L-R: Mithila Gupta (creator/writer), Nicole Reddy (writer), S. Shakthidharan (writer), Mohini Herse (director), Fadia Abboud (director), Ian Collie (producer), Rob Gibson (producer) and Stephen Corvini (producer).
Screen Australia and SBS, in association with Screen NSW and ITV Studios are thrilled to announce the commission of a new eight-part Australian drama for 2024, Four Years – the story of two people trying to find each other again after being separated for four years. In the spirit of Normal People, the series examines intimacy, desire, in amongst the power dynamics of a relationship.
Achingly powerful, Four Years follows the turbulent marriage of two young Indian lovers, Sridevi and Yash, through two timelines, two worlds, told through dual perspectives. Full of romance and the yearning to find someone you once loved again, in amongst the turmoils and challenges of life, this ground-breaking Australian series uses the Hindi and English languages interchangeably.
Production of the eight-part series will commence in Mumbai and Jaipur, India and Sydney NSW early next year. Four Years is created by Mithila Gupta (Five Bedrooms, Bump) and features a writing team all with South Asian heritage: Mithila, Nicole Reddy and S. Shakthidharan and will be directed by Mohini Herse (the SBS Digital Original Appetite) and Fadia Abboud (Year Of, Five Bedrooms). It will be produced by award-winning Easy Tiger Productions (Colin From Accounts, The Twelve) for SBS. Major production investment from Screen Australia and Screen NSW in association with SBS.
SBS and Screen Australia also unveiled the stellar cast of the fresh high-paced eight-part drama series, Swift Street. Internationally acclaimed actor Cliff Curtis (Avatar: The Way of Water) and rising star Tanzyn Crawford (Tiny Beautiful Things) lead the cast as dysfunctional father-daughter duo Robert and Elsie, who become partners in crime against the backdrop of bustling inner-city Melbourne.
Screen Australia’s Head of Content, Grainne Brunsdon said, “2024 is set to be an exciting year for Australian television. With the arrival of these new vibrant and refreshing drama series, Four Years and Swift Street, audiences will be captivated by these two compelling narratives that authentically mirror modern Australia. Through a unique exploration of love and an edgy crime-drama, we’re delighted to partner with SBS to bring this amazing talent to the screen – paving the way for greater inclusivity both behind and in front of the camera.”
SBS Head of Scripted, Julie Eckersley said, “Both Swift St and Four Years represent an exciting new wave of Australian television. They bring fresh and exciting voices and talent into the mainstream. They are entertaining and full of heart and visually bold and distinct. There has never been such an exciting time for Australian television, and we are thrilled at SBS to be at the forefront of it.”
Producers Ian Collie and Rob Gibson of Easy Tiger Productions said, “We are so excited to be working with SBS again (previous dramas include the award-winning dramas Sunshine and The Principal) and to be collaborating with the exciting talent that is creator/writer Mithila Gupta. Four Years will be something that we rarely see on Australian television – an unashamedly romantic drama – as we follow the fortunes, passions and heartbreak that is the rollercoaster ride for our Indian newlyweds Yash and Sridevi over a four year period.”
Producers Lois Randall and Ivy Mak of Magpie Pictures said, “Swift Street will change the face of Australian television. It was an honour to work with Cliff Curtis, Tanzyn Crawford and our extraordinary cast, creatives and crew to bring Tig Terera’s edgy urban heist-escapade to life!”
Four Years and Swift Street will both premiere on SBS and SBS On Demand in 2024.
Four Years
