Fake (TV series)
| Fake | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Anya Beyersdorf |
| Inspired by | Fake (by Stephanie Wood) |
| Written by | Anya Beyersdorf Hyun Lee Jessica Tuckwell |
| Directed by | Taylor Ferguson Emma Freeman Jennifer Leacey |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 40 minutes |
| Production company | Kindling Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | Paramount+ |
| Release | 4 July 2024 – present |
Fake is an eight-part Australian drama thriller series which debuted on Paramount+ on 4 July 2024.
Synopsis
Fake is a drama-thriller series.[1] Inspired by the 2019 book with the same name by Stephanie Wood,[2] the series follows a smart magazine writer who thinks she has found her ideal match when she meets a successful grazier on a dating app. The writer later discovers that he is not all that he has led her to believe.[3][4]
Production
The eight-part 40 minute series was filmed in Melbourne in September 2023, created by screenwriter Anya Beyersdorf and directed by Emma Freeman,[3] Jennifer Leacey and Taylor Ferguson.[4] Three episodes were written by Hyun Lee and Jessica Tuckwell.[5]
The series is produced by Kindling Pictures (Imogen Banks and Emelyne Palmer). The series received a major production investment from Paramount ANZ and Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen.[4]
Cast
Fake stars Asher Keddie as Birdie Bell and David Wenham as Joe Burt, as the main characters of the series. The series also stars Janet Andrewartha, Nicholas Brown, Anne Charleston, Heather Mitchell, Ming-Zhu Hii, Louisa Mignone, Spencer McLaren, Jack Sandle and Greg Stone.[4]
Broadcast
All episodes of the series were added to Paramount+ on 4 July 2024.[4][5]
Reception
Craig Mathieson of The Age wrote, "On an emotional level it is forensic, and the direction - set up by Emma Freeman - accentuates the acutely felt unease." "It becomes a brutal, recurring cue. Fake is one gripping shock to the system after another."[6] Luke Buckmaster of Guardian Australia about the series' narration wrote, "There’s a logic to this narration but it’s almost impossible to make a sentence like that sound natural – and the show doesn’t quite master the literary qualities it’s aspiring for, either."[7] David Knox of TV Tonight wrote, "In a world of scams, bad dates and ghosting Fake is a modern cautionary tale about trust and self-worth. It’s also a ripping yarn."[8]
Episodes
| No. | Title [5] | Directed by [5] | Written by [5] | Original air date [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Lanolin" | Emma Freeman | Anya Beyersdorf | 4 July 2024 |
| 2 | "Stitches" | Emma Freeman | Anya Beyersdorf | 4 July 2024 |
| 3 | "The Blue Loon" | Jennifer Leacey | Jessica Tuckwell | 4 July 2024 |
| 4 | "Eldorado" | Taylor Ferguson | Hyun Lee | 4 July 2024 |
| 5 | "Love Kitten" | Emma Freeman | Anya Beyersdorf | 4 July 2024 |
| 6 | "Run" | Jennifer Leacey | Jessica Tuckwell | 4 July 2024 |
| 7 | "Liar" | Jennifer Leacey | Anya Beyersdorf | 4 July 2024 |
| 8 | "My Joe" | Jennifer Leacey | Anya Beyersdorf | 4 July 2024 |
References
- ^ Frater, Patrick (14 September 2023). "Asher Keddie to Produce and Star in 'Fake,' Paramount+ Australia Drama Series About a Romantic Relationship Built on Lies". Variety. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Wood, Stephanie (3 July 2024). "Toxic boyfriend gets the TV treatment: 'Now it's Asher Keddie in his arms, not me'". Good Weekend. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Nine Entertainment (published 6 July 2024). p. 6. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Cameras Roll on Asher Keddie and David Wenham in Drama Series Fake" (Press release). Screen Australia. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Siemienowicz, Rochelle (6 June 2024). "Fake, Paramount+ streaming preview: Asher Keddie and David Wenham in love scam thriller". ScreenHub. Creative Hubs Group. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Fake: episode guide". Australian Television. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Mathieson, Craig (26 June 2024). "The best Australian drama in years, Fake surgically dissects a sham romance". The Age. Melbourne: Nine Entertainment (published 27 June 2024). p. 7. ProQuest 3072244957. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Buckmaster, Luke (4 July 2024). "Fake review – Asher Keddie thrills in visceral drama about a romance scammer". Guardian Australia. Guardian Media Group. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (2 July 2024). "Fake". TV Tonight (Review). Retrieved 6 July 2024.
In a world of scams, bad dates and ghosting Fake is a modern cautionary tale about trust and self-worth. It's also a ripping yarn.
