Another Australian TV drama bites the dust.
On Sunday, Channel Seven confirmed the axing of The Secret Daughter, marking the sixth locally made drama to be either confirmed or rumoured cancelled this year.
In the wake of the Jessica Mauboy lead production’s failure, media analyst Steve Allen told News Corp the state of Australian dramas was at its worst in ‘a decade.’
The Secrets out: On Sunday, Channel Seven confirmed the axing of The Secret Daughter, marking the sixth locally made drama to be either confirmed or rumoured cancelled this year
It becomes the freshest flop on an ever-expanding pile, including Love Child (axed), The Wrong Girl (doubtful), Offspring (being rested) and House Husbands (doubtful).
‘The state of Aussie drama on the commercial networks is the worst it has been for a decade,’ Steve told the publication.
Looking at the woeful ratings, the analyst claimed the only reason more haven’t been cancelled is because networks have a mandatory quota of local scripted content.
What’s more, US Dramas like The Good Doctor have been huge hits locally this year, indicating viewers are still hungry for good dramas.
Doomed? In the wake of the Jessica Mauboy lead production’s failure, media analyst Steve Allen told News Corp the state of Australian dramas was at its worst in ‘a decade’
John Edwards, who produced Offspring, Love My Way and Romper Stomper, claimed: ‘I think there is a fear of breaking new ground at the moment.’
He believes the networks have resigned themselves to the belief that Australian dramas will never rate well again, offering up lifeless shows as a result.
Deborah Mailman, whose starred in local classics since the turn of the century, sounded defeated when speaking to News Corp.
A year to forget: It becomes the freshest flop on an ever-expanding pile, including Love Child (axed), The Wrong Girl (doubtful), Offspring (being rested) and House Husbands (doubtful)
She said: ‘It is very difficult to know what sort of life Australian drama has on our screens anymore.’
While it’s easy to lean on reality shows like The Block and The Bachelorette, which are far cheaper to make, quotas still need to be filled – giving up is no solution.
Edwards insisted shows must break new ground to have a chance: ‘a paradigm-shift will come from a good show. There will be a new surge of energy.’
Bleak: Sounding defeated, Australian TV drama veteran Deborah Mailman told reporters: ‘It is very difficult to know what sort of life Australian drama has on our screens anymore’