“Turn Up The Volume” will premiere on the ABC on March 24.
The 10-part drama series is aimed at younger audiences, with all episodes hitting ABC iView at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, March 24. On linear television, the first episode will air at 6:00 p.m. on ABC Me.
“Turn Up The Volume” follows a group of female and gender non-conforming teenagers as they come together at music camp and form a rock band. Riya Mandrawa, Elaine King, Mira Russo, Erza James and Ayiana Ncube star as the young band members, while Justine Clarke, Michala Banas, Kaiya Jones and Spencer McLaren also star in the series.
It was inspired by the coming-of-age documentary “No Time For Quiet” which showcased the first Girls Rock! Camp in Melbourne, and explores the power of music, friendship and creativity as forces of transformation and connection.
The show was produced by Matchbox Pictures and Film Camp production, with major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC and finance from Vic Screen. Philippa Campey and Rachel Davis were producers, and Amanda Higgs and the ABC’s Margaret Ross were executive producers.
Production kicked off on “Turn Up The Volume” in July, with Libby Doherty, ABC’s head of children’s, saying she knows the story will strike a chord with the ABC Me audience who are finding their voice.
“‘Turn Up The Volume’ is a heartfelt voyage through the streets of Footscray for young girls and gender non-conforming teens. Leaning into the zeitgeist this series explores identity, love and teen loss set against the struggles of growing up, all through the relatable prism of music and – starting a band,” Doherty said.
“There is an extraordinary team of emerging talent in front and behind the camera assembled for this show. Supported by the safe hands of Rachel Davis and Philippa Campey, who have a track record for finding and telling extraordinary stories from an unexpected perspective, along with the powerhouse team from Matchbox Pictures.”