Creating Australian Television Drama: A Screenwriting History

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Television drama has shaped popular storytelling for over sixty years, influencing millions. This book surveys the careers of key Australian television writers who adapted to the medium's constraints while exploring its creative opportunities. Through interviews, it chronicles the establishment of Australian television drama production and how writers seized the creative and business prospects it offered. The work examines the evolution of Australian adaptations of major television genres, including sitcoms, police dramas, historical series, docudramas, and social dramas, presenting a canon of significant productions worthy of remembrance. It also highlights the emergence of Indigenous writers in television and advocates for the inclusion of television drama in discussions of Australian film and stage history. Critics praise the book for its meticulous research and engaging narrative, emphasizing the importance of writers' perspectives on their craft and the industry. It captures the journey of Australian scripted television from its 1950s origins to the present, allowing writers to share their visions, processes, joys, and frustrations. The work is recognized for its comprehensive and lucid portrayal of the contributions of television drama, docudrama, and comedy to Australian culture.