#barracuda Melbourne 1996. The Golden Soon, everyone has a stake The ABC and Screen Australia For further information, Age of Australian swimming is in Danny’s success and as he present in association with please contact: beginning and a scholarship swims closer towards gold, he Film Victoria a Matchbox to an exclusive boys school finds himself being drawn into Pictures production. Tracey Taylor brings 16-year-old Danny Kelly a world where the only thing ABC TV Publicist WRITERS one step closer to his ultimate that matters is winning. When 03 9524 2313 goal - winning Olympic gold. he gets his shot at victory, Blake Ayshford 0419 528 213 with all of Australia watching - Belinda Chayko [email protected] Initially, Danny struggles to can the ‘Barracuda’ live up to ASSOCIATE PRODUCER find his place in the prestigious everyone’s expectations and For images please visit Christos Tsiolkas abc.net.au/tvpublicity social circles of the private realise his dream? boys school. However PRODUCERS under the charge of highly Based on award-winning Tony Ayres regarded coach Frank Torma novelist Christos Tsiolkas’ book Amanda Higgs and a friendship/rivalry with and adapted for television DIRECTOR teammate Martin Taylor, Danny in four parts, Barracuda is a is soon on track to become moving story about identity, Robert Connolly Australia’s youngest swimming obsession, desire, the dizzy ABC EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS champion, the unstoppable heights of success and the Carole Sklan ‘Barracuda’. terrifying risk of failure. Brett Sleigh

PREMIERES SUNDAY 10 JULY AT 8:40PM ON ABC.

Full series available on iview directly after premiere. #barracuda EPISODE 1 EPISODE 2

Ambitious young swimmer Danny’s entire world is changing After Danny’s success in Albury, Danny’s father Neal is concerned Danny Kelly wakes before dawn rapidly. He is thrown into a very he trains hard with the swim he is putting the Taylor family on to workout before his first day at privileged setting, yet he grew squad. And he’s finally earned their a pedestal. Danny retorts with a the exclusive Blackstone College up in a close knit, hardworking, respect. However coach Torma hurtful response in front of his where he has won a scholarship. community of supportive friends unsettles Danny by insisting he entire family. and loving family. change his stroke to butterfly. He With its grand buildings and fancy At the qualifying meet, Danny believes Danny will never win gold school uniforms, Blackstone is After finally beating Taylor in the smashes his race to qualify for with freestyle. highly intimidating and worlds state final, the squad admit to the Nationals. Wilco also wins but away from Danny’s previous needing Danny to win their relay, Danny’s new best friend, devastingly, Taylor doesn’t qualify. school. The school swim squad however, given the relentless Martin Taylor invites him for a In Brisbane, Danny and Wilco get – Wilco, Scooter, Tsitsas and the taunts, Danny isn’t keen to help weekend away at the family their first taste of the elite world of handsome leader of the gang, them reach their goals. They’ve beach house. The opulent home competitive swimming and they Taylor are not keen on integrating not only insulted him, but also impresses Danny as does Martin’s are also introduced to Ben Whitter Kelly into their team – either inside his family. sophisticated older sister, Emma from the Victorian Institute of Sport the classroom, nor the pool. and his mother Mrs Taylor. Can Danny rise above it all (VIS). However, after Danny comes a and prove he’s stronger, faster Taylor confesses his fears about Will Danny win at the Nationals close second to Taylor in training, and better than all of them in qualifying for the Nationals to with his newly mastered butterfly swimming coach, Frank Torma the place it really matters - the Danny and the two make a pact stroke? reminds everyone what is at stake swimming pool. they’ll do it together. and only four of the five can make Returning home, Danny is keen the squad for the schoolboy to share details of his weekend in championships. the spectacular home however #barracuda EPISODE 3 EPISODE 4

Fresh from his world record- Along with his new life at the Vic It’s the opening night of the 2000 Danny departs wanting to drown his breaking swim, Danny’s dreams Institute, Danny is soon seduced Sydney Olympic Games and the sorrows. He heads uninvited to the come true when he is accepted into the glossy world of elite sport. nation is buzzing with excitement. Taylor residence where he’s heard into the Australian squad for the He feels like he’s finally getting the It’s been two years since Danny’s there’s a party. It soon becomes 1998 Commonwealth Games attention he deserves. public loss and humiliation at the apparent this is not an Olympic in Kuala Lumpur. He celebrates Commonwealth Games and he is celebration, but Taylor’s engagement The Taylor’s are supportive of with Taylor but their developing still consumed with overwhelming party. The night takes a turn for the Danny’s new trajectory at the relationship takes a turn when disappointment and anger. He worse and Danny leaves the Taylor VIS whilst adding salt to Martin’s Taylor introduces Danny to finishes his day at his dead-end job home in the back of a police car. wounds. Taylor confesses how someone new. and returns home to the Kelly house much he misses swimming and When Danny hits rock bottom, where the family feels more fractured Danny enjoys his celebrity status the peace he found in the water. Stephanie enlists Torma’s help. than ever. at school, but struggles to get He offers a helping hand but Danny But on the eve of the back his world record pace in the Lifelong friend Demet persuades refuses. Commonwealth Games swim, pool. Convinced he’s not getting him to join their friends at the pub Danny is far from peaceful. Torma finally catches up with Danny the support he needs and terrified but there’s no escaping the Olympic Martin is not coming to see him and forces him to face one of his of failure, Danny takes up Ben fever taking over Melbourne. The swim and the angry noise in greatest fears. He also shares a Whitter’s offer and joins the VIS. final straw comes when he sees Danny’s head builds as the race moment which totally puts life into a familiar face on the TV parading approaches. perspective for the broken young proudly in the opening ceremony – man. Wilco. He’s made the Olympic team. Can Danny find redemption for the shame and humiliation of two years ago? And can Torma help him back into the water to swim again? #barracuda DANNY KELLY PLAYED BY ELIAS ANTON

Danny is a young man, consumed ELIAS ANTON makes his by his desire to become a television debut in the title role champion Olympic swimmer. of Barracuda. He won the role of Danny Kelly whilst in Year 11 When awarded a swimming and is currently studying for scholarship, Danny is thrust into his VCE. the prodigious world of an elite private school in Melbourne. He never really fits in, not at school or at home and the only place he feels true to himself is in the swimming pool. He becomes fiercely determined to be the best. His entire identity becomes wrapped up in his sport. Danny is completely self-centered in his determination to make the Olympic team, which soon alienates his family and old friends. His only distraction comes in the form of his connection with teammate Martin Taylor. Handsome and wealthy, Taylor is everything Danny is not. Danny is seduced by Taylor’s world and their developing relationship becomes inextricably linked to Danny’s road to success. COACH FRANK TORMA PLAYED BY MATT NABLE

Hungarian-born Frank Torma is a MATT NABLE is one of Australia’s passionate swimming coach with most versatile actors. He has an eye for talent. He is blunt, direct starred in the international and has an old school method of award-winning series East West training his boys. It’s his pool, his 101, Underbelly: Badness, Bikie rules. But in his own tough way, Wars and the mini-series Gallipoli. Torma will do anything to support Soon Nable will be seen in feature the young men and nurture their films Incarnate, In Cold Light, skills. Torma has never coached an Hacksaw Ridge, Jasper Jones, as Olympic swimmer before, although well as the US television series truly believes Danny will be his first. Quarry, Arrow season 4 and Torma’s greatest pleasure is watching Legends of Tomorrow. Danny swim but coaching his young star is challenging – Danny is arrogant, impatient for success and often unwilling to follow Torma’s direction. As Danny’s wins accumulate, Torma struggles to keep Danny on track. He fears that Danny is losing his sense of self in his obsessive pursuit of Olympic gold.

SAMANTHA TAYLOR PLAYED BY

Samantha is Martin’s refined and RACHEL GRIFFITHS is an Academy sophisticated mother. Behind her Award nominated actress. She burst immaculate façade however, Mrs onto the international scene in 1994 Taylor is somewhat bored and in her role as Rhonda in Muriel’s frustrated with her socially constrained Wedding. Her other film credits life and unappreciative husband. include My Best Friend’s Wedding, She compensates by channelling all The Hard Word, Blow, Burning Man, her energies into her son’s success. Ned Kelly, Saving Mr Banks, Beautiful Samantha believes in Martin’s talent Kate and Hilary & Jackie, and is often frustrated by what she a performance which earned her perceives to be his lack of drive and an Academy Award Nomination. hunger for success. At first, she’s In 2002 Rachel won a Golden Globe surprised at Taylor’s friendship with the for her portrayal of Brenda in the working class Danny and recognises critically acclaimed US series Six that Danny is serious competition for Feet Under. She also received an her son. However, her good breeding Emmy Award Nomination for her and manners insist that she welcome role in Brothers & Sisters. Other Danny into their world and she soon television credits include; Camp, believes that Danny’s unstoppable Underground, House Husbands, ambition could be a good influence Paper Giants: Magazine Wars and on Martin. Deadline Gallipoli. MARTIN TAYLOR PLAYED BY BENJAMIN KINDON

Martin comes from a very wealthy BENJAMIN KINDON graduated family. He is handsome and from the Western Australian privileged – a ‘golden boy’. Initially Academy of Performing Arts Taylor is Danny’s biggest rival (WAAPA) in 2015 and this is his in and out of the pool, and he’s television debut. threatened by Danny’s natural ability. He soon becomes best friends with Danny, as Danny’s swimming earns the respect of his peers and the two boys come to rely on each other’s support. Outwardly confident and charming, Taylor struggles with his own demons of self-belief. He’s a natural leader and a good swimmer – but is he good enough? Does he even want to win for himself or is it just what’s expected of him? Taylor is attracted to Danny’s raw honesty and singular ambition as it equates to a kind of freedom that Taylor can’t have in his privileged world, full of pretence, social constraints and expectation. STEPHANIE KELLY PLAYED BY

Danny’s mother Stephanie is Born in Russia, VICTORIA extremely supportive of his HARALABIDOU made her film swimming, wanting to give him debut as the lead in the Martin the best opportunities; she dutifully Scorsese’s feature Brides. Her drives him to training every morning credits include Blessed and and afternoon. She is passionate With Heart and Soul (Greece). though never quite fits in with the Her most recent work for other mothers, whom she aspires to Australian television was in both be friends with. seasons of the award-winning ABC TV series The Code. Other As Danny’s swimming obsession television credits include; The increases, so does Stephanie’s Informant, My Place, East West investment in her son’s success. 101, , All Saints She is unwavering in her belief that and The Strip. Danny will one day make it and this often causes friction between her and her more pragmatic husband, Neal.

NEAL KELLY PLAYED BY

Danny’s father Neal is a long JEREMY LINDSAY TAYLOR has distance truck driver. Neal is a loving appeared in many of Australia’s father, but frequently butts heads favourite television programs with Danny; resenting his son for including; Gallipoli, Puberty taking up all the energy in the family. Blues, Bikie Wars and Miss Fisher’s He is passionate about his working- Murder Mysteries. Jeremy’s feature class roots and curses the upper film credits include Manny, Tom classes with which Danny begins White, Em 4 Jay and Bad Bush. spending all his time. He’s the only one in the family to worry about Nominated for the 2012 AACTA Danny not succeeding, though Choice Award for his outstanding Danny sees this as a lack of support. portrayal of Norman Bruhn in Underbelly: Razor, Jeremy previously received an AFI Award nomination for his role in False Witness.

EMMA TAYLOR PLAYED BY TILDA COBHAM-HERVEY

Martin’s older sister, Emma is TILDA COBHAM-HERVEY’s sophisticated, cultured and more portrayal of Billie in the feature socially conscious than the rest film52 Tuesdays is widely of the Taylor clan. She’s sickened considered one of the breakout by the pretentions of her family performances from 2014’s and their high-class world and Sundance Film Festival. Tilda’s finds Danny’s rough edges second feature, One Eyed Girl, saw intriguing and attractive. Emma her playing the title character in appreciates Danny’s honesty and this cinematic thriller. his fearlessness with her family and Tilda will next appear in feature there’s an easy intimacy between filmGirl Asleep, as well as the them. television mini-series, The Kettering Indicident. Tilda recently made her theatre debut for the State Theatre Company of South Australia in the world premiere of the new Andrew Bovell play Things We Know To Be True. WILCO (JOHN WILKINSON) PLAYED BY ANDREW CREER

Taylor’s friend, and one of the ANDREW CREER recently ‘golden boys’ in the school graduated from the prestigious swimming club, Wilco is cocky, Western Australian Academy of self-assured and entitled. A talented Performing Arts (WAAPA) and swimmer with a big mouth, Wilco was immediately offered a lead often manages to get Danny role in the ABC3 television series offside but from his end, there’s Tomorrow When the War Began not much menace behind it. Wilco in which he played the role of sees Danny as a teammate, Danny Kevin Holmes. sees Wilco as the competition and a pain in the neck. SCOOTER PLAYED BY RHYS MITCHELL

Scooter is a member of the swim RHYS MITCHELL is an Australian club and the smart alec of the actor, filmmaker, visual artist and group. When Danny first arrives, musician. Rhys is best known for he doesn’t miss an opportunity playing Kayne Wheeler in ABC’s to put Danny down or wind him hit comedy series, Upper Middle up. But behind all the wise cracks, Bogan and has just completed Scooter is just being loyal to his filming season three. In Deadline mates, and as the boys come to Gallipoli, Rhys played young accept Danny as part of the team, solider William Perry. Scooter genuinely throws his Rhys was a key creative in the support behind Danny – wanting development of the web-series the “Barracuda” to win. Movement. TSITSAS PLAYED BY JOE KLOCEK

Tsitsas is the fourth member of the JOE KLOCEK makes his school swim team when Danny television debut in Barracuda. begins at Blackstone College. He appeared in the Melbourne Tsitsas doesn’t have the entitled Theatre Company production confidence of his teammates and The Distance as well as Oedipus isn’t the strongest swimmer so Doesn’t Live Here Anymore for he’s quick to get on board when Queensland Theatre Company. the others start giving Danny a He will be seen in the next hard time. Tsistas may have been instalment of ABC3’s Nowhere swimming with the other boys for Boys series. years, but is fully aware he could easily be pushed outside the circle. LUKE TRAN DEMET PLAYED BY JOEL LOK PLAYED BY NICOLE GULASEKHARAM

Luke Tran is Danny’s first friend JOEL LOK’s talent was brought Danny’s best friend from his NICOLE GULASEKHARAM’s has at his new school. A dedicated to the public eye at a very early previous school, Demet is brash, featured in As the Bell Rings, student, more interested in age following his standout outspoken, politically conscious and Small Time Gangster and Bed of studying than sport, Luke is also performance in the feature film denigrating of Australian culture/ Roses. She appeared in Nadia Tass’ an outsider. Luke is highly The Home Song Stories in which class systems. She loves Danny feature film Matching Jack and intelligent, kind, and loyal. He he played the lead role of Tom. loyally but is never afraid to question has had guest roles on The Doctor plays by the rules and does his This performance saw Joel Danny’s obsession with swimming. Blake Mysteries, Wentworth, Blue best to support Danny. receive the IF Award for Best Heelers, Neighbours, Lowdown As Danny gets drawn further and Actor, as well as being nominated and Rush. further into a world where winning for the AFI for Best Young Actor is everything, Demet tries her best and the Golden Horse Award for to “keep him real” and hold onto Best Supporting Actor. him. After all, they are soul mates. Since that time Joel has made appearances in television shows such as Tangle, Thank God You’re Here, and guest lead roles in . He is perhaps best known however for the lead role of Andy in Nowhere Boys. Joel recently reprised the role for the feature film Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows. PRODUCTION CREDITS

TONY AYRES AMANDA HIGGS BLAKE AYSHFORD ROBERT CONNOLLY PRODUCER PRODUCER & BELINDA CHAYKO SERIES DIRECTOR WRITERS Robert Connolly is an award Tony Ayres is a celebrated creative Amanda was the co-creator This is the first collaboration winning producer, screenwriter force in television and film, and and producer of The Secret between writers Blake Ayshford and director. one of the founding members Life of Us, which was the most (episodes 1 and 3) and Belinda of Matchbox Pictures. Tony is watched Australian drama in the Chayko (episodes 2 and 4). He is best known as the director Executive Producer of the awarding 16-39 year old demographic, and writer of the feature films Blake is an award winning writer winning series The Slap, Glitch, winning the series three Logies Paper Planes, Balibo, Three Dollars on series such as The Devil’s The Devil’s Playground and for most outstanding drama for and The Bank, and the producer Playground, The Code and The Nowhere Boys which won the three consecutive years. She of high-profile Australian films Straits. He also produced The 2015 International Emmy for Best also produced two series of The Romulus, My Father, The Turning Devil’s Playground for Matchbox Kids Series. His other tv producing Time of Our Lives, was Executive and The Boys. credits include Wanted, The Family Producer on SLiDE and script Pictures. Other television credits Law and Old School. edited The Slap. include Tomorrow, When the War His television directing credits Began, Nowhere Boys and An include The Slap and Underground: Tony directed the 2015 feature She is currently the Producer Accidential Soldier. He also wrote The Julian Assange Story and in film, Cut Snake. Previously, Tony of Matchbox’s new drama series the feature film Cut Snake. 2014 Robert co-produced the was the showrunner on Nowhere Seven Types of Ambiguity for eight part miniseries, Gallipoli. He Belinda is also an award winning Boys Series 1, which won an ABC TV. has also executive produced the writer and credits include; Secret AACTA, Logie, and a Prix Jeunesse films Chasing Asylum, Spear and City, Old School, Miss Fisher’s International 2014 award. Series 2 These Final Hours and is a director Murder Mysteries and Saved. won a 2015 International Emmy. of celebrated production and She also wrote and directed the Upcoming projects include Seven distribution company, Arenafilm. Types of Ambiguity for the ABC and feature film Lou. Her first feature feature film Ali’s Wedding. City Loop debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.