| Barracuda | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Miniseries |
| Based on | Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Robert Connolly |
| Starring |
|
| Composer | Bryony Marks |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Producers | |
| Cinematography | Stefan Duscio |
| Editor | Rodrigo Balart |
| Production company | Matchbox Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | 10 July – 31 July 2016 |
Barracuda is an Australian drama miniseries, first broadcast on ABC TV starting 10 July 2016. [1] The series is based on Barracuda , the 2013 novel by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas. [2]
Barracuda is written by Blake Ayshford and Belinda Chayko and directed by Robert Connolly. It is produced by Tony Ayres and Amanda Higgs with Christos Tsiolkas as associate producer. The series is a Matchbox Pictures production in association with ABC Television, Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
In 1996, Danny Kelly is a talented swimmer who attends a prestigious Melbourne private school on a sporting scholarship. He is from a working-class background and is the target of harassment from more privileged students. [3] Danny yearns to win swimming gold at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He is mentored by coach Frank Torma and develops a friendship and rivalry with teammate Martin Taylor. [4]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Australian viewers [nb 1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" or "1996" | Robert Connolly | Blake Ayshford | 10 July 2016 | 630,000 [6] | |
Transferring to an exclusive school on a swimming scholarship, Danny's ambitions for pool glory are met with racist hostility, especially from the swim squad's gold-winner. | |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" or "1997" | Robert Connolly | Belinda Chayko | 17 July 2016 | 557,000 [7] | |
Danny welcomes the distraction of being introduced into the Taylor family's well-to-do world on a weekend away, before preparations for the National Championships begin. | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" or "1998" | Robert Connolly | Blake Ayshford | 24 July 2016 | 521,000 [8] | |
With the world stage in Kuala Lumpur awaiting him, Danny ignores the advice of his mentor and family, seeking the necessary edge from a fresh approach. | |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" or "2000" | Robert Connolly | Belinda Chayko | 31 July 2016 | 514,000 [9] | |
The consequences of Danny's blinkered determination play out, as a moment of rage risks ending a fond friendship, threatening to derail his life forever. | |||||||
Internationally, the series was acquired in the United Kingdom by BBC Three, in South Africa by Dstv [10] and Skai TV in Greece. [11]