Foxtel signs up for The House Of Hancock
Foxtel has been revealed as the broadcaster for Screentime’s forthcoming dramatisation of the story behind Gina Rinehart’s huge wealth.
The House Of Hancock, based on Adele Ferguson’s book, will focus on the story of Rinehart’s father Lang Hancock.
Based on today’s announcement, it appears that the six hour miniseries will steer away from the recent life story of the at-times-litigious Rinehart, who is currently a major shareholder of Fairfax Media.
Screentime acquired the rights to Ferguson’s book at the start of the year. According to today’s announcement from Foxtel:
“The six hour drama is to be based on original research using a number of sources; in particular Adele Ferguson’s bestselling biography Gina Rinehart.
“The House of Hancock will span Hancock’s life from the ochre red outback of the Pilbara to the glamour of 1980s Perth.
“Hancock was the most powerful mining magnate in Australia, fervently devoted to his business and his family name. With an instinct for success, a loving wife, and powerful connections, his greatest joy came from the birth of his daughter, whom he would raise as the single heir to a mining dynasty. But the death of his wife and the entrance of Rose saw the father/daughter relationship tested – a rift that would be played out on the media stage. Finally reconciling upon his deathbed, Lang would leave his vast business empire to the one he raised as his heir, a choice that would shape not just a nation, but a global economy.
Foxtel’s executive director of TV Brian Walsh said “The House of Hancock is an enticing idea for the screen and captures the life of a truly extraordinary Australian. Foxtel and Screentime’s drama creative teams will work closely together over the next few months to explore the full potential of the miniseries.”
Screentime executive chairman Des Monaghan said “We are delighted to be developing for the screen this extraordinary story about a family who have done so much to shape the Australia of today.”
It has previously been reported that a second mini series – with the working title of Mother Monster Magnate – is in production from CJZ which also p-lans to look at the Rinehart story.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
Linkedin
Who will play the Mother Monster Magnate?
Magda Szubanski?
Chrissie Swan in her acting debut?
Or the ubiquitous Roy Billing?
Bud-T 2000 is contractually obligated to appear in every local film and TV production…
User ID not verified.
Yep, this is what i have been waiting for to really get value out of a Fox subscription.
User ID not verified.
No wonder I do not pay for Foxtel. Nothing on and nothing new worth watching
User ID not verified.
Why is Australia so obsessed with making dramatised bio-pics about local magnates of one kind or another, some of whom aren’t even dead yet? A frame hasn’t even been filmed but already I couldn’t care less. How about investing in some original creative fiction instead? I get more than enough exposure to Gina et al from our navel-gazing press!!
User ID not verified.
Now we shall sing the patriotic song “We breathlessly await approval from our plutocrat overlords, whilst toiling in the factories for $2 a day”.
User ID not verified.