Paramount+ Australia, Screen Australia and Screen NSW have commissioned Playing Gracie Darling, a six-hour scripted Paramount+ Original drama series, produced by Curio Pictures.
Sony Pictures Television is handling international distribution of the series, which was announced at Paramount's 2025 Upfront presentation.
When Joni was 14, her best friend Gracie Darling disappeared during a séance and hasn’t been seen since.
Twenty-seven years on, the local kids in a small town get their kicks with a game of ‘Playing Gracie Darling’ – but the seemingly innocent game turns sinister when another girl disappears.
Joni, now a child psychologist, returns to the town where her best friend Gracie mysteriously disappeared to confront her deep fear of the unknown and find out what really happened to Gracie that fateful night.
Local sergeant Jamil will partner with Joni to uncover the truth, while Gracie’s sister Ruth faces a mother’s worst nightmare when her own daughter vanishes under hauntingly similar circumstances.
Moira, Ruth’s mother, clings to faith as she faces her own worst fears.
Created and written by Miranda Nation (Undertow) and directed by Jonathan Brough (Rosehaven, The End), Playing Gracie Darling stars Morgana O’Reilly (The White Lotus, Friends Like Me) playing Joni.
The show also features an ensemble cast, including Rudi Dharmalingam playing Jay, Celia Pacquola playing Ruth, Annie Maynard who plays Anita and Anne Tenney playing Moira, with more announcements to follow.
Playing Gracie Darling is executive produced by Curio’s Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, Sophia Mogford for Paramount+ and Miranda Nation. Laura Nagy is on board as associate producer and additional scripts are written by Anya Beyersdorf (Fake).
Playing Gracie Darling is a Curio Pictures production for Paramount+, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Paramount Australia. The show is financed with support from Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund, with post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW.
Actor Morgana O’Reilly, who plays Joni, said she is beyond thrilled to be a part of this series.
"I devoured the scripts in one sitting. Joni is a complex, paradoxical woman haunted by ghosts of past and present. I'm especially drawn to the relationship between her and her teenage daughter," she said.
“I know how triggering motherhood can be; when you think you have something well hidden, your kids know how to dig it up. So many skeletons. I can't wait to get stuck into this character and her world.”
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said Playing Gracie Darling offers a fresh take on the supernatural mystery genre that is sure to captivate audiences both in Australia and abroad.
"With a strong, award-winning team at Curio and a compelling script from Miranda Nation and Anya Beyersdorf, this series promises to be a must-watch on Paramount+," said Brundson.
Screen NSW head Kyas Hepworth said Miranda Nation has expertly blended the supernatural, coming of age and crime thriller genres, and with executive producers Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner from Curio Pictures on board, Playing Gracie Darling is sure to be an engrossing and enthralling drama.
"I’m excited to welcome this project to NSW, with the series creating many fulltime jobs for local cast and crew in the state when it begins shooting in Sydney and regional areas," said Hepworth.
Paramount Australia's SVP of content and programming, Daniel Monaghan, said the company is thrilled to bring audiences this premium female led crime thriller.
"Morgana O’Reilly is a star on the rise. We are so fortunate to have secured her for the lead role along with one of the most impressive ensemble casts this series could have hoped for," he said.
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