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Network Ten orders Essential series

Start-up Australian production company Essential Viewing has scored its first major series deal, with Network Ten.

Essential, set up by Rosemary Blight of RB Films and Chris Hilton, a founding partner of Hilton Cordell Productions, has been given the green light for a long-running version of its miniseries Small Claims (3x120').

Previously airing Small Claims as a collection of one-off telemovies, Network Ten has now requested a full-length series of programmes following the drama's successful debut last year.

Small Claims is the tale of two women who give up their respective careers as a lawyer and policewoman to look after their kids, but can't help getting themselves embroiled in mystery and intrigue.

Speaking to C21, Blight said that aside from Rebecca Gibney and Claudia Karvan starring, final details of the Small Claims TV series weren't yet finalised but it wouldn't be less than 13 hours.

While the programme is aimed at Australian audiences, Blight said it may well have overseas appeal. "It has a premise that might work with international partners," she said.

April 15, 2005
C21 Media



Small Claims a big flop

...from Ten comes confirmation that, after disappointing ratings for its recent Small Claims telemovie, the network will not proceed with a series. Whisper has it that the production team learnt of Ten's decision when programmer David Mott announced it in a Sydney newspaper.

By Kylie Miller
September 15, 2005
The Age