The Mystery Of A Hansom Cab To Be Telemovie for ABC

CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN NOVEL THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB TO BE MADE INTO TELEMOVIE FOR ABC TV

John Waters (Offspring, All The Rivers Run), Shane Jacobson (Kenny, Beaconsfield), Chelsie Preston Crayford (Underbelly: Razor and winner of this year’s Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent), Helen Morse (The Eye of the Storm, A Town Like Alice) and Logie Award-nominee Anna McGahan (Underbelly: Razor, Spirited) will star in ABC TV’s The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, based on the international best-seller written by Fergus Hume.

Produced by Burberry Entertainment, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a tightly-plotted murder mystery, set in sophisticated 19th century Melbourne.  Filming starts  in Melbourne today.

The story revolves around the death of a gentleman in the back of a hansom cab after a night on the town.  Two men get into a hansom cab. Only one gets out alive.

With its captivating characters, from the elite to those less fortunate, this compelling telemovie involves twists and turns to the very end.

Written and published in Melbourne in 1886, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab was the first great international crime blockbuster – it was released the year before Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Sherlock Holmes mystery.  The Mystery of a Hansom Cab was last made into a movie in 1926.

“We are thrilled to be making this stunning period piece, which exquisitely depicts Melbourne in the midst of a 19th century population and economic boom”, said Ewan Burnett, CEO of Burberry Entertainment.

Carole Sklan, Head of ABC TV Fiction, says  “We’re delighted to be bringing this compelling Australian murder mystery to ABC TV. It is a true classic, the story keeps surprising, and the creative team at Burberry have brought together a wonderful cast”.

The telemovie will also star Gerry Connolly (Dead Gorgeous), Felix Williamson (Hawke), Brett Climo (Killing Time), Marco Chiappi (City Homicide), Oliver Ackland (The Slap) and Jessica De Geow (Crownies).

Producer Margot McDonald has produced several award-winning series including The Dunera Boys, Nancy Wake and The Real Macaw. AWGIE Award-winner Glen Dolman (Hawke) wrote the screenplay. Shawn Seet (Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer was Here, Slide, Rescue Special Ops) will direct the telemovie.