(M) ★★★★★
Creator: Michael Lucas.
Cast: Anna Torv, Sam Reid, Robert Taylor, William McInnes, Chum Ehelepola, Michelle Lim Davidson, Stephen Peacocke, Chai Hansen, Marg Downey.
Airing on ABC TV, streaming on iView
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| Would you buy a used television from these people? |
All I remember from 1986 is Transformers, He-Man and Crocodile Dundee. Mind you, I was five. Turns out there was a lot of shit going down that year, some of which forms the backbone of this outstanding new Aussie drama set in a Melbourne newsroom.
Chernobyl, Halley's Comet, and the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster are three key incidents that take place during the show's six-episode season, which spans January to April in 1986. While they serve as fodder for the News At 6 team to tackle in their nightly bulletin, they also give each episode a symbolic flavour, representing a meltdown, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and a failure to launch respectively.
These three eps are great, but it's the other three covering the AIDs epidemic, the Russell Street bombing, and the release of Lindy Chamberlain that really take the show to the next level. The way they comment on the media, particularly in the AIDs and Chamberlain episodes, is sharp, while the Russell Street ep has a searing sense of energy rushing through it.
Across the board, the writing is top-notch, and the reproductions of the era are fantastic, from its hair and fashions down to its crockpots and VHS players, not to mention a great soundtrack. But its the vibe of the decade that is fascinating. Homophobia, mental health, racism and sexism are key issues that surge through the series, showing that, sadly, some things never change.
The writing and production design are sharp, but an impressive cast ensures they don't go to waste. Torv's newsreader Helen Norville is a firecracker, but also a beautifully well-rounded character delivered immacutely, going from tough as nails one minute to barely keeping it together the next, all the while feeling like a real person. Reid's reporter Dale Jennings is also amazing. He's keen yet uncertain of himself, and both Dale and Helen have secrets they're trying to come to terms with, which is another driving force in the series. Torv and Reid's abilities to balance the seemingly contradictory natures of their roles is award-worthy
McInnes' fiery newsroom boss Lindsay is another highlight, but really there isn't a single bad performance here. Lim Davidson is particularly great as under-appreciated researcher Noelene, while Hansen does a lot with his smaller role as cameraman Tim. Taylor and Downey are also imposing and impressive as veteran newsreader Geoff Walters and his scheming wife Evelyn.
The Newsreader excels at looking at what made Australia tick against a backdrop of some of the biggest events of the '80s, and while its settings and subject matter seem like the show's greatest weapons, it's actually the heart, humour and relationships conjured by some outstanding writing and delivered by its remarkable cast. These are the things that will have you begging for a richly deserved second season.
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