TLDR
Network 10's streaming service has greenlit Mushroom Murders, a six-part drama with Melanie Lynskey as Erin Patterson, to be filmed in Victoria. It was announced two days before the Court of Appeal is due to rule on Patterson's appeal against her convictions and the prosecution's appeal against her sentence.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The series
Network 10's streaming service has greenlit Mushroom Murders, a limited drama starring Melanie Lynskey as Erin Patterson. Lynskey, a multi-Emmy nominee known for Yellowjackets, is also an executive producer.[1] The series was the headline streaming drama at Network 10's 2027 upfront, and it will be filmed in Victoria with support from the Victorian Screen Incentive.[3]
It was created by Anya Beyersdorf, Daina Reid and Deb Balderstone and is produced by Soapbox Pictures. Beyersdorf, Dianne Taylor and Belinda Chayko wrote it, and Reid directs all six episodes.[1]
"This is an ambitious series that brings a gripping real-life story, that captivated Australia and the world, to the screen with the scale, quality and creative vision audiences expect from Paramount+," said Beverley McGarvey, president of Network 10 and its head of streaming.[1]
The case it covers
The drama covers the 97 days between the lunch and Patterson's arrest.[1] At that lunch, at her home in Leongatha on 29 July 2023, Gail and Don Patterson and Heather Wilkinson were fatally poisoned; Ian Wilkinson survived. A jury found Patterson guilty of three murders and one attempted murder on 7 July 2025, and on 8 September 2025 she was sentenced to life with a non-parole period of 33 years.[4]
An appeal ruling due on Friday
The announcement lands just ahead of the next chapter in the case. The Court of Appeal is due to deliver its decisions at 10am on Friday 30 October on two appeals: Patterson's appeal against the guilty verdicts and the Director of Public Prosecutions' appeal against her sentence. The court will livestream the decisions.[2]
A crowded field
Network 10 is not the only broadcaster with a project on the case. The ABC announced its own true crime drama, Toxic, in July 2025, and Nine's three-part documentary series Revealed: Death Cap Murders aired on Stan. The trial also spawned podcasts from Nine, the ABC and the Herald Sun.[4]
Mushroom Murders joins other new series greenlit for the streamer, including a Clueless sequel with Alicia Silverstone and Discretion with Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. No release date has been given.[1]
SOURCES & CITATIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who plays Erin Patterson in Mushroom Murders?
Where will Mushroom Murders be filmed?
When is the Erin Patterson appeal decision?
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.
