Foxtel to revisit Secret City

Danielle Cormack (left) and Anna Torv are reprising their roles in the Secret City sequel

Australian pay TV platform Foxtel has commissioned a sequel to a political thriller that deals with corruption in high places.

NBCUniversal-owned prodco Matchbox Pictures will produce Secret City: Under the Eagle (6×60’), the follow-up to Secret City, which aired on Foxtel’s drama channel showcase in 2016.

Produced by Stephen Corvini, the new series will focus on the Australia-US alliance and the US’s involvement in wars.

The inspiration was the farewell address by US President Dwight Eisenhower when he warned of the unwarranted influence of the country’s military-industrial complex and cautioned against squandering the US’s precious natural resources.

Matchbox Pictures’ Penny Chapman, executive producer, said Eisenhower’s “warning to the world, now even more relevant than ever, gave us the unsettling story we were looking for.”

Foxtel executive director of TV Brian Walsh added: “We are very proud of the first season, which enjoyed both critical and audience acclaim worldwide. This new story is absolutely captivating, with twists and turns that will keep audiences both guessing and riveted.”

Anna Torv, Jacki Weaver, Sacha Horler, Marcus Graham and Justin Smith reprise their roles, joined by Danielle Cormack and Rob Collins.

Shooting starts in Canberra at the end of this week, directed by Daniel Nettheim and Tony Krawitz, with Matt Cameron as the showrunner. NBCUniversal International Distribution will distribute worldwide.