1 Top Pick Wednesday 19 August, 9:00pm or later on iview Utopia New Series Set inside the offices of the “Nation Building Authority”, a newly created government organisation responsible for overseeing major infrastructure projects, Utopia explores that moment when bureaucracy and grand dreams collide. It’s a tribute to those political leaders who have somehow managed to take a long-term vision and use it for short-term gain. The award-winning series follows the working lives of a tight- knit team in charge of guiding big building schemes from announcement to unveiling. Constant shifts in priorities are the order of the day as the staff are asked to come up with plans for everything from new roads and rail lines to airports and high rise urban developments. In short, Utopia examines the forces that go into creating a very well-designed white elephant. Featuring a stellar comic cast led by Rob Sitch, along with Celia Pacquola, Dave Lawson, Luke McGregor, Kitty Flanagan, Anthony Lehmann, Emma-Louise Wilson, Michelle Lim Davidson and Toby Truslove, Utopia is a series for anyone who has ever been frustrated by bureaucracy – and survived to laugh at the experience. It’s a new year and Tony (Rob Sitch) is determined to focus on big things. Unfortunately, small things get in the way. Meanwhile, Nat’s (Celia Pacquola) attempts to assist a local community unleash a multi-billion dollar government initiative. #utopia Short synopsis It’s a new year and Tony is determined to focus on big things. Unfortunately, small things get in the way. Meanwhile, Nat’s attempts to assist a local community unleash a multi-billion dollar government initiative. CAST: Rob Sitch. Production details Written and produced by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner and Rob Sitch. Executive Producer: Michael Hirsh. Original casting by Jane Kennedy. Directed by Rob Sitch. ABC Commissioning Editors: Rick Kalowski and Brett Sleigh. A Working Dog Production in association with ABC TV. Contact Kim Bassett on 03 9524 2580/0409 600 456 or [email protected] For previews, more information and images visit the media portal. 2 Top Pick Monday 17 August, 8:30pm or later on iview Humans Laura finds herself at odds with her family when she tries to take Anita back. But when Anita saves Toby from a near fatal road accident, Laura is begrudgingly forced to keep her. Do her family prefer Anita? Joe suggests Anita’s strange behaviour’ might be all in Laura’s head. Is she going mad or is there really something strange about this synth? Meanwhile Joe has to check Anita for damage after the accident and as he strips her down he can’t help but notice just how human – and attractive – Anita seems. A pliant and fearful George appears to have submitted to Vera’s joyless routine – but all is not lost, as Odi and George stage a daring escape. Can they shake off Vera and be happy together again? Pete and Karen investigate the murder at the brothel but Pete’s hot temper earns him a suspension – he’s stuck at home with simon. Karen is tasked with hunting down Niska and bringing her in quietly – but does she recognise the ‘killer synth’? Niska meanwhile, is enjoying her first taste of freedom. But when she gets chatted up by a man, will he be her next victim? #humans Short synopsis Anita saves Toby’s life - but is there something strange about Anita? George breaks free and Pete is angry at the brothel murder cover-up. Niska is free – but has she found a second victim? CAST: Gemma Chan. William Hurt. Production details Produced by Kudos in association with Matador Films. Directed by Sam Donovan. Kudos Executive Producers Jane Featherstone and Derek Wax. Produced by Chris Fry for Kudos. Produced by Henrik Widman and Lars Lundström for Matador Films. Written by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley. Contact Tracey Taylor on 03 9524 2313 / 0419 528 213 or [email protected] For previews, more information and images visit the media portal. 3 Top Pick Sunday 16 August, 5:30pm or later on iview Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots ABC KIDS Special For the first time on ABC KIDS, preschoolers' much-loved Peppa Pig debuts her brand new 15 minute special Peppa's Golden Boots, featuring all the favourite characters. Peppa Pig loves jumping up and down in puddles wearing her special golden boots, even if Suzy does think they're just her ordinary yellow ones. Unfortunately, Mrs Duck also takes a liking to Peppa's boots and runs away with them! With the help of her friends, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, George and Grampy Rabbit, Peppa must travel across land, sea, and even into space to track down the golden boots before the big puddle jump competition. Peppa's Golden Boots will also be available on ABC iview. Short synopsis In a feature-length special, Mrs Duck seems to have taken a liking to Peppa's golden boots and runs away with them! Can Peppa track down the golden boots before the big puddle jump competition? Production details Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies Ltd / Entertainment One UK Ltd 2014 Contact Amy Reiha on (02) 8333 3874 / 0404 026 039 or [email protected] For previews, more information and images visit the media portal. 4 Top Pick Thursday 20 August, 8:30pm or later on iview The Honourable Woman Series Premiere As a young girl, Anglo-Israeli Nessa Stein (Maggie Gyllenhaal) witnessed the assassination of her father by the armed wing of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Now in her late thirties, the beautiful and influential Nessa, an independent entrepreneur and businesswoman, has worked tirelessly to use her position to get equality and peace in the Middle East, heading up the powerful Stein Foundation with her brother Ephra (Andrew Buchan). Ennobled for her campaigning work, the newly made Baroness must fight forces that are conspiring against her as she awards a highly lucrative contract to a Palestinian businessman, who is subsequently killed. Consequently, Nessa and her brother Ephra come under the renewed scrutiny of Whitehall and the secret intelligence agencies, both at home and abroad. As tensions increase, we see a glimpse of the terror that Nessa endured eight years previously, and what is yet to come, just as Kasim, the young son of Ephra’s nanny Atika (Lubna Azbal), is kidnapped. From the corridors of governmental power to the sibling dynamic that bonds the Stein family’s private purpose, Whitehall and MI6, Washington and the CIA, The Palestinian Authority and a Gaza safe-house – the visual backdrop of Hugo Blick’s compelling drama is as stunning and refined as the story that drives it. The Honourable Woman tells the story of one woman’s personal journey to right the wrongs conducted in a past life. Short synopsis While campaigning for Middle East peace, businesswoman Nessa Stein must fight forces that are conspiring against her as she awards a highly lucrative contract to a Palestinian businessman. CAST: Maggie Gyllenhaal Production details A Drama Republic and Eight Rooks production for BBC and Sundance TV; Writer/Director: Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line); Producers: Hugo Blick, Abi Bach (Small Island, Bullet Boy) Executive Producers: Greg Brenman, (Peaky Blinders, Ripper Street) Polly Hill. Contact Kristine Way on 02 8333 3844 or 0419 969 282 or [email protected] For previews, more information and images visit the media portal. 5 Sunday 16 August, 8:30pm or later on iview The Politician’s Husband FINAL When Cabinet Minister Aiden Hoynes’ (David Tennant) career path comes to an abrupt halt, the power balance within his marriage is irrevocably shifted when his wife Freya’s (Emily Watson) political career starts to soar. In tonight’s final episode Aiden (David Tennant) has to defend himself in an embarrassing sex scandal that threatens to derail any chance of a political comeback and further threatens his marriage. As he wrestles both back from the brink, he discovers Freya (Emily Watson) has been less than honest about her whereabouts and the time she is spending with Bruce (Ed Stoppard). In a gripping finale that sees him plot a brilliant comeback as well as Bruce's downfall (and his wife's), Aiden gambles everything with a shocking and surprising outcome. Aiden Hoynes (David Tennant), Freya Gardner (Emily Watson) Bruce Babbish (Ed Stoppard), Joe Hoynes (Jack Shepherd), Marcus Brock (Roger Allam), Noah Hynes (Oscar Kennedy) and Ruby Hoynes (Lucy Hutchinson). Short synopsis Aiden has to defend himself in an embarrassing sex scandal that threatens to derail any chance of a political comeback and further threatens his marriage. CAST: David Tennant, Emily Watson, Ed Stoppard, Joe Hoynes. Production details A Daybreak Pictures production; Director: Simon Cellan Jones; Producer: Hal Vogel (The Promise, Endgame, The Trial Of Tony Blair); Executive Producer (BBC) Lucy Richer; Executive Producers for Daybreak Pictures: David Aukin (The Promise, Endgame, Hyde Park On Hudson), and Paula Milne. Contact Kristine Way on 02 833 3844 or 0419 969 292 or [email protected] For previews, more information and images visit the media portal. 6 Monday 17 August, 4:25pm or later on iview Little Lunch Little Lunch is a 26 x 15’ mockumentary comedy series that takes place during fifteen highly significant minutes of a child’s life; that of snack time in the primary school playground. Occasionally the children are joined by Mrs Gonsha, their much-loved teacher, with an enormously generous spirit and a tendency to nod off in class… Little Lunch tackles the big issues in the playground. Who gets to go on the monkey bars? Who gets to join whose club? Who gets Mrs Gonsha off the top of the slide pole when she gets stuck? Little Lunch tells stories that may seem small to adults, but loom large for kids.