David Farnor | On 21, Jul 2017

Amazon is hosting a Picnic at Hanging Rock – and it’s already got an impressive guest list.

Joan Lindsay’s Australian novel will be adapted into a new series, an impressive addition to the slate of any TV network. When it comes to dramas about disappearing people, the novel is a classic. Previously Ada payed for the screen by Peter Weir, that 1975 film is an eerie, understated masterpiece, following a party of girls from a strict boarding school, who go on an outing to nearby landmark Hanging Rock on a St. Valentine’s Day – only for part of the group vanish without explanation.

Now, it’s getting the small screen treatment. Produced by FremantleMedia International, the show will reimagine the story of the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and one teacher on Valentine’s Day 1900. The series will chart the subsequent investigation into the disappearance, as well as its impact on the students, families and staff of Appleyard College, not to mention the nearby township.

The script was produced by Beatrix Christian, with Alice Addison writing the series and Larysa Kondracki, Michael Rymer and Amanda Brotchie at the helm.
Brett Popplewell is a producer, with FremantleMedia Australia’s Jo Porter and Anthony Ellis and Foxtel’s Penny Win on board as executive producers. Morgan Wandell, Amazon Studios’ Head of International Series, will oversee the project for Amazon.

“The stylish re-imagining of the provocative Picnic at Hanging Rock story will no doubt capture contemporary audiences across the US. With fantastic scripts, outstanding cast and bold editorial direction from Larysa Kondracki, Picnic at Hanging Rock is set to be a must-see series in 2018. We are thrilled to be working with Amazon Prime Video to bring this powerful drama to US screens,” said Caroline Kusser, SVP, Sales & Distribution for FremantleMedia International in North America.

If that didn’t all sound impressive enough, the picnic already has its first guests confirmed. Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) will star as English headmistress, Mrs. Hester Appleyard. She leads a cast that includes Lily Sullivan, Madeleine Madden, Samara Weaving, Ruby Rees and Inez Curroas.

Picnic at Hanging Rock will premiere on Australia’s Foxtel in 2018, with Amazon releasing the show on Amazon Prime Video in the US. Other territories are yet to be confirmed.

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