The cast for upcoming SBS dramedy series “While the Men Are Away” has been revealed.
“While the Men Are Away” is a queer revisionist historical dramedy set in 1940s rural Australia while the men are off fighting in World War II. Two Women’s Land Army recruits from Sydney arrive in the country and undergo a heady course in race relations, rural politics, farming, spirituality, sexuality and personal growth.
The series is already in pre-production in Sydney and will include the Casting Guild of Australia’s Rising Star winner for 2022 Shaka Cook (“Hamiton”), as well as fellow Rising Star nominee Max McKenna (“Jagged Little Pill”).
Benedict Hardie (“Nautilus”) and Gemma Ward (“The Great Gatsby”) will also star in the series.
Elissa Down (“The Black Balloon”) from Arcadia will direct the series, and Monica Zanetti (“Elle and Abbie (And Ellie’s Dead Aunt”)) will direct for one episode.
It is the first scripted series for AACTA Award-winning producer Lisa Shaunessy (“Sissy”) under her production company Arcadia, and was created by Kim Wilson (“Wentworth”), Alexandra Burke (“Sissy”) and Zanetti.
Down said she’s thrilled to be back home in Australia to direct “While the Men Are Away”.
“The scripts are like nothing I’ve read before – irreverent, absurd, funny and also incredibly heartfelt and moving,” she said.
“Our team, like the characters in the show, are a band of beautiful misfits. Huge kudos to SBS for commissioning the series.”
Creator Wilson also thanked SBS for throwing its support behind the series.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this show and the immensely talented people working so hard to bring it to life,” she said.
“Elissa’s innate gift for finding the heart amidst the humour, while eliciting incredible performances from actors, makes her the perfect fit. Lisa and Alex and their team at Arcadia have been champions of this world from the outset, working above and beyond. Add the amazing support from SBS to the mix, and we have the ingredients to make something really special.”
Julie Eckersley, SBS’ head of scripted, said: “‘While the Men Are Away’ is a series that delivers on our vision to tell exciting and authored work that is uniquely Australian while having global appeal. This queer, sexy, warm-hearted series is our first foray into half-hour dramas and we think our audiences will love it. It is another great example of the fresh and distinct content that SBS brings to Australia.”
The series benefited from major production investment from Screen Australia in association with SBS. It was also financed with support from Screen NSW.
Grainne Brunsdon, Screen Australia’s head of content, said: “We’re pleased to support Arcadia’s first television series, working together with an exciting mix of established and emerging Australian writers. This is a fresh, playful and captivating dramedy, and I’ve no doubt it will entertain audiences on SBS next year.”
Kyas Hepworth, head of Screen NSW, added: “Screen NSW is thrilled to support “While the Men Are Away”. As Arcadia’s first scripted series for audiences at SBS, it boasts an inclusive story, creative team and cast, led by a talented key creative team that includes Lisa Shaunessy, Kim Wilson, Elissa Down, Monica Zanetti and Alexandra Burke.
“As the production gets underway in Central West NSW, it will boost jobs and provide valuable opportunities for regionally based cast, crew and businesses. I wish the team all the best for filming in Orange and throughout the Central West.”
