“Warnie” has gone into production this week, with the Nine Network billing the show as the “must-see drama event of 2023”.
Casting details were also confirmed in the announcement.
Alex Williams (“Underground: The Julian Assange Story” and “The Heights”) will play titular character Shane Warne, supported by Anthony Hayes (“Gold”), Marny Kennedy (“Between Two Worlds”), Jacquie Brennan (“Wentworth”), Jeremy Stanford (“Winners and Losers”), Ben Hall (“Neighbours”), Tom Stokes (“The Railway Man”), Darcy Kent (“New Gold Mountain”) and newcomer Shanti Kali.
The two-part drama is being produced for the Nine Network by Screentime, a Banijay company.
Soon after the announcement of the series, Warne’s daughter, Brooke Warne, hit out at Nine over its decision to dramatise the life of her father so soon after his death, labelling it “beyond disrespectful”.
Warne passed away in March this year while on holiday in Thailand.
In the publicity announcement today, however, Nine said it and Screentime had met with the Warne family during pre-production, and the series has their support.
“The Nine Network looks forward to collaborating with the family as filming continues,” it added.
The network also emphasised the power of both ‘Warnie’ the personality and the program.
“Over two big nights, “Warnie” will pay tribute to one of the greatest Australians of all time, the Aussie larrikin who lived life to the full,” it said.
“There has never been and never will be another like him.
“Shane Warne was an Aussie legend, a cultural icon, a cricketing genius, a charmer and a loveable rogue.
“‘Warnie’, as he was affectionately known to all, transcended cricket.
“Like all great characters, he inspired extreme reactions from people from all walks of like, in Australia and around the world.”