Production has started on ABC’s new five-part series about parenting called The Role Of A Lifetime.
Produced by Dreamchaser, the series will be fronted by television and radio personality Amanda Keller, and will explore ‘the challenges of parenting in the face of a rapidly changing world.’
Actress Kate Ritchie and comedian Nazeem Hussain will also appear, ‘coming together to act out real life parenting scenarios, propelling them into immersive and unexpected factual explorations to guide us in raising resilient, happy children.’
Prolific parenting author, educator and podcaster, Maggie Dent (also known as ‘Australia’s queen of common sense’) will provide insightful parental guidance throughout the series.
ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones said, ‘This series highlights the ABC’s commitment to innovation by blending factual content with scripted comedy. We believe our audiences will find this series both highly engaging and entertaining, as well as informative and enlightening.’
Dreamchaser Executive Producer Debbie Cuell said, ‘The Role Of A Lifetime is the first commission for Sparkle Pictures and Dreamchaser Studios Partnership, and I am thrilled to be launching with such an exciting genre bending Documentary series in partnership with the ABC.
Debbie Cuell is the former Head of Entertainment ABC, and was a producer on factual shows including The Gruen Transfer and the International Emmy Award-winning Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds for the ABC, and Ambulance Australia for Nine.
Read: New ABC comedy Optics will master the art of spin
Dreamchaser was launched in April 2022 by former Nine CEO Hugh Marks and former Endemol Shine Australia co-CEO Fennessy, with the backing of Endeavor Content, as both a production and distribution business aimed at driving global projects with creative partners. Soon after launch, Dreamchaser partnered with leading Australian factual producers Debbie Cuell, Leigh Aramberri and Emma Lamb.
Cuell said of The Role of a Lifetime, ‘I am delighted to be able to bring together the talents of Kate Ritchie and Nazeem Hussain alongside Amanda Keller as host and Maggie Dent as our resident queen of parenting.’
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said the series ‘boldly explores the many contemporary and pertinent challenges facing parents’ and that Screen NSW was pleased to support the production that would ‘help guide and empower the parents of today’.
Production credit: Commissioned by the ABC. Produced by Dreamchaser. Major production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Executive Producer: Debbie Cuell. ABC Commissioning Editor Julie Hanna. ABC Head of Factual Susie Jones.
The Role Of A Lifetime will broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2025.
