DOCTOR BLAKE provides the right tonic for the ABC on a Friday night

February 14, 2014 – Itʼs been a big week for Doctor Blake. The premiere episode of The Doctor Blake Mysteries, last Friday night (8.30pm), notched up fantastic figures for a returning series on ABC1 and to cap that off the show has been named as a finalist in the drama category at the New York Festival Awards 2014. It is the only Australian drama to be nominated.

Series One of The Doctor Blake Mysteries has been nominated alongside some impressive dramas including Orphan Black (Canada), Black Mirror and Peaky Binders (UK), The Vikings (USA) and The Blue Rose (NZ). The 2014 Awards will be held inLas Vegas, in April.

In a week of noisy success for Australian TV drama The Doctor Blake Mysteries proved itself once again to be the quiet achiever for the ABC. Episode One attracted 1.399M (OZtam) viewers not including catch-up.

Producer George Adams said, “We have always been very confident about Blake but even we are amazed at the commitment and loyalty shown by our audience and to get this level of international acclaim on top is enormously satisfying for everyone involved in the show.”

Season One of The Doctor Blake Mysteries was a phenomenal success on ABC1 and was also screened in the UK on BBC1. Audiences have taken the show to heart embracing the maverick doctor (Craig McLachlan), his steadfast housekeeper Jean (Nadine Garner) and their world of medicine and mystery.

This weekʼs episode (Friday 14 February) we find ourselves in the world of Rock ʻnʼ Roll after a star collapses in the arms of his fans. The music is here to stay but not too many people in the quiet City of Ballarat are keen on this new fad. In contrast there is a touring religious road-show in town and that brings with it a “Billy Graham” like fervour. God versus the Devil has never been more clear-cut than this. Cameron Daddo is wonderful as the Evangelist. And look out for the fabulous scene with Dr Blake and housekeeper Jean by the piano as they try and get their heads around this new Rock ʼnʼ Roll craze.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries is a December Media Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Producer George Adams and Executive Producer Tony Wright. ABC Executive Producers Christopher Gist and Carole Sklan.

MRS BIGGS wins AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television

January 29, 2014 – December Media’s and ITV Studios’ acclaimed mini

series Mrs Biggs has won the Best Editing in Television Award at the 3rd inaugural AACTA Awards in Sydney this Tuesday. The mini series has been edited by Ben Lester (UK) and Mark Atkin (AUS). The latter received the prestigious award at the AACTA Awards Luncheon yesterday.

Mrs Biggs is the true story of the woman behind Britain’s most famous villain, Great Train Robber Ronald Biggs. It is the inside story on one of the most infamous crimes of the twentieth century; but more than anything it is a sweeping love story told across three decades and from one side of the world to the other.

All winners and nominees are listed on the AACTA homepage.

Time to book your appointment with the doctor. THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES returns with a whole new series on ABC 1

January 17, 2014 – Heʼs tenacious and charming

with a knack for solving crimes and he is back on Friday nights from February 7 at 8.30pm.

After the phenomenal success of series one, series two of The Doctor Blake Mysteries starring Craig McLachlan has been fast tracked. Filming of the second season only finished December 2013.

Producer George Adams says, “We are delighted

that the ABC is running Season Two of The Doctor Blake Mysteries less than a year out from Season One. These days audiences of hit shows expect a

fast seasonal turnaround. The stories, the acting and our guest cast this season are even stronger than

last time and we canʼt wait for everyone to see it.”

This season in The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Doctor Lucien Blake returns to Ballarat after an attempt to reunite with his long lost daughter. But itʼs no longer the safe haven he left behind: Danny has been transferred to Melbourne, replaced by a new Senior Constable who seems hell bent on making Blakeʼs job as police surgeon as difficult as possible. Blakeʼs old nemesis Patrick Tyneman has called in the help of some powerful men to keep an eye on Blake. And of course there are the strange and baffling murders that come his way, there are mysteries seeping out of every corner – from political corridors and church vestries, to, art galleries and rockʼnʼroll halls. Nothing is sacred? And no one is safe?

Leading the cast is Craig McLachlan as the intriguing Dr Lucien Blake. Nadine Garner plays his reliable confidante Jean Beazley, Cate Wolfe is the headstrong nurse Mattie OʼBrien, Joel Tobeck the tenacious Chief Superintendent Matthew Lawson and a newcomer Charlie Cousins plays the inscrutable Senior Constable Charlie Davis.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries is a December Media Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Producer George Adams and Executive Producer Tony Wright. ABC Executive Producers Christopher Gist and Carole Sklan.

Santa! December Media has been very very good this year!

December 12, 2013 – Itʼs been a glittering year for December Media with three of the companyʼs flagship productions receiving high recognition.

December Mediaʼs acclaimed mini-series Mrs Biggs has received eight AACTA nominations, The Doctor Blake Mysteries was the ABCs highest rating program of all ABC shows for 2013 at 1.9 million viewers on average each week and its film 3D Hidden Universe is currently two at the box office for Australian films on the basis of audience per screen.

And to top it off, it seems that the UK audiences can’t get enough of the good Doctor Blake, starring Craig McLachlan. The series telecasts on BBC1 at 2.15pm Mondays with more than 1 million viewers. Reviews in the UK have unanimously praised the show. The Australian drama series set a precedent recently as the first ABC commissioned television drama series to be telecast on the pre-eminent national broadcaster.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries also picked up the APRA award for Best Television Theme (Dale Cornelius) and Carrie Kennedy Adele Flere, Kate Russell & Rob Molnar won the APDG award for Best Design on a TV Drama.

The AACTA Nominations included Best Telefeature or Mini Series; Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama – Sheridan Smith; Best Cinematography in Television; Best Editing in Television; Sound in Television and Best Original Music Score in Television.

December Media CEO Tony Wright said,” Iʼm not expecting Santa to leave us much for being so good this year! Weʼve been reaping rewards aplenty! Everyone at December is really kicking goals. Next year is looking pretty good too.”

Earlier this year December Mediaʼs five-part mini series about the true love story between Charmian and Ronald Biggs, spanning 30 years and three continents, received a BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actress (Sheridan Smith) and Best Mini Series Nomination, BAFTA Television Awards 2013 as well as an International Emmy nomination for Best Leading Actress.

Hidden Universe, released in September this year, is currently number eight at the box office for Australian films with the expectation it will end up the year in second or third position after The Great Gatsby. The 3D film has released on 22 screens worldwide.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries (Series Two) wrapped last week after a successful five months shooting in the gothic town of Ballarat 115km north west of Melbourne. The 10-part series set in the late 1950s, stars Craig McLachlan as the intriguing Dr Lucien Blake. Nadine Garner plays housekeeper Jean Beazley, Cate Wolfe is the district nurse Mattie OʼBrien and Joel Tobeck the tenacious Chief Superintendent Matthew Lawson.

MRS BIGGS nominated for 8 AACTA Awards

December 5, 2013 – December Mediaʼs and ITV Studio‘s acclaimed mini series Mrs Biggs has received eight AACTA nominations including Best Telefeature or Mini Series;Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama (Sheridan Smith); Best Cinematography in Television; Best Editing in Television; Best Sound in Television and Best Original Music Score in Television.

Mrs Biggs is the true story of the woman behind Britain’s most famous villain, Great Train Robber Ronald Biggs. It is the inside story on one of the most infamous crimes of the twentieth century; but more than anything it is a sweeping love story told across three decades and from one side of the world to the other.

The  3rd AACTA Awards will be held in Sydney in January 2014.

For a full list of this year’s nominees visit the AACTA Awards website.

The Mrs Biggs AACTA Award Nominees are:

AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Mini Series – Kwadjo Dajan, Tony Wright
AACTA Award for Best Cinematography in Television – Fabian Wagner
AACTA Award for Best Editing in Television – Ben Lester, Mark Atkin
AACTA Award for Best Sound in Television – John Wilkinson, John Hughes AMPS, Clare Howarth, John Senior, John Whitworth
AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score in TV – Bryony Marks
AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television – Pat Campbell
AACTA Award for Best Costume Design in Television – Amy Roberts, Kitty Stuckey
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in TV Drama – Sheridan Smith

The Making of HIDDEN UNIVERSE screens Friday, Nov 22 at 7.30pm on Channel 31

November 19, 2013 – Swin TV’s The Ivory Tower goes behind-the-scenes to explore the making of Australia’s first 3D IMAX film Hidden Universe 3D featuring interviews with director Russell Scott, producer Stephen Amezdroz and astronomer Dr. Jonathan Whitmore.

The Making of Hidden Universe screens on Channel 31 on Friday, 22 November 2013 at 7.30pm.

THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES The first ever ABC commissioned drama series to air on BBC1

November 13, 2013 – December Media announced today its 10-part drama series The Doctor Blake Mysteries starring Craig McLachlan will go to air in the UK on BBC1 on Monday 25 November 2013.

Australian made TV drama is taking the world by storm but The Doctor Blake Mysteries is the first to make onto BBC1.

Producer George Adams said, “The fact that BBC1 has taken Blake after only one season is unique, unheard of and bloody wonderful all at the same time. It is a great validation of not only Blake but the rise in quality of Australian TV drama.”

In Australia, the highly successful series achieved a national average audience of 1.5 million viewers across its 10 weeks on air. ABC audiences will be treated to another series of The Doctor Blake Mysteries in 2014. The series iscurrently filming a further 10 episodes with production due to wrap at the end of this year.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries, set in the late 1950s, is filmed in the iconic town of Ballarat 115km north west of Melbourne. Craig McLachlan stars as the intriguing Dr Lucien Blake. Nadine Garner plays housekeeper Jean Beazley, Cate Wolfe is the district nurse Mattie O’Brien and Joel Tobeck the tenacious Chief Superintendent Matthew Lawson.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries is a December Media Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Producer George Adams and Executive Producer Tony Wright. ABC Executive Producers Christopher Gist and Carole Sklan.

December Media nominated for Media Super Production Business of the Year

October 11, 2013 –  December Media has been nominated for Media Super Production Business of the Year at this year’s Screen Producers Australia Awards!

The Screen Producers Australia Awards recognise the creation of outstanding screen content by Australian screen businesses. The Awards will be held during the Screen Forever Conference 2013 on Wednesday 20 November in Melbourne.

Fore more information visit the SPAA Screen Forever website.

MRS BIGGS Sheridan Smith nominated for International Emmy

October 8, 2013 – The nominations for the 41st International EMMY® Awards have been announced.19 countries are represented this year,with the ceremony taking place on November 25 in New York City.

British Actress Sheridan Smith has been nominated for Best Actress for her performance as Charmian Biggs in December Media and ITV’s mini series Mrs Biggs.

The nominees for BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS are:

Li Sun
In The Back Palace: Legend of Zhen Huan
Dongyang Flower Film TV Culture / Beijing TV Art Center / SMG Picture / Beijing Star Galaxy Film TV Culture Communication
PR China
Sheridan Smith In Mrs Biggs
ITV Studios / December Media
UK
Lotta Tejle In 30 Degrees in February
SVT / Fundament Film
Sweden
Fernanda Montenegro In Sweet Mother
TV Globo
Brazil

Fore a full list of nominees visit the International EMMY® Awards website.

Australia’s first 3D IMAX film Hidden Universe 3D hits stellar heights at the box office in its first week

October 1, 2013 – Hidden Universe3D is hidden no longer. In its first week of release, Australia’s first 3D IMAX production has reached the Top 18 of the Australian Box Office. For the weekend of the film’s release Hidden Universe3D grossed $30,056. With only

two prints of the film in circulation, it wins the average gross per print by far with $15,028/print in front of Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine ($8,518/print).

Hidden Universe3D takes audiences on a breathtaking journey deep into space in the cinematic medium that transports audiences like no other. With the full power of IMAX 3D cinematography, the deepest reaches of our universe are brought to life with unprecedented clarity through real images captured by the world’s most powerful telescopes—seen on-screen and in 3D for the first time.

Stunning, high-resolution 3D images of space allow moviegoers to explore the earliest galaxies, watch stars being born in vivid clouds of gas and dust, tour the surface of Mars, and witness images of distant celestial structures including stunning views of the Sun.

Seen for the first time in IMAX 3D, these dramatic new images offer fresh insight into the origins and evolution of the universe.

Narrated by Golden Globe winner Miranda Richardson, Hidden Universe3D is a December Cinema Productions film produced in association with Swinburne University of Technology, Film Victoria, and the European Southern Observatory (ESO).  Executive produced by Emmy®-award-winning producer Tony Wright.  Produced in association with MacGillivray Freeman Films. Produced by Stephen Amezdroz and written and directed by Russell Scott. The musical score is by Dale Cornelius.

www.hiddenuniversemovie.com

Doctor Blake returns to Ballarat

August 1, 2013 – Filming of the second season of The Doctor Blake Mysteries has commenced last Monday. Production will take place in Melbourne and Ballarat during the next 6 months and the audience will

see the maverick country town Doctor Lucien Blake (Craig McLachlan) return to their TV screens in early 2014.

In a statement announcing the second series, McLachlan said: “I can’t

even begin to express how thrilled I am to be traveling back to late 50’s Ballarat for another round of The Doctor Blake Mysteries. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for tuning in.”

December Media’s head of drama and series creator, George Adams, said: “The audience response to the show has been overwhelming and we are delighted ABC TV want more. Tony Wright and I are beyond pleased the show has found such a loyal following so quickly. The show has been blessed with wonderful stories, a great cast, a tremendous crew and memorable locations. All of these elements plus Craig McLachlan’s finely-tuned performance as Doctor Lucien Blake have helped create a classic murder mystery series for a Friday evening on the ABC.”

Australia’s Doctor Blake to make house calls in the UK

July 4, 2013 – December Media is delighted to announce The Doctor Blake Mysteries has been picked up by BBC One daytime in the UK.

BBC One daytime will screen the 10-episode series in late 2013.

In Australia, the highly successful series achieved a national average audience of 1.5 million viewers across its 10 weeks on air.

Series creator George Adams said today, “Having BBC One take a murder mystery show created and produced in Australia is a tremendous validation of the hard work put in by our entire cast and crew, and especially Craig’s spectacular performance as Doctor Lucien Blake”.

“We thought it would be hard to top the fact that we have had the ABC hit of the year with 1.5m viewers tuning in every week, but this is the icing on the cake,” says Adams. “Our distributor ITVG has done a great job in securing the sale and we hope that the domestic and now international recognition of the show goes some way to repaying the commitment shown by ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. As Doctor Blake would say “Onwards and upwards.”

Head of Fiction ABC TV Carole Sklan said, “The Doctor Blake Mysteries showcases the creative work of outstanding Australian practitioners. Itʼs wonderful to know it not only connects strongly with local audiences but also resonates with audiences around the world.”

Head of Programme Acquisition for the BBC Sue Deeks said, “We are delighted that the unconventional Doctor Blake will be providing traditional Aussie grit and humour as well as intriguing and intelligent mystery to BBC Daytimeʼs successful drama line-up.”

The Doctor Blake Mysteries, set in the late 1950s, is filmed in the iconic town of Ballarat 115km north west of Melbourne. Craig McLachlan stars as the intriguing Dr Lucien Blake. Nadine Garner plays housekeeper Jean Beazley, Cate Wolfe is the district nurse Mattie OʼBrien and Joel Tobeck the tenacious Chief Superintendent Matthew Lawson.

ABC TV announced recently it had commissioned a second series of its top rating drama series The Doctor Blake Mysteries. Filming will commence on Monday July 29, 2013.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries is a December Media Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Producer George Adams and Executive Producer Tony Wright. ABC Executive Producers Christopher Gist and Carole Sklan.

HIDDEN UNIVERSE 3D Official Teaser online

July 1, 2013 – Already screening in the US and Denmark, Hidden Universe 3D is set to hit the big screen in Australia in September. In the meantime though, you can check out the trailer and plenty of interesting details about this breathtaking documentary online now.

Hidden Universe 3D is a breathtaking tour of deep space brought to life on the giant screen through mesmerizing, real images captured by the world’s most powerful telescopes. In an age where space tourism has become reality, the film offers a ticket to ride to the stars through the lens of the world’s most powerful telescopes.

The film is a unique partnership between Swinburne University of Technology’s Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing and December Media.

• Start your space adventure here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yap2gSYTlM

BAFTA success for December Media/ITV co-production MRS BIGGS, Sheridan Smith wins leading actress

Sheridan Smith as Charmian Biggs

May 13, 2013 –  The same day as Mrs Biggs finished its first run on Network 7, Sheridan Smith won the leading actress BAFTA Award for

her performance in the December Media/ITV top rating mini series.

She beat fellow nominees Sienna Miller, Rebecca Hall and Anne Reid.

Mrs Biggs is the true story of the woman behind Britain’s most famous villain, Great Train Robber Ronald Biggs. Over five hour-long episodes we go an astonishing journey with her, from naïve young woman to reluctant gangster’s moll; from a stifling, choking life at the hands of an overbearing father, to

the joy of freedom and motherhood. Mrs Biggs gives us the inside story

on one of the most infamous crimes of the 20th century; but more than anything it is a sweeping love story told across three decades and from one side of the world to the other.

MRS BIGGS premieres Sunday 14 April at 9.30pm on Channel 7

April 9, 2013 – December Media’s and ITV’s 5-part drama series Mrs Biggs, starring Sheridan Smith and Daniel Mays, premieres on Sunday 14 April at 9:30pm on Channel Seven.

Mrs Biggs is the true story of the woman behind Britain’s most famous villain, Great Train Robber Ronald Biggs. Over five hour-long episodes we go an astonishing journey with her, from naïve young woman to reluctant gangster’s moll; from a stifling, choking life at the hands of an overbearing father, to the joy of freedom and motherhood. ‘Mrs Biggs’ gives us the inside story on one of the most infamous crimes of the twentieth century; but more than anything it is a sweeping love story told across three decades and from one side of the world to the other.

Mrs Biggs is a co-production between ITV Studios in the UK and Melbourne based December Media for Seven Network in Australia.

Check out the trailer for a sneak peak of the program:

HIDDEN UNIVERSE website launch

The eerie glow of the Cats Eye Nebula, as seen in Hidden Universe.

5 February 2013 –  Hidden Universe, December Cinema Productions’ 3D IMAX® space film’s website is launched! Your passport to space awaits on hiddenuniversemovie.com.

The film is distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films, the world’s most distinguished distributors of Imax films and is coming to IMAX, IMAX 3D and Giant Screen theatres in May 2013!

In the meantime follow Hidden Universe on Facebook for news, backgrounds and sneak peeks.

ABC TV asks Doctor Blake for a repeat prescription

Dr Lucien Blake (Craig McLachlan)

28 February 2o13 – ABC TV is pleased to announce its current top rating drama, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, is in development for a second series.

Produced by December Media for ABC TV, The Doctor Blake Mysteries premiered on 1 February with a national audience of 1.8 million*. It is achieving a five city series average of 1.2 million, winning its timeslot each week for the first three episodes. It has also attracted a total of 160,000 plays on ABC iview across four episodes.

December Media’s Head of Drama and series creator, George Adams, said, “The audience response to the show has been overwhelming and we are delighted ABC TV want more. Tony Wright and I are beyond pleased the show has found such a loyal following so quickly. The show has been blessed with wonderful stories, a great cast, a tremendous crew and memorable locations. All of these elements plus Craig McLachlan’s finely tuned performance as Doctor Lucien Blake have helped create a classic murder mystery series for a Friday evening on the ABC.”

ABC TV Head of Fiction, Carole Sklan said “Doctor Blake not only has intriguing mystery stories and a fascinating lead character, the show also explores our social history in unexpected and entertaining ways”.

Craig McLachlan said, “I can’t even begin to express how thrilled I am to be traveling back to late 50’s Ballarat for another round of The Doctor Blake Mysteries. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for tuning in.”

The Doctor Blake Mysteries series one has a further 5 episodes to run on ABC1 on Friday nights at 8:30pm and is also available for watching on ABC iview.

Production Credits: A December Media Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Producer George Adams and Executive Producer Tony Wright. ABC Executive Producers Christopher Gist and Carole Sklan.

*Source: OzTAM metro consolidated data and RegionalTAM data.

Dr Blake proves just the right medicine for Friday nights on ABC TV

Dr Blake (Craig McLachlan) and Jean Beazley (Nadine Garner)

February 5, 2013 – A combination of Craig McLachlan, the ABC, December Media and a murder mystery set in Ballarat has proved a domestic winner.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries, the latest drama offering from ABC1 screened on Friday night at 8.30 and proved an audience winner for the network.

“We are thrilled audiences love this series as much as we do. We are confidant we have created a show that just gets better and better each week and that the audiences will fall in love with Craig McLachlan’s Dr Lucien Blake even more as the series continues” says show Producer George Adams

Craig McLachlan said today, “I just want to send out a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who dropped by the good doctor’s surgery last Friday night, the feedback has been quite overwhelming. Equally I’d have to say that the interest and enthusiasm shown leading up to our debut was amazing. And very much appreciated, believe me!”

The 10-part series, also starring Nadine Garner, Joel Tobeck, Rick Donald and featuring, Cate Wolfe, Penne Hackforth-Jones and John Wood is set in 1959 and tells the story of Dr Lucien Blake, an ex POW, who struggles with his war time experiences and works as the town doctor and Police Surgeon.

HIDDEN UNIVERSE 3D filming completed!

© Malcolm Ludgate 2012

January 2013 – Filming of December Cinema Productions’ 3D IMAX® space film, Hidden Universe has wrapped!

The final filming took place in Chile’s Atacama Desert with the IMAX® Solido 3D camera. The locations were challenging, at times ofan altitude of 5000 metres. The outcome is incredible footage from the moonlike desert landscape and the world’s largest telescopes thatallow us to see an immersive view of the cosmos. CGI animationmakes up 50% of the film, utilising Swinburne University’s 12- teraflop supercomputer to process and animate the vision.

“None of the computer graphics are make-believe. Every image is based on real data, be it Mars, a nebula, the sun, or a galaxy.” Stephen Amezdroz, Producer

Post production has commenced with the film slated for release mid April 2013. The film will be distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films, the world’s most distinguished distributors of Imax films.

More information about the program can be found on the MacGillivray Freeman Films Website.

Check out the official trailer of THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES

January 11, 2013 – The ABC has released the official trailer of The Doctor Blake Mysteries today.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries is an original 10-part murder mystery series starring one of Australia’s favourite and most versatile actors, Craig McLachlan, as the maverick country town doctor Lucien Blake. A risk-taker, he’s impulsive and not afraid to upset the status quo.

The series starts Friday, 1 February at 8.30pm on ABC1.

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