Production has commenced on a new darkly-comedic drama series Sunny Nights with Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth, Bodkin) and D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Barry, A League of Their Own) for Stan.
Executive produced and directed by Trent O’Donnell (Population 11, No Activity, Hacks), Sunny Nights is a story of how a little bit of sun, a change of scenery, and a touch of violent crime can help a person find their true self. The series follows siblings Martin (Forte) and Vicki (Carden) Marvin who venture to Sydney determined to start their spray tan business, but when they get caught up in the city’s criminal underworld, they must figure out how to stay alive, out of prison, and in the black.
Filmed in NSW, the ensemble cast includes Rachel House (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Heartbreak High), Jessica De Gouw (C*A*U*G*H*T, The Drover’s Wife), Megan Wilding (Gold Diggers, Mystery Road: Origin), Ra Chapman (White Fever, Wentworth), Miritana Hughes (Wakefield, Preacher), George Mason (Exposure, Black Snow, The Power of the Dog), Matuse (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Fall Guy) and former professional rugby league footballer Willie Mason in his debut role.
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: “We’re incredibly proud to once again be working with Trent O’Donnell and Jungle Entertainment on another fantastic Stan Original Series, this time with the added creative force of Echo Lake Entertainment and global content leader Cineflix Rights. Sunny Nights has been superbly cast with Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden in the lead, and their comedic expertise alongside a cast of Aussie talent promises to deliver a dangerously hilarious series that will resonate both locally and abroad.”
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said: “Sunny Nights is a unique and clever concept with worldwide appeal thanks to this highly skilled creative team and strong local and international cast. With a combination of high stakes drama and many very funny scenes, I’m confident this tale of sibling misadventure will make for compelling viewing.”
James Durie, Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights added: “Trent O’Donnell and the creative team behind Sunny Nights have been responsible for some of the funniest, most successful international hit TV series of the past few years. Their incredible talent, combined with fantastic cast led by Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden, give Sunny Nights huge global appeal – we are thrilled to be financing and distributing the series.”
Jungle Entertainment EP Jason Burrows said: “The brilliant scripts, coupled with the incredible talent we have working on this series, both behind and in front of the camera – led by Trent O’Donnell, is going to make this very special.”
Echo Lake Entertainment EP Doug Mankoff said: “Collaborating with Jungle to bring Sunny Nights to fruition has been incredibly rewarding. Sometimes you have to believe a project into existence, but having great partners is crucial. Stan and Cineflix Rights also have been amazing, and we are grateful for their extraordinary commitment to this gem of a show.”
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said: “Screen NSW are thrilled to support Sunny Nights which promises to be another standout series from Trent O’Donnell and the team at Jungle Entertainment, who consistently produce premium Australian content that is enjoyed by audiences all over the world. Sydney will provide the perfect backdrop for this darkly comic series, and I can’t wait for audiences to enjoy Sunny Nights when it releases on Stan.”
Sunny Nights is created by the writing team Nick Keetch and Ty Freer (High Fire, Almost Paradise). Episodes are written by Nick Keetch, Ty Freer, Marieke Hardy (Heartbreak High), Lally Katz (Wentworth), Clare Sladden (Stan Original Series Eden) and Niki Aken (The Newsreader), and produced by Bridget Callow-Wright (Population 11).
The series is executive produced by Shay Spencer (Wakefield), Jason Burrows (Stan Original Series No Activity) and Chloe Rickard (Wakefield) for Jungle Entertainment; Doug Mankoff, Andrew Spaulding, Chris Davis and Amotz Zakai for Echo Lake Entertainment (The Great); Myra Model of Myra Model Management; and also executive produced by Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden.
The Stan Original Series Sunny Nights is created by the writing team Nick Keetch and Ty Freer, produced by Jungle Entertainment and Echo Lake Entertainment, with major production investment from Stan and Screen Australia, and financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund, and exclusive worldwide distribution partner Cineflix Rights. Stan executive producers are Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie. Cineflix Rights executive producers are James Durie and Tom Misselbrook.
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