ABC lifts scripted slate by 50% under Hugh Marks

By James Dore · 2026-10-22

What the ABC announced

At its 2027 showcase in Sydney on 21 October, the ABC said it will lift its scripted slate by 50% and double the volume of premium children's titles over the next three years. It was the first slate developed entirely under managing director Hugh Marks.^[1] "Without doubt the ABC is the undisputed leader in sharing Australia's stories with Australians," Marks said.^[2]

New dramas include Fortitude Valley, a cold-case series with Hunter Page-Lochard, Kat Stewart and Rupert Everett; Rural Crime Unit, with Rebecca Gibney and Morgana O'Reilly; The Great White, with Hugo Weaving as a disgraced barrister; and John Bailey – The Enemy Within, adapted from Tim Ayliffe's novel. Fisk returns for a fourth season.^[1] ABC director of screen Jennifer Collins said the slate "is built around unmissable Australian stories with integrity, originality and authenticity".^[3]

Children's television

Emma Watkins, who announced the children's slate, said the ABC "will double the volume of premium children's titles it delivers to Australian children" and that "the ABC is the only consistent commissioner of children's content in this country." New titles include Little Lunch: New Class and Emma's Dance Club, and a Bluey feature film will air on the ABC after its 2027 cinema release.^[1]

Why it matters for producers

Mumbrella set the announcement against falling commercial investment: commercial TV spending on Australian adult drama is down 44% since 2019-20, spending on children's and streaming drama fell 41% in 2024-25, and four of the five Australian children's TV and streaming drama titles that entered production in 2024-25 were ABC commissions.^[1] For independent producers, a 50% bigger ABC scripted slate is one of the few growing sources of local drama commissions.

News documentaries in the slate include Alliance, on seven decades of the Australia–US relationship, and The Rise and Fall of Alan Jones.^[2] Mediaweek's Natasha Lee said the slate leans heavily on journalists and crime drama.^[3] You Can't Ask That returns after four years off air, and rage turns 40.^[4]

James Dore

James Dore is founder and editor of Prompt the Market and Strategy Director at Bushnote, a Sydney strategy, SEO and AI search agency. He has a background in strategy, media and financial services, and led consumer product marketing at MONEYME. He writes on AI search, answer engines, technology policy and media economics.