WINNER WINNER KIDS SCREEN KIDS SCREEN AWARDS 2015 AWARDS 2014 BEST TWEENS/ BEST NEW TWEENS/ TEENS SERIES TEENS SERIES

WINNER WINNER TV WEEK LOGIE 2014 AUSTRALASIAN AWARDS 2014 & 2015 EFFECTS & MOST OUTSTANDING ANIMATION FESTIVAL CHILDREN’S SILVER AWARD PROGRAM BEST TV SERIES

WINNER WINNER AUSTRALIAN BANFF ROCKIE DIRECTOR’S GUILD AWARDS 2015 AWARD 2015 BEST BEST YOUTH CHILDREN’S TV FICTION

WINNER INTERNATIONAL YOUTH JURY PRIZE FINALIST 12-15 FICTION/NON FICTION ®

PRIX 2014 JEUNESSE 30MAY INTER NATIONAL 4JUNE MUNICH 2014

PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN CHILDREN’S TV NOWHERE BOYS

NOWHERE BOYS is a multi-award winning action-adventure series that first premiered late 2013 on ABC3 in Australia. Since then the series has launched in the UK on CBBC, Family Charged in Canada, TéléTOON+ in France, and in many other territories to great success. Season 2 and the movie The Book of Shadows followed, with Season 3 in production 2016.

SEASON 1 THE 5TH BOY GAME & APP 13 x 30’ HD Available Interactive game that unlocks at key stages during the Season 1 broadcast schedule SEASON 2 13 x 30’ HD Available THE BOOK Hardie Grant Egmont have global publishing rights THE MOVIE for the Nowhere Boys book, based on Season 1. Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows Released 2014. 1 x 82’ Premiere ABC3 March 6th 2016 CONTACT SEASON 3 NBCUniversal Television Distribution 13 x 30’ HD – Delivery early 2017 [email protected] www.matchboxpictures.com

2 3 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 SEASON 1

Four mismatched teenage boys get lost while trekking through dense forest on a school excursion. After surviving a terrifying night trapped by a violent lightning storm the boys; Jake (an alpha jock), Felix (a Goth), Andy (a nerd) and Sam (the golden child) expect a heroic reception when they return home. Instead they discover that they are now total strangers to their friends and families – they don’t “exist” anymore. All public records of them have vanished and the world has reconfigured itself, Felix’s disabled brother can walk and Jake’s struggling parents are now leading successful lives.

The boys are forced to fend for themselves and grapple with basic questions of survival. While trying to prove they still exist, Sam discovers he has a doppelgänger called Sammy and Andy’s scientific obsession with finding a rational explanation for their bizarre situation nearly kills him. As more strange accidents begin to befall them the boys start to wonder if something otherworldly is out to get them.

The first season follows the four boys in their quest to find out what has happened to them, and to get home.

4 5 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 FELIX ANDY SAM JAKE Dougie Baldwin Joel Lok Rahart Adams Matt Testro

THE REAL WORLD THE REAL WORLD THE REAL WORLD THE REAL WORLD Felix is intelligent, sarcastic, and an eternal cynic. Very Andy is a geek and is unflinchingly logical. His mind Sam is the golden boy, effortlessly cool and naturally Popular, athletic, and confident, Jake is a perennial much a loner, with few social skills, he has only one friend and imagination are second to none, built solely gifted. Everything comes easy to him. He even has the winner who is capable of playing schoolyard bully, – Ellen, a fellow Goth. Felix has a brother, 12 year old Oscar, on theories, but he has zero practical experience. most popular girlfriend, Mia. Coming from the “perfect” especially to Felix. However, his home life is far who broke his neck while the pair were playing and is now However, he knows everything about Bear Grylls’ happy family, he has two brothers, lives in a great house, from perfect. His single mother struggles financially in a wheelchair. The family has collapsed under the strain survival skills. The only boy in a Singaporean- and everyone gets along. Deep down, perhaps Sam working two jobs to pay the bills with little help from of Oscar’s disability and although they are close, Felix feels Chinese family, Andy has been mothered three takes everything he has for granted? his dad. Jake and his mother are very close and he responsible for Oscar’s accident. He develops an obsession times – by his grandmother, mother, and older assumes a mountain of responsibility around the with witchcraft and hopes one day to use magic to help his sister. He would do anything for some freedom. ALTERNATE WORLD house. brother, where science has failed. ALTERNATE WORLD For the first time, Sam has to fight for something. Well, ALTERNATE WORLD ALTERNATE WORLD everything actually. He finds his family still has three His first taste of freedom! He can now be the man boys! Along with the two brothers, his parents have Jake wonders if the world is better without him. When Felix cast the spell that dumped the boys in a parallel of action he’s always wanted to be – he becomes another son named Sammy, who is even dating Mia. His mother is now a Lexus-driving, successful world he wasn’t aware there would be consequences. The more outgoing and self-reliant. He even finds Sam focuses on trying to win back Mia – he’s attentive, real estate agent, and is married to Jake’s science spell was solely designed to fix Oscar, which it did, but he did himself with a girlfriend for the first time. As a man interested, and makes an effort (as Sammy too takes Mia teacher. Further, Jake’s real father Gary, now a not expect it to erase their existences. As the series progresses, of science Andy is initially sceptical about Felix’s for granted). Sam is making waves with his “brothers” police sergeant, has gone from loser to pillar of the his magic skills grow stronger, and he obtains a talisman “magic” but he eventually accepts it and studies it too, who are protective of Sammy. Of all the boys, Sam community town. Used to surviving on his own Jake to help protect the boys from the demon. He de-Goths and with zeal. He hopes to combine science and magic wants his old life back the most. becomes the “den mother” to their hangout, and befriends Oscar. Felix’s mother is nicer to him in this reality, to find a way home. Ellen, Felix’s friend from the real finds a genuine friendship with Andy. as this “friend” of her son’s and in some ways he regains the world, even likes him. RAHART ADAMS MATT TESTRO family he lost after Oscar’s accident. Aside from some bumps Emo The Musical (F), Liar, Liar, Vampire (TV Movie), Neighbours (TV), Glitch(TV), Eden(F) in the road, he’s kind of enjoying this new reality. JOEL LOK Every Witch Way (Teen Nick TV), Neighbours(TV) Barracuda(TV), Sea Patrol(TV), The Home Song DOUGIE BALDWIN Stories(F) - Joel was winner of the Inside Film award 6 Finding Kate(TV), Upper Middle Bogan(TV), The Turning(F) 7 for Best actor for this role. NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 OTHER CHARACTERS

PHOEBE OSCAR ELLEN Sean Rees-Wemyss Darci McDonald Phoebe, 32, runs Arcane Lane, the magic shop, and is the Felix’s younger brother is wheelchair bound Felix’s best friend in the real world, is Ellen, also local “aficionado” of all things spiritual and pseudoscientific. following an accident where he fell from a tree a Goth. She exhibits the same cynical attitude Phoebe’s sister Alice went missing years earlier in similar while playing with Felix. as Felix and is taunted by her peers for being an circumstances to the boys. She has a black sense of humour outcast. that others can find a little disturbing – never quite sure if In the alternate universe, Oscar is able to walk she is joking or serious, prompting the Bremin locals to dub and as an only child, he is somewhat eccentric In the alternate universe, Ellen is decidedly more her “Phreaky Phoebe”. and fond of sci-fi and role-playing games. Oscar mainstream in her appearance yet retains her and Felix become friends. Events with Oscar set pessimistic nature. Mia is her best friend, and she In the alternate universe, Phoebe comes to view the boys, things in motion for the boys’ possible return... has become smitten with Andy following a brush particularly Felix, as an opportunity to get her sister back. She with death from which he saved her. becomes their “guardian”, confidante, and resource in their SEAN REES-WEMYSS quest to return to the real world. Secret River(TV), Killing Time(TV), Small Time DARCI MCDONALD Gangster(TV), Rush(TV) Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS(TV) MICHALA BANAS The Doctor Blake Mysteries Series 4(TV), Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries(TV),Upper Middle Bogan(TV), Neighbours(TV), 8 McLeod’s Daughters(TV) 9 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 STYLE, TONE & THEMES

THE STYLE AND TONE Nowhere Boys combines supernatural action-adventure elements with comedy and genuine human drama. Our heroes face some genuinely difficult and dangerous situations, with a counterbalance of fun and humor, similar to “The Goonies” and “Super 8”. The boys are ‘light’ characters in dark situations, and they have a distinctive comic view of the world. THE WORLD The world of this series is contemporary, credible and grounded in reality. The themes explored are universal, and the settings authentic. All shot on location in Australia, the series is set against the backdrop of lush ancient forestland and contemporary suburbia. The boys live in the fictional small town of Bremin, on the outskirts of a large city. THE COMMUNITY The people of Bremin have no idea what to think of the arrival of these four strange teenage boys. Where are their parents? Are they delinquents? Why aren’t they at school? It’s disturbing, and the boys have intimate knowledge of things they shouldn’t know. For example, how does Andy know so much about the Lau family restaurant? Why does Sam have a connection to Mia? And why in the alternate world, when the boys come into contact with their mothers, do the women all become ill?

10 11 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 1 THE GAME & APP

Nowhere Boys - The 5th Boy is a unique online game and an exciting companion to Season 1. WINNER You will enter the game through a broadcaster’s website to IKIDS AWARDS 2015 BEST WEBSITE discover a 5th Boy who, like the Nowhere Boys of the series, (KIDS) is lost in a strange world and must find his way home. While the series can stand alone, the game’s inclusion is designed to greatly enhance audience engagement and build the brand of the show.

GAME PROGRESSION FINALIST ATOM AWARDS 2014 The game comprises six worlds, which will unlock at key stages BEST GAME/MULITMEDIA PRODUCTION during the broadcast schedule. BEST CHILDREN’S TV PROGRAM As a player you will take on the persona of the 5th Boy, who is lost between dimensions, and cast into an unknown world called Negative Space. There, a mysterious force known only as ‘The Darkness’ pursues you. Throughout the six worlds you are drawn FINALIST FINALIST to a strange apparition, a woman, who promises to help get you CYNOPSIS KIDS SCREEN PRODUCERS IMAGINATION AUSTRALIA home… if you help her rebuild a powerful Talisman. AWARDS 2014 AWARDS 2014 SPECIAL/ONLINE BEST CHILDREN’S TV INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE The quest becomes a bid for survival that tests the limits of your BEST INTERACTIVE TWEENS 9-14 SERIES ability as you travel through the five elemental worlds: Earth, PRODUCTION Air, Water, Fire and Spirit, before confronting ‘The Darkness’ in TV & GAME CROSSOVER a climactic battle. As you advance on your journey you begin mission and are often key to their survival. As the game Ultimately, both platforms converge in a final dramatic twist to see the Nowhere Boys and other characters in the TV series These two platforms have been carefully intertwined to progresses you will piece together an additional narrative and you will be key in a climactic event that has a major through ‘tears’ that appear between the dimensions. Before give you the feeling that you are directly influencing that tells the story of how the Nowhere Boys fate directly influence on the TV series – YOU made it happen! long it becomes clear that you share a common enemy with the outcomes on the TV show. impacted on the 5th Boy’s life, providing a knowledge of the Nowhere Boys and that you play an integral role in helping the In Episode 13, the online mystery is resolved, and you are You will pass objects through dimensions and then see Nowhere Boys’ universe that is far greater than that of any of Nowhere Boys get back home. rewarded by seeing the 5th Boy, return to the real world as he them actually appear in the TV series during the next the characters in the series. Episode. These objects help the Nowhere Boys on their actually appears for the first time in the TV series.

12 13 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 2 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 2 SEASON 2

The Nowhere Boys have found their way home, but But without Andy, the talisman no longer works, Felix, Jake, Sam and Andy soon discover the adventure and the boys cannot protect themselves against doesn’t stop just because they’re back. As they a dangerous adversary who is trying to stop them experiment with their new and unpredictable powers from bringing Andy back… forever. over earth, wind, fire and water, the boys realise they aren’t the only ones who crossed back to this universe. To get him home, the boys must work together to evade an escalating police investigation into Andy’s But before they fully understand the danger, they must disappearance, identify a replacement ‘Nowhere first deal with the reality of being home, and rescue Boy’, and keep their high stakes quest a secret as one of their own when a frustrated and jealous Andy they juggle the everyday teenage demands of devises a spell that has disastrous consequences. Andy family, friendships and romance. is transformed into water, and disappears before Felix, Jake and Sam’s very eyes. The race begins to rescue Andy before anyone notices he is missing.

14 15 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 2 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 2 SEASON 2 - THE WORLDS

THE REAL WORLD Negative Space was where Alice was After returning to their home universe, the boys are trapped for all those years – and where the relieved to be back in Bremin. But it’s a very different gang will eventually realise Andy is now Bremin from the one they left. The small country trapped. A malleable space, the laws of town has been at the centre of a media firestorm physics don’t quite apply here. But there after the boys’ disappearance, and the boys are are dangers in Negative Space as well, and now celebrities. Everyone wants to know how they Andy finds that he’s not quite as alone as disappeared – and miraculously reappeared. he thought.

There are other changes in Bremin too. The bushman THE ALTERNATE WORLD who helped them, Roland, is a cop in this universe – Now that the boys have gone back one that is highly suspicious of the boys’ story about home, Alternate Bremin is going back to what happened to Andy. Phoebe barely knows them normal… mostly. in this home universe, and with her sister Alice back, she’s sworn off magic and not interested in helping Ellen still pines after Andy, her mysterious them find missing Andy. rescuer, and Cop Gary finds that he misses Jake, the boy who claimed that he was NEGATIVE SPACE Gary’s son. When the boys decide to travel Negative Space is the space between all the back to the alternate world, to see if they multiple universes. It keeps them from touching can track down Andy, they find that the and destroying each other. It acts as a balancing restoring demon is stronger than ever. mechanism, and Negative Space was the source of the restoring demon’s power from Season 1.

16 17 NOWHERE BOYS - THE BOOK OF SHADOWS NOWHERE BOYS - THE BOOK OF SHADOWS THE MOVIE

The gang are reluctantly drawn into a showdown, where they discover NOWHERE BOYS that to save the lives of their loved ones and return stability to their world; they must make a terrible sacrifice… After an epic battle, the four give up their powers in order to vanquish Tegan and protect the universe. They return to life as normal teenagers, without magical THE BOOK OF SHADOWS powers, but with a bond stronger than ever before and the knowledge that they have battled ancient forces and saved more than one world. SYNOPSIS The Nowhere Boys are drawn back together when Felix finds Rising star Angourie Rice joins our four lead boys in the role of Tegan. A year on from having crossed dimensions, discovered a magically sealed Book of Shadows. Together, Felix, Andy, Rice first came to the big screen in These Final Hours and will next be magic, and battled the Restoring Demon in their own Jake and Sam perform a spell to open the book, but they seen in US feature The Nice Guys alongside Ryan Gosling. Returning backyards, the Nowhere Boys – Felix, Andy, Jake and Sam also unknowingly release Tegan, a powerful teenage force of for the movie are series regulars Darci McDonald (Ellen), Sean Rees- – are back home in Bremin and struggling with everyday chaos with a score to settle. Wemyss (Oscar), Michala Banas (Phoebe), Victoria Thaine (Alice), Ben teenage life. Felix has high hopes for the four heroes. Keller (Bear), Tamala Shelton (Mia) and Michelle Gerster (Viv). He wants them to push the limits of their magical ability, Tegan’s appetite for revenge causes a string of catastrophic working as a team to become masters of the arcane. But battles. As the link between the Real World and Negative The film is directed by David Caesar (Dirty Deeds, Idiot Box, Mullet) although he is unwilling to admit it, the boys have grown Space grows more tenuous, the godlike child, Bear, unleashes and was created by (Cut Snake, The Slap, Glitch) and apart. Once in perfect magical and elemental alignment, the Restoring Demon – the force of ultimate order. Tegan, screenplay by Tony Ayres, Rhys Graham and Craig Irvin. the boys are now a tangle of rivalry and distrust. however, easily overpowers the attack.

18 19 NOWHERE BOYS - THE BOOK OF SHADOWS NOWHERE BOYS - THE BOOK OF SHADOWS

20 21 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 3 NOWHERE BOYS SEASON 3

SEASON 3

THE STORY SO FAR NOW SEASON 3 BEGINS Back in Bremin, it’s a few years after the epic battle Season 3 begins when Luke, a tech-nerd, arrives where the original Nowhere Boys sacrificed their for his first day at Bremin High. All appears to be powers to restore order. Tegan and Bear joined tiresomely ordinary, but what he doesn’t know is that together as Order and Chaos leaving behind a Bremin is located at the convergence of magical ley power vacuum in Negative Space. lines and that someone has been awaiting his arrival to put together a new gang of Nowhere Boys. Three Felix, Andy, Jake and Sam have now moved have already been identified: Heath, the school’s on and left Bremin. Their story has become ‘bad boy’, is Fire; high achiever and track athlete a local legend … those four schoolboys that Niyanta is Earth; and musical theatre geek Jesse is disappeared mysteriously in the Bremin Ranges, Air. Unbeknown to him Luke is the fourth element only to reappear a few weeks later with no logical –Water. Coinciding with Luke’s arrival, people start explanation for what happened to them. disappearing, until one morning Luke, Heath, In Negative Space the absence of a Guardian to Niyanta and Jesse – discover they are the last four maintain the magical balance across the Multiverse people in the universe, and have been thrust into a means that malicious demons have been slowly terrifying empty wasteland. growing and evolving in the vacuum left behind. However, Luke and the three other elements are seemingly the only ones to notice or even remember those that have gone missing. They can’t talk to anyone else about it and, since they otherwise have almost nothing in common, they can barely even talk about it to each other

Then something even more ungraspable happens: Luke, Heath, Niyanta and Jordan wake up one morning to find their world completely deserted overnight. Phones have no signal, power isn’t running and there are no people anywhere in sight, living or dead.

22 23 UNDER THE RADAR \ MYKE BARTLETT REVIEWS THE LATEST

TV TOP PICK The Weekly Review - Stonnington, Nowhere Boys \ ABC3, Thursdays from November 7, 6.30pm NOWHERE BOYS » www.abc.net.au/abc3/ NOWHERE BOYS This new teenage drama is a rare thing — a kids’ TV show adults will want to watch. A mismatched group of four boys become lost on a school hike and, on making it back to civilisation, discover they no longer exist. It’s a simple, powerful idea, likely to resonate with fragile young egos jostling for recognition (and, perhaps, to jaded older folk wondering if anyone would miss them). The show feels very much informed by the recent boom in YA literary fiction, which often uses an outlandish, exciting premise 06 Nov 2013, by MYKE BARTLETT to examine adolescent issues. Each of the protagonists comes from a different clique — jock, geek, goth and hunk — with very different social standing. Forced to work together to solve the mystery of their own disappearance, the four soon discover that, despite appearances, nobody really has it any better. At the core is a script fast enough and funny enough to keep the kids hooked, with degrees of cleverness and subtlety likely to please a more mature palate. Finally, here is a reason to watch ABC3. \

TO READ MORE REVIEWS

(SUPPLIED) www.theweeklyreview.com.au/undertheradar General News, page 24 - 351.57 cm² Suburban - circulation 150,000 (--W----)

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UNDER THE RADAR \ MYKE BARTLETT REVIEWS THE LATEST

TV TOP Nowhere Boys \ ABC3, Thursdays PICK IN THE PRESS from November 7, 6.30pm Canberra Times, Canberra “…it’s a fair bet Nowhere Boys is hitting its target » www.abc.net.au/abc3/ 17 Nov 2014 This new teenage drama is a rare thing — a kids’ TV show adults will want to watch. A mismatched group of four boys become lost TV Guide, page 1 - 1,646.00 cm² on a school hike and, on making it back to civilisation, discover Capital City Daily - circulation 24,851 (MTWTFS-) market, but it’s also a real pleasure for anyone they no longer exist. It’s a simple, powerful idea, likely to resonate with fragile young egos jostling for recognition (and, perhaps, to jaded older folk wondering if anyone would miss them). The show feels very much informed by the recent boom in YA Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au) ID 340653206 BRIEF ABC_TV INDEX 5.70 PAGE 1 of 4 interested in quality comedy/drama. There are literary fiction, which often uses an outlandish, exciting premise to examine adolescent issues. Each of the protagonists comes from a different clique — jock, geek, goth and hunk — with very different social standing. Forced to work together to solve the mystery of their own disappearance, the four soon discover that, wonderful moments designed to appeal to its core despite appearances, nobody really has it any better. At the core is a script fast enough and funny enough to keep the kids hooked, with degrees of cleverness and subtlety likely to please a more audience. But there’s also a wonderful subtlety to MEDIA BREAK mature palate. Finally, here is a reason to watch ABC3. \ PUBLICATION: NT Newa TO READ MORE REVIEWS

(SUPPLIED) www.theweeklyreview.com.au/undertheradar DATE: Thursday 7 January 2016 much of the action that keeps things both surprising and satisfying. The four young stars are terrific..”

Red handed: Looking back at Countdown. Page 3.

Making contact: Ray Martin takes a cultural journey. Page 4

Livewire: The best weather app, rain or shine. Page 8

Border Mail, Albury-Wodonga 19 Nov 2014

General News, page 25 - 1,851.00 cm² Regional - circulation 18,822 (MTWTFS-) LOST & West Australian, Perth FOUND Teen boys’ lives take a supernatural twist in new TV drama Nowhere Boys. P5 04 Nov 2013, by Pam Brown

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factor

How an ABC kids show became an international success. Page 5 LOST &

‘..Nowhere Boys explores

“At the core [of Nowhere FOUND

Teen boys’ lives take a well-worn teem themes

Boys] is a script fast enough supernatural twist in new TV

drama Nowhere Boys. P5 without mawkishness and funny enough to keep

and throws up some the kids hooked, with philosophical questions.” degrees of cleverness and

TV Week, National 22 Nov 2014 subtlety likely to please a General News, page 94 - 1,503.00 cm² more mature palate.” Magazines Lifestyle - circulation 146,747 (M------) West Australian, Perth 17 Nov 2014

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Sunday Mail (Adel) 1st ed., Adelaide 03 Nov 2013

Introducing Chill, page 1 - 656.83 cm² Capital City Daily - circulation 246,007 (------S) owhere Boys was one of the breakout shows of 2013 – and now it’s back for another round! Copyright Agency licensed copy The surprise hit centres on (www.copyright.com.au) ID 221453067 BRIEF ABC_TV INDEX 3.53 PAGE 1 of 2 Nfour mismatched high school boys who N fi nd themselves lost in an alternate world. The premiere season of the ABC teen drama scored an AACTA award, the Prix Jeunesse International Youth Jury prize and a TV WEEK Logie Award. “The reaction to the show nationwide, and then globally as well, has been so unprecedented and amazing,” Matt Testro, 18, who plays Jake, says. So, can season two deliver the goods? The cast members are pretty confi dent that this time around will bring more drama and supernatural intrigue than ever before! Here’s a look at what’s coming up... y Welcome home w The fi rst series of Nowhere Boys followed the teens’ attempts to escape back to their normal lives. They later discovered that it was magic-inclined Felix (Dougie Baldwin) who had inadvertently sent the group away with a spell. This season opens with the return home of Felix and Jake along with their unlikely friends Sam (Rahart Adams) and Andy (Joel Lok). While the boys’ families are ecstatic to have them back, their absence has caused a media frenzy. Still curious? Find out five more interesting facts about the show at tvweek. com.au DEMON “…it’s delivered with enormous intelligence and respect, From left: Andy, DAYS Jake, brothers Oscar (Sean Rees-Wemyss) The elemental drama of hit Aussie and Felix, and Sam. as well as style and verve. Great direction combined with Back to teen series Nowhere Boys. P5 w j an extraordinarily talented young cast (Dougie Baldwin, Joel Lok, Rahart Adams and Matthew Testro are uniformly NOWHERE A The Nowhere Boys cast reveal all the magic and mystery in store for season two fantastic) help make every moment ring true..”

24 25 NOWHERE BOYS NOWHERE BOYS CREATIVE TEAM

MATCHBOX PICTURES

Matchbox is one of Australia’s premier producers Tony Ayres of high quality and award-winning television Series Creator, Executive Producer and film production, ranging from drama and comedy, children’s programming, factual and Wanted, The Family Law, Glitch, Cut Snake, entertainment content, animation and feature The Slap, The Straits, , films for the international marketplace. They Walking on Water, Bogan Pride also develop games and apps to support their programs across platforms. Beth Frey Producer In 2011, Matchbox became the first company outside the UK to join NBCUniversal in its Nowhere Boys, Next Stop Hollywood, Dr International Television arm alongside Carnival Sarmast’s Music School, Rollerboy, Films, Monkey Kingdom and Working Title Films. Liquid Stone, Stranded In January 2014 NBCU acquired full ownership of the company. Michael McMahon Executive Producer Notable productions include television dramas Ali’s Wedding, Cut Snake, The Slap, Saved, The The Slap, Old School, Devil’s Playground, Home Song Stories, Lou, Call Me Mum, Bogan Underground: The Julian Assange Story, Deadline Pride, Next Stop Hollywood Gallipoli, Glitch, children’s dramas Nowhere Boys and My Place, and Entertainment programs such Chris Oliver-Taylor as Real Housewives of Melbourne, Next Stop Managing Director Hollywood and Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer.

Key Programs in Production in 2016 include: Glitch for ABC TV, Real Housewives of Melbourne series 3 for Arena, Secret City for Foxtel. Wanted for 7 and Hide & Seek for 9.

26 27 NOWHERE BOYS What the Critics said ... “A lively hybrid blending the group adventure aspects of an Enid Blyton novel, the supernatural elements of Lost, the on-the-run trajectory of The Fugitive and the ‘What if …?’ Conceit of Sliding Doors.” The Green Guide, The Age 31 Oct 2013 “This new teenage drama is a rare thing — a kids’ TV show adults will want to watch. At the core is a script fast enough and funny enough to keep the kids hooked, with degrees of cleverness and subtlety likely to please a more mature palate.” Myke Bartlett, The Weekly Review 1 Nov 2013 “Both grown-ups and adolescents will find it addictive viewing. Pacey and yoof-tainment with snazzy packaging and a compelling “what if” existential premise.” Luke Buckmaster, Crikey 1 Aug 2013 Nowhere Boys hits its mark form the outset with a clever mix of drama and mystery.” David Knox TV Tonight 1 Nov 2013 “An intriguing premise with enough spooky elements to grab a tween-age audience.” Paul Simpson Sci-Fi Bulletin Aug 2014 “It’s a simple and terrific mystery made better for being executed at just the right pace. Nowhere Boys is engaging and puzzling: a Twilight Zone quality concept with a mystic core of Australia’s ancient dreamtime mythology running through it” “It’s an ingenious idea not just because of its story potential, but because being erased from the life you knew taps directly into the teenage anxiety of being simultaneously invisible to society and persecuted by it.” Rob Smedley CULTBOX.CO.UK 28 Aug 2014