Devil’s Dust

8:30pm – Sunday, November 11 on ABC1

An intensely personal drama based on one of Australia’s most shocking corporate scandals, Devil’s Dust tells the story of ordinary Australians caught in a web of deception in the James Hardie asbestos saga.

The two-part series follows four people – everyday hero and ex-Hardie’s employee Bernie Banton (Anthony Hayes), Bernie’s loyal wife Karen (Alexandra Schepisi), tenacious ABC journalist Matt Peacock (Ewen Leslie) and the fictional character of Hardie spin doctor Adam Bourke (Don Hany) – thrown together by a tragedy that becomes a high-stakes battle through the corridors of corporate, political and media power.

Spanning four decades, Devil’s Dust shows industrial manufacturer James Hardie first cover up its knowledge of the dangers of its asbestos mining and products and then threaten compensation plans by moving the company overseas.

But it is not just a story of court cases and corporate legalese. Devil’s Dust depicts Australians from all walks of life whose lives are ripped apart by a deadly dust that looks so innocent, yet is so lethal.

Based on interviews with those who have survived and the stories of those who have died, Devil’s Dust is inspired by the work of Matt Peacock, author of the book Killer Company.

The legacy of asbestos will continue for decades to come. By 2030, asbestos-related illnesses are expected to have killed more than 60,000 Australians, more than our country’s death toll in WW1.

Part Two will screen on Monday 12 November at 8.30pm on ABC1.

Three of Australia’s finest actors, Don Hany, Anthony Hayes and Ewen Leslie will star in Devil’s Dust, ABC TV’s two-part mini-series detailing the remarkable story of the James Hardie asbestos tragedy.

Produced by FremantleMedia Australia (FMA), Devil’s Dust, which is based on the book “Killer Company” written by ABC journalist Matt Peacock, will begin production March 19 in Sydney.

Don Hany (Offspring, East West 101, Dirt Game) is Adam Bourke, a character forced to question his morality, as he becomes aware one of Australia’s most successful and respected companies has made a product that may cause the death of thousands of people.

Anthony Hayes (The Slap, Changi, Look Both Ways) is Bernie Banton, the courageous and quick-witted James Hardie worker who battled for compensation for all asbestos victims. As he witnessed his workmates and brother die of asbestos disease, he continued the battle, even though he ultimately faced his own asbestos fate.

Ewen Leslie (Mabo, Sleeping Beauty, Three Blind Mice) is Matt Peacock, the ABC journalist who reveals evidence of the link between asbestos and cancer, and then devotes his career to exposing the shocking truth and bringing justice to victims.

Devil’s Dust is the intensely personal story of three very different men whose lives and careers are bound together by a tragedy that becomes a scandal, and then a fast-moving battle through the corridors of corporate, political and media power. At the heart of the story are the 60,000 Australians likely to die of asbestos disease by 2030.

ABC TV Head of Fiction, Carole Sklan says, “This is a powerful, inspiring drama which has attracted an outstanding cast and creative team. ABC TV is proud to present the human story at the heart of this on-going national tragedy.”

FremantleMedia Australia and Asia Pacific CEO, Ian Hogg, says “Devil’s Dust is a powerful story of greed, subterfuge and perseverance. It’s a story that will resonate ever so strongly with all Australians. Our Creative Director, Jason Stephens / Bravado has been instrumental in bringing the project to the small screen.”