The ABC has unveiled its 2027 programming slate, with new Australian dramas starring Hugo Weaving, Rebecca Gibney and Hunter Page-Lochard joining returning favourites including “Fisk”, “Gruen” and “Hard Quiz”.
Announced at the national broadcaster’s upfront presentation on Wednesday, the lineup spans scripted television, documentaries, entertainment, news and audio, with a strong focus on Australian storytelling and investigative journalism.
Among the new productions are “John Bailey – The Enemy Within”, starring David Lyons and Anthony LaPaglia, and “Help Me!”, featuring Kate Box and Sarah Peirse. The broadcaster has also commissioned documentaries examining the life and career of Alan Jones, Australia’s relationship with the United States and several high-profile criminal cases.
The ABC opened its presentation by highlighting its performance across broadcast and digital platforms. The broadcaster said it remains Australia’s most trusted media brand, while ABC News has ranked as the country’s leading digital news brand every month in 2026.
It also claimed ABC iview reaches more Australians than any other broadcaster video-on-demand platform.
“Without doubt the ABC is the undisputed leader in sharing Australia’s stories with Australians,” ABC managing director Hugh Marks said.
The 2027 slate also marks the first under ABC director of news Simon Robinson, who joined the broadcaster in September following the departure of Justin Stevens.
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Stevens resigned in May after almost 19 years at the ABC, including four as director of news, citing “reasons both professional and personal.”
His departure attracted scrutiny during Senate Estimates, where Liberal senator Sarah Henderson questioned whether he had been pushed from the role. Marks said it was “the right time for him to move on.”
Robinson, previously an executive editor at Reuters, was appointed shortly after Stevens’ resignation.
“In 2027 ABC NEWS teams across the country and around the world will continue to deliver Australians the most reliable and independent local, national and international news wherever and whenever they want to access it, as well as expert analysis and distinctive special content,” Robinson said.
Crime dramas feature prominently in the ABC’s 2027 scripted lineup.
“Fortitude Valley” stars Hunter Page-Lochard as a Queensland detective investigating a cold case after human remains are discovered in the foundations of a demolished government building. Kat Stewart and Rupert Everett also star.
Rebecca Gibney leads the new buddy-cop series “Rural Crime Unit”, which follows investigations involving everything from missing livestock to crop circles.
Meanwhile, Tasma Walton and Ursula Yovich star as Indigenous private investigators in “Pilli Sisters P.I.”
Hugo Weaving will headline “The Great White”, playing a disgraced barrister operating out of an office above a panel beater’s workshop in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. After taking on a dangerous dog case, he finds himself in the Supreme Court fighting to free a zoo elephant.
In “Help Me!”, Kate Box and Sarah Peirse play an estranged mother and daughter whose reunion at a café takes an unexpected turn when a stranger passes them a note written in lipstick.
“John Bailey – The Enemy Within” follows a war correspondent investigating a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of government, with David Lyons and Anthony LaPaglia leading the cast.
Returning productions include a fourth season of Kitty Flanagan’s “Fisk”, a second season of “Dog Park” and Sam Pang’s “Ground Up”, the comedy centred on the establishment of Tasmania’s AFL team.
“Our Screen slate is built around unmissable Australian stories with integrity, originality and authenticity,” said ABC director of screen Jennifer Collins.
“Our 2027 line-up reflects the breadth of Australian life, with something for all of our audience, whatever their age, interests or background. We’re proud to be backing Australian creatives and bringing their work to audiences on screen in 2027 and beyond.”
The ABC’s documentary lineup includes several projects led by Australian journalists and filmmakers.
“Mark of a Murderer” follows journalist-turned-politician Colleen Egan and her 25-year investigation into the 1994 murders of two women near Fremantle. Her reporting contributed to the release of Andrew Mallard following a successful High Court appeal.
“Pray Harder”, based on Richard Baker’s podcast, examines coercive control within Australian religious groups through the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs in Toowoomba. Fourteen members of a religious sect, including her parents, were convicted of manslaughter.
“Silenced” follows human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson as she works on defamation cases involving women who have spoken publicly about gendered violence, including Brittany Higgins and Amber Heard.
ABC News will also produce two major documentaries.
“Alliance” examines 75 years of Australia’s relationship with the United States, while “The Rise and Fall of Alan Jones” explores the former radio broadcaster’s 35-year career, his influence on Australian public life and the indecent assault charges he is currently facing in court. Jones has denied the charges.
The broadcaster’s factual slate includes “Kingdom of the Crocodile”, which follows a dominant saltwater crocodile named Stumpy, and “Mutiny on the Boundary”, examining the 1977 Centenary Test and the events that helped transform professional cricket.
“Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds” will return with a new focus on parents, exploring intergenerational relationships and parental burnout.
Entertainment favourites “Gruen” and “Hard Quiz” are also returning, alongside “You Can’t Ask That”, which will air its first new season in four years.
Long-running music program “rage” will celebrate its 40th anniversary.
For younger audiences, the ABC has commissioned “Happy House”, a new animated series following a group of animal influencers living together, whose household is disrupted by sentient mould growing in their refrigerator.
The ABC is also expanding its audio offering, reporting that nearly one million Australians listen to its podcasts each week.
New titles include “The People Versus”, hosted by Julian Morrow, and an NRL podcast featuring Josh Mansour, Kennedy Cherrington and Andrew Fifita, launching in February 2027.
Investigative podcast “Expanse” will return for a seventh season, examining the disappearance of an aircraft over the Barrington Tops in 1981.
“We’re backing distinctive Australian voices and stories in 2027,” said ABC director of audio Ben Latimer.
“You’ll hear that in the new investigations from our podcast teams and the Australian artists coming through triple j and Unearthed. Those discoveries sit alongside the live, local radio and familiar voices people already make part of their day. That’s the strength of ABC Audio.”
“Media Watch” will also return in 2027.
From Mediaweek