The Newsreader is an Australian television drama series created by Michael Lucas and broadcast on ABC television, starring Anna Torv and Sam Reid. The show explored the personal and professional lives of the journalists and crew in a 1980s Australian newsroom.
The first season premiered on 15 August 2021 and became ABCTV's most-viewed drama program of that year. The second season premiered in September 2023. Each season was met with critical acclaim and received the most nominations of any show or film at the AACTA Awards in 2021 and 2023. The third and final season was released on 2 February 2025 on ABC iView.
Premise The Newsreader is set in the fast-paced world of commercial television news during the 1980s. The series follows ambitious young reporter Dale Jennings, who joins the national news programme News at Six and is unexpectedly paired with Helen Norville, the network's volatile but highly respected chief newsreader. As they work together to deliver nightly broadcasts, the show explores the pressures of live television, the competition within newsrooms, and the impact of major national and international events on journalists and their audiences.
Across the series, the partnership between Dale and Helen becomes central to the narrative. Their professional collaboration unfolds against a backdrop of newsroom politics, shifting media culture, and the personal challenges faced by those working in high-profile broadcast roles. The programme combines fictional characters with dramatised portrayals of real news events from the period, examining how television journalism shapes public understanding while also affecting the lives of the people who produce it.
Cast and characters Main Anna Torv, as Helen Norville, the first female newsreader of the ratings-dominant News at Six. She rises into the position in an era where pervasive misogyny and sexism create roadblocks in her career, especially as her fragile mental health begins to worsen. She charts a recovery journey by leaping head-first into a relationship with junior reporter Dale. Sam Reid, as Dale Jennings, initially a junior reporter for News at Six, whose ambition to anchor a bulletin leads him to become Helen’s producer. The two become romantically involved, attracting media attention, while Dale grows increasingly concerned that his private life and personal secrets may be exposed on screen. Robert Taylor, as Geoff Walters (series 1–2), the long-time co-anchor of News at Six, is critical of Helen’s role, viewing it as part of the news industry’s shift towards entertainment and glamour to retain viewers. Feeling sidelined as part of the old guard, Geoff allows his health to decline but remains determined to persevere and resist being pushed out. William McInnes, as Lindsay Cunningham, the overbearing, easily irascible, casually bigoted, and ratings-obsessed head of the News at Six newsroom. Marg Downey, as Evelyn Walters, Geoff's wife, who diligently manages his career behind the scenes, often to his irritation and in an underhand way of ensuring her future financial interests are protected. Stephen Peacocke, as Rob Rickards, the sports editor, and former VFL player, for News at Six who struggles when temporarily promoted to co-anchor/relief anchor. As his prominence grows, he often asks Noelene for help, and as he becomes attracted to her, he appreciates her more. Michelle Lim Davidson, as Noelene Kim (later Rickards), the assiduous News at Six library researcher and autocue operator, is determined to make her mark, despite being a put-upon, badly treated, and unduly pressured. Chum Ehelepola, as Dennis Tibb, the meticulously working and hot-headed head producer of the newsroom. Chai Hansen, as Tim Ahern, one of the News at Six cameramen who develops a partially-requited crush on Dale. Rory Fleck Byrne, as Gerry Carroll (series 2), an affably charming variety show host and one of the most popular personalities and comedians on television. Daniel Gillies, as Charlie Tate (series 2), the network's insidiously suave new CEO, is determined to steer the channel and its news division in a more informal direction with a specific brand. Philippa Northeast, as Kay Walters (series 2–3), Geoff and Evelyn's complicated, fashion-interested daughter, often rushes to her father in light of a strained relationship with her mother, with whom she is less able to exploit parental affection for her than Geoff's more unconditional approach. Daniel Henshall, as Bill McFarlane (series 3), Helen's producer at Seven who later becomes her co-executive producer on her show, Public Eye, and whose unrequited infatuation with her disrupts their working relationship.
Recurring Caroline Lee, as Jean Pascoe, the newsroom secretary with a keen but well-intended interest in – and keeps tabs on – the newsroom gossip. Maria Angelico, as Cheryl Ricci, the talkative and warmly brash News at Six make-up artist. John Leary, as Murray Gallagher, News at Six editor. Jackson Tozer, as Ross McGrath, the sound technician for Tim (series 1) and Brian (series 2). Rhys Mitchell, as Brian Mathers, News at Six Cameramen. Maude Davey, as Val Jennings, Dale's attentive and doting mother. She is keen to see her son do well and aware of his past traumas. Queenie van de Zandt, as Donna Gillies, a headstrong, wily, experienced gossip columnist for The Sun, is well known for her attempts to publish the private lives of the network's personalities and talent. Bert La Bonté, as Gordon (series 1), News at Six director and camera operator. Dom Phelan, as Brett (series 1), the other sports editor for News at Six. Meewon Yang as Soon-Hee Kim (series 1–3), Noelene's doting mother. Joe Cho as Byung-Ho Kim (series 1–3), Noelene's father, who is initially less-than-welcoming at Noelene's relationship with Rob. Edwina Wren, as Cathy O'Hare (series 1, 3), Helen's sister, whose pleas for Helen to reunite with her estranged family fall on deaf ears. Damian Callinan, as Frank (series 2–3), News at Six director and camera operator. Jane Harber, as Carla Carroll (series 2), Gerry's outgoing and openminded wife. Claire Boucher, as Eliza (series 2), Charlie's acquaintance. Cazz Bainbridge, as Marta (series 2), Charlie's mistreated housekeeper. Nick Simpson-Deeks, as Paul Stricker (series 2–3), a calculating, assiduous member of Geoff's production team. Dan Spielman, as Vincent Callahan (series 2–3), head of rival network Seven's newsroom, whom Dennis tries to poach and who later successfully poaches Helen. Hunter Page-Lochard, as Lynus Preston (series 2–3), a passionate activist leader who protests the Bicentennial celebrations on behalf of, and as a vocal member of Australia's Indigenous peoples. Paula Nazarski, as Aunty "Tiny" (series 2–3), an older member of Lynus' extended family and protest group who doesn't suffer fools gladly. Andrew McFarlane, as Richard Bertrand (series 3), the new network CEO whom Lindsay and Dennis relentlessly attempt to butter up, and later Dale and Rob appeal to for Lindsay's dismissal. Robin McLeavy, as Marcia Evans (series 3), a therapist and psychologist recommended to Helen, who explores her possible borderline personality disorder. Maria Theodorakis, as Leonie Briggs (series 3), headstrong, confident and stoic secretary at Public Eye. Grant Piro as Wayne (series 3), producer of Public Eye with whom Helen had worked with a decade prior. Tom Wilson as Nick (series 3), a male escort hired by Dale on several occasions. Yuchen Wang, as Lee Zheng (series 3), a reporter at a network in Hong Kong who became familiar, and later entered a relationship, with Tim. Somi Han and Ruby Roh, as Hana Rickards (series 3), Noelene and Rob's newborn daughter.
Notable guests Robert Grubb, as Dr McCormack (series 1), has Helen as one of his patients and regularly refills her sleeping pill prescription despite her increasingly flimsy excuses. Tony Rickards, as Dr Shaw (series 1), Geoff's doctor, meets resistance from both him and Evelyn about what changes Geoff must make to improve his health. His recommendations for a long while off-screen were not well-received. Tim Draxl, as Adam (series 1), a former school friend of Dale's, aims to apologise for a brutal event in their shared past. Asmara Feik, as Alison (series 2), Gerry and Carla's young daughter. Em Rusciano, as Rhonda (series 2), a singer hired for the News at Sixs unnamed network's 1988 promo. Tony Briggs, as Uncle "Owie" (series 2), an older and more seasoned Aboriginal activist who clashes with Lynus on the best tactics for protesting the Bicentennial. Paula Arundell, as Nadia (series 2), a therapist at a private institution tries to encourage Geoff and Evelyn to involve themselves in Kay's recovery. Richard Davies, as Glen Rickards (series 2), Rob's gregarious brother and sports fanatic, partner to Kerrie. Nikki Shiels, as Kerrie Rickards (series 2), Rob's protective sister-in-law keen to inspect his girlfriends' qualities, expecting a child. Gillian Cosgriff, as Irene McFarlane (series 3), wife of Bill. Carolyn Bock as Ann Bertrand (series 3), wife of Richard. Clarence Ryan, as Deano Prince (series 3), an ex-VFL player who played with Rob in the 1970s, suffering racial abuse from fans and felt ostracised by his colleagues. Peta Brady, as Daniela Aranz (series 3), a former psychiatrist at a mental institution. Mark Mitchell, as Brian Mathers' father (series 3) Lewis Mitchell and Callum Mitchell, as Declan and Kieran Mathers (series 3), Brian Mathers' brothers. Catherine Glavcic, as Bev Gibson (series 3), executive at the News at Sixs network who attempts to reimagine Dale's presentation in light of negative viewer feedback. Nick Farnell, as Greg 'Walshy' Walsh (series 3), Seven executive whose attempts to overinvolve himself with the running of Public Eye irritate Helen.
Episodes
Series 1 (2021)
Series 2 (2023)
Series 3 (2025)
Production
The series was created by Michael Lucas and Joanna Werner and directed by Emma Freeman. Filmed in Melbourne, the series was written by Michael Lucas, Jonathan Gavin, Niki Aken and Kim Ho. Joanna Werner and Stuart Menzies, along with Brett Sleigh and Sally Riley on behalf of the ABC, executive produced the series. The series was supported through investments from Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
Development Lucas began working on what would become The Newsreader around 2015, during his work on Party Tricks and the fifth series of Offspring. Initially, it was not based around a newsroom setting, and the series was instead built upon a male and female lead that represented the flipping of gender stereotypes; a male lead "desperate to live up to [...] a particular version of masculinity" that "wasn't an actual fit" for him", and a female character required to match and contrast this male character with, who would comprise "those traditional masculine qualities" instead. The 1980s and newsroom setting was decided upon later, which Lucas concluded both elicited and compelled "more pressure on [both characters] to fulfil certain roles", with the masculine qualities of a newsreader juxtaposed against the misogyny of the 1980s that "punished" women that held them. Lucas' research into newsrooms of the 1980s over 2015 and 2016 – which included spending time interviewing those who worked in them at thetime – found that female newsreaders were caught in an "era of change", in how to present themselves and "look in a workplace" and industry dominated, and influenced by how "viewers liked the news [being] read" by, "very masculine voices of God". He undertook an assiduous and mammoth task of reading "nearly every newspaper from 1986", with a particular focus on letters to the editor, which Lucas claimed "give you the full picture of what people were making of things then".