''Devil's Playground'' is an Australian

psychological thriller Psychological thriller is a Film genre, genre combining the thriller (genre), thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting ...

television series which premiered on Showcase on 9 September 2014. It was created as a sequel to the 1976 film, '' The Devil's Playground''. The series begins in 1988 and follows the story of Tom Allen, a recently widowed psychiatrist and a secular counselor to the Catholic clergy, who becomes entangled in political and theological intrigue.

Simon Burke Simon Gareth Burke (born 8 October 1961) is an Australian actor, active in films, television and theatre. Biography Simon Burke began his career at the age of 12, starring in Michael Cove's ''Kookaburra'' (1974); a painful look at a dysfuncti ...

reprised his role as Tom Allen.

Development

On 26 November 2012, Matchbox Pictures announced that they would produce a drama series for Foxtel that would serve as a continuation to the 1976 film ''The Devil's Playground''. The series is produced by Helen Bowden,

Penny Chapman Penny Chapman is an Australian television producer. Her work includes the award-winning '' Brides of Christ,'' '' RAN Remote Area Nurse'' and ''My Place''. Penny received the Maura Fay Award for Services to the Industry at the 2013 Screen Produc ...

and Blake Ayshford and directed by Rachel Ward and Tony Krawitz. It is written by Blake Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison and Tommy Murphy and the Executive Producers are

Tony Ayres Tony Ayres (born 16 July 1961) is an Australian showrunner, screenwriter, director in television and feature film. He is most notable for his films '' Walking on Water'' and '' The Home Song Stories'', as well his work in television, including ...

, Penny Win and

Synopsis

The year is 1988. It is 35 years after the events of

Fred Schepisi Frederic Alan Schepisi ( ;Pauline Kael, Kael, Pauline (1984). ''Taking It All In''. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. p. 55. born 26 December 1939) is an Australian film director, producer, and screenwriter. His credits include ''The Cha ...

's classic film, ''The Devil's Playground''. Tom Allen, now in his 40s and recently widowed, is a respected Sydney psychiatrist and father of two children. A practising Catholic, Tom accepts an offer by the Bishop of Sydney to become a counsellor of priests. During these sessions and other events, he uncovers a scandal that embroils him through a personal hell hole and the Church's various attempts to cover it up. Tom's quest for justice pushes him to his limits, but it reveals a dark-side of the Church's power and the extent of official corruption, which he could never have envisaged.

Cast

as Tom Allen *

John Noble John Noble (born 20 August 1948) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his roles as Denethor in ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy (2001–2003), and Dr. Walter Bishop in the Fox science fiction series '' Fringe'' (2008–2013). ...

as Bishop John McNally * Don Hany as Bishop Vincent Quaid * Jack Thompson as Cardinal Constantine Neville *

Toni Collette Toni Collette (born Collett; 1 November 1972) is an Australian actress, singer, and songwriter. Known for her work in television, blockbusters and independent films, her accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, wit ...

NSW New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a state on the east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west. Its coast borders the Coral and Tasman Seas to the east. T ...

MP Margaret Wallace * Andrew McFarlane as Father Marco Andrassi * Uli Latukefu as Father Matteo *

Max Cullen Maxwell Phillip Cullen (born 29 April 1940) is an Australian stage and screen actor. He has appeared in many Australian films and television series but is best known for his role in the film '' Spider and Rose'' and the television series '' The ...

as Father Joyce * Leon Ford as Brother Warren * James Fraser as David Allen * Morgan Davies as Bridie Allen * Malcolm Kennard as Joe Kelly * Anna Lise Phillips as Alice Kelly * Ben Hall as Finton Kelly * Fletcher Watson as Peter Kelly * Michael Denkha as Massimo Drago * Jason Klarwein as Matthew Darcy * Jessica Donoghue as Catherine Darcy * Jarin Towney as Elliot Darcy * Coco Jack Gillies as Megan Darcy * Avani Farriss as Rachel Darcy * Matt Levett as Brendan Mahony * Rory Potter as Cavanagh *

Danny Adcock Danny Adcock is an Australian actor. Career Film and television Adcock has worked extensively in television. After scoring a handful of guest roles, he landed his first film role as a policeman in the Ozploitation film '' The Cars That At ...

as Father Drake * Darren Gilshenan as Father Lenken

Episodes

Awards and nominations

References

{{AACTA Award TeleFilmMiniSeries 2010–2029 2010s Australian drama television series 2014 Australian television series debuts Australian English-language television shows Showcase (Australian TV channel) original programming Television series by Matchbox Pictures