Last King of the Cross

Last updated

Last King of the Cross
Based onLast King of the Cross
by John Ibrahim
Starring Lincoln Younes
Composer Antony Partos
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producerMark Fennessy
Producers
  • Karl Zwicky
  • Mark Fennessy
  • Alexander Pettaras
  • Alexandra Doering
CinematographyBruce Young
Editors
  • Nicole La Macchia
  • James Manche
  • Stafford Jackson Wales
  • Mark Perry
Running time44–62 minutes
Production companyHelium Pictures
Original release
Network Paramount+
Release17 February 2023 (2023-02-17) 
present

Last King of the Cross is an Australian drama television series on Paramount+, which premiered on 17 February 2023. The series is inspired by the autobiography of nightclub owner John Ibrahim and his experiences in Sydney's Kings Cross and Oxford Street. It is produced by Helium Pictures and distributed internationally through Cineflix Rights. [1] [2] The second season premiered on 30 August 2024. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Premise

The series follows John Ibrahim's (Lincoln Younes) journey from early poverty amid a Lebanese immigrant family to later success. [6] Despite a lack of prospects, he becomes a nightclub mogul of Sydney's Kings Cross, known as much for entertainment as for crime and vice. [7]

Once established in King's Cross, Ibrahim sets his sights on 1990s Oxford Street in Sydney. [8]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

Production

Filming of the first season began in 2022, with strict Covid-19 protocols in place. A car park in Western Sydney was converted to recreate the Kings Cross area. The team had to film amid torrential rain, amid the 2022 New South Wales floods. [9]

Ian McShane had originally been cast as Ezra Shipman, but had to withdraw citing health reasons. The role was recast with Tim Roth. [9]

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 10February 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)April 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)
2 8August 30, 2024 (2024-08-30)October 11, 2024 (2024-10-11)

Series 1

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Episode 1" raymo Kieran Darcy-SmithFebruary 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)
22"Episode 2"Kieran Darcy-SmithKieran Darcy-SmithFebruary 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)
33"Episode 3"Catherine Millar Morgan O'Neill February 24, 2023 (2023-02-24)
44"Episode 4"Catherine MillarJane AllenMarch 3, 2023 (2023-03-03)
55"Episode 5"Grant BrownAlastair Newton BrownMarch 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)
66"Episode 6"Grant Brown Matt Nable March 17, 2023 (2023-03-17)
77"Episode 7"Ian WatsonJames PopeMarch 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)
88"Episode 8"Ian WatsonMorgan O'NeillMarch 31, 2023 (2023-03-31)
99"Episode 9"Grant Brown & Kieran Darcy-SmithKieran Darcy-SmithApril 7, 2023 (2023-04-07)
1010"Episode 10"Grant Brown & Kieran Darcy-SmithMorgan O’NeillApril 14, 2023 (2023-04-14)

Series 2

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Episode 1"Grant Brown Sam Meikle August 30, 2024 (2024-08-30)
122"Episode 2"Grant BrownFin EdquistAugust 30, 2024 (2024-08-30)
133"Episode 3"Grant BrownSarah SmithSeptember 6, 2024 (2024-09-06)
144"Episode 4"Ian WatsonTim PyeSeptember 13, 2024 (2024-09-13)
155"Episode 5"Ian WatsonJames PopeSeptember 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
166"Episode 6"Ian WatsonSam MeikleSeptember 27, 2024 (2024-09-27)
177"Episode 7"Tori GarrettJane AllenOctober 4, 2024 (2024-10-04)
188"Episode 8"Tori GarrettFin EdquistOctober 11, 2024 (2024-10-11)

Reception

The first season of the show became the most-watched Australian series on Paramount+. [7]

See also

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References

  1. "Production underway on Last King of the Cross | TV Tonight".
  2. "LAST KING OF THE CROSS (2022) - The Screen Guide". Screen Australia . Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. Ramachandran, Naman (23 June 2023). "Paramount+ Greenlights Season 2 of Crime Drama 'Last King of The Cross' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  4. Knox, David (24 October 2023). "2024 Upfronts: 10 / Paramount+". TV Tonight . Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. Thomas, Tia (13 August 2024). "Last King of The Cross season two's release date has been revealed". Now to Love . Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  6. "Lincoln Younes Set as Star of Paramount Plus Australian Series 'Last King of the Cross'". 16 March 2022.
  7. 1 2 Last King of The Cross becomes most-watched Australian series on Paramount+ Media Week. 27 February 2023
  8. With new territory to conquer, Sydney’s nightclub supremo branches out in season two of ‘Last King of the Cross’ TV Week. 26 August 2024
  9. 1 2 ‘Godfather’-esque Crime Thriller ‘Last King Of The Cross’ Is Proving That Australian TV Drama Is So Much More Than ‘Neighbours’ Deadline. 21 March 2023