Redfern's cracker of a drama

Production has begun on the ABC's six-part indigenous drama Redfern Now. The series, developed by British writer Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Street) and local indigenous writers, tells the stories of ''six inner-city households whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident''. The cast includes Deborah Mailman, Dean Daley-Jones, Kelton Pell and Leah Purcell with episodes directed by Purcell, Rachel Perkins, Catriona McKenzie and Wayne Blair. It will air this year.

ABC splashes out

The ABC has bought Gregor Jordan's documentary on Ian Thorpe, titled The Swimmer: Ian Thorpe. Jordan followed Thorpe for 18 months leading up to the Australian swimming championships, where he failed to qualify for the London Olympic Games, providing the documentary with a bittersweet rather than fairytale ending. It airs in July.

Ask the audience

Channel Ten has commissioned a new series from Granada Media Australia called The Audience. The British format sees a person at a crossroads in their life turn to ''the audience'', a diverse crowd of 50 ordinary people, and draw on their collective experiences for advice.

Republic of Rusty

In a coup for the Canadian crime drama Republic of Doyle, Russell Crowe stars in the first episode of the third series, which airs here on Friday on the pay TV channel 13th Street. Crowe plays the leader of a gang along with three of his Robin Hood co-stars - Scott Grimes, Kevin Durand and Alan Doyle.

Darkness of a Sunnyboy

Screen Australia recently announced funding for the ABC documentary The Sunnyboy, which profiles Jeremy Oxley, the frontman of '80s band The Sunnyboys, who has suffered schizo-phrenia for 30 years. The original line-up recently played its first gig in 20 years.