Plum is a 2024 Australian television drama for ABC Television, released on 20 October 2024. Created and written by Brendan Cowell, the series follows Peter Lum, a retired former rugby league player who is diagnosed with a brain disorder following years of concussions he suffered on the field.[1]
| Plum | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by | Brendan Cowell |
| Inspired by | Plum by Brendan Cowell |
| Written by | Brendan Cowell Fiona Seres |
| Directed by | Wayne Blair Margie Beattie |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Brendan Cowell Louise Smith |
| Producers | John Edwards Dan Edwards Jonathan Duncan |
| Production locations | Sutherland Shire, New South Wales |
| Running time | 49–54 minutes |
| Production companies | Roadshow Rough Diamond Modern Convict Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC TV |
| Release | 20 October 2024 – present |
Plot
editThe story is inspired by Cowell's novel of the same name. After a career in rugby league, Peter Lum is diagnosed with a brain disorder, but does not reveal it to family and friends. However when his ex-wife becomes very concerned with erratic behaviour and his son Gavin, who loves the game being head hunted by rugby league teams, he starts to realise his father is not the same person he used to be, and the game might be to blame.[2] Plum attempts to turn his life around, as journalist Dana Hanlon goes on a fact finding mission to reveal the dangers of CTE.
Cast
editThe cast was announced when the series went into production on 17 January 2024.[3]
- Brendan Cowell as Peter 'The Plum' Lum
- Asher Keddie as Renee Lum
- Jenni Baird as Dana Hanlon
- Matt Nable as Dave
- Nicholas Cassim as Albert Lum
- Vincent Miller as Gavin Lum
- María Dupláa as Charmayne
- John Tui as Brick
- Matthew Sunderland as Charles Bukowski
- Adolphus Waylee as Kutiote
- Josh McConville as Squeaky
- Wayne McDaniel as Magic Matt
- Susie Porter as Sarah Lum[4]
- Jemaine Clement as Oliver
- Janet Anderson as Tatania
- Andrew Ryan as Bobby D
- Charlotte Friels as Sylvia Plath[5]
Former NRL players Andrew Johns, James Graham, Mark Carroll and Paul Gallen make special cameo appearances in the series.[6]
Production
editOn 17 January 2024, it was announced that the series had gone into production, securing its funding from Screen Australia and Screen NSW.[7]
Plum was filmed in and around the area of the Sutherland Shire of Sydney.[8]
ABC had revealed its 2024 drama slate on 9 May 2024, with Plum and series two of Bay of Fires. Plum was expected to air in 2025 but was pushed forward to air in October 2024.[9]
Episodes
editAll episodes were released on 20 October 2024 via ABC iview.[10]
| Number | Title | Directed by | Written by | iview air date | Terrestrial air date | Aus. Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Hurricane | Wayne Blair | Brendan Cowell | 20 October 2024 | 20 October 2024 | 484,000 [11] |
| Episode 2 | King of Cronulla | 27 October 2024 | 343,000 [12] | |||
| Episode 3 | Storm | Fiona Seres | 3 November 2024 | 270,000 [13] | ||
| Episode 4 | The Gap | Margie Beattie | Brendan Cowell | 10 November 2024 | 258,000 [14] | |
| Episode 5 | The Tree | Fiona Seres | 17 November 2024 | 268,000[15] | ||
| Episode 6 | Impact Player | Brendan Cowell | 24 November 2024 | 244,000[16] |
Reception
editDavid Knox of TV Tonight gave the series 4 stars saying that it was a labour of love for Cowell who had written the novel. Knox cited the viewing experience and said that people should be "ready to confront what lies beneath the surface".[17]
Paul Dalgarno of ScreenHub gave the series 3½ stars saying that Cowell has been writing "about how blokey life leaves successful Sydney men adrift and unsatisfied spiritually since his days contributing to Love My Way". Dalgarno cited the viewing experience and said that sport in Australia is a industry worth more than a billion dollars, and that sport does not prepare people for death, while poetry does.[18]
References
edit- ^ Ryan, Aaron (31 August 2024). "Plum on ABC with Brendan Cowell set for October". TV Central. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Layton, Mark (17 January 2024). "ABC partners with Brendan Cowell to adapt novel Plum". tbivision.com. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Slatter, Sean (17 January 2024). "ABC to serve up 'Plum' with Brendan Cowell, Asher Keddie leading the cast". IF Magazine. The Intermedia Group. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "NIDA Alumni Filming New ABC Series Plum". National Institute of Dramatic Art. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Plum (TV Mini Series 2024-)". IMDb. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Campton, Nick (18 October 2024). "Plum is an unflinching look at rugby league, Australian masculinity and the impact of concussion". ABC News. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (17 January 2024). "Production underway on new ABC drama Plum". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ Kentera, Yasmin (17 January 2024). "Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in ABC's new drama series Plum". About the ABC (Press release). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "ABC reveals 10 new additions to 2024 content slate". ScreenHub. Creative Hubs Group. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Plum". ABC iview. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (21 October 2024). "The Block tops Sunday. Fisk doubles ABC audience. | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (28 October 2024). "The Block blitzes Voice finale on Sunday | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (4 November 2024). "The Block hits season high as drama spills off-camera | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (11 November 2024). "The Block then daylight in Nine's big Sunday win | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (18 November 2024). "MKR best in Sunday entertainment | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (25 November 2024). "Sunday a night of cricket, comedy and desserts. | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (20 October 2024). "Plum". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Dalgarno, Paul (17 October 2024). "Plum, ABC review: sporting pain and poetry". ScreenHub. Creative Hubs Group. Retrieved 20 October 2024.