia drama series commissioned by Channel 5 and Network 10 in 2022. Details of the second series will be released later this year. 

Jo Joyner said: “I am really excited to be working with the fantastic teams at Fremantle, Channel 5 and 10 in Australia, and playing Alison.  She is such a warm and layered character whose world is turned upside down, just when it seemed like her life was finally coming together. I am also thrilled to be filming in the fabulous city of Melbourne and surrounding countryside, an area that I have always wanted to explore.” 

Greg Barnett, Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment, Unscripted, Channel 5 & P+: commented: "Lie With Me proved incredibly popular with our viewers and I'm looking forward to expanding our drama slate even further, working hand in hand with our production partners Fremantle Australia and Network 10. Jo is an incredible talent, and I can't wait to see what she brings to this role." 

Daniel Monaghan, SVP Content & Programming, Paramount Australia & New Zealand, said: "It is wonderful to be working closely with Channel 5 and Fremantle Australia on this fantastic new drama series. We have a strong and trusted relationship and have produced many stellar drama series together in the past. Riptide will continue that great partnership."    

Jason Herbison, Executive Producer, Fremantle Australia added: “I’m thrilled to continue the partnership with Channel 5 and 10 and to bring Riptide to life. It’s the best of British meeting the best of Australian casts and crews – and I can’t wait for the audience to see what we have in store.”   

Riptide will be filmed exclusively in Victoria, Australia and has received financial investment from VicScreen. Fremantle will distribute the series internationally. Casting by Thea McLeod.     

Riptide is expected to transmit on Channel 5 in 2022.   

-ENDS- 

For further enquiries please contact: 

Emily Holmes | emily.holmes@vimn.com