Paramount+ unveils ‘Playing Gracie Darling’: A gripping new mystery drama

Paramount+ has announced an exciting new addition to its streaming lineup: Playing Gracie Darling, a six-part mystery drama that delves into the eerie aftermath of a young girl’s sudden disappearance. Created and written by Miranda Nation, known for her work on “Undertow,” and directed by Jonathan Brough, this series promises to captivate audiences with its blend of supernatural elements, coming-of-age themes, and crime thriller intensity.

The haunting premise

The story begins with a chilling event: when Joni was just 14, her best friend Gracie Darling vanished during a séance. Fast forward 27 years, and the local kids in their small town have turned Gracie’s disappearance into a game called ‘Playing Gracie Darling.’ What starts as a seemingly innocent pastime takes a dark turn when another girl goes missing. Joni, now a child psychologist, returns to her hometown to uncover the truth, teaming up with police sergeant Jay. Meanwhile, Gracie’s sister Ruth faces her worst nightmare as her own daughter disappears under eerily similar circumstances.

Stellar cast and crew

The series boasts a talented cast, including Morgana O’Reilly (“The White Lotus” S3, “Friends Like Her”) as Joni, Rudi Dharmalingam (“Wakefield,” “The Lazarus Project”) as Jay, and Celia Pacquola (“Rosehaven,” “Love Me”), Annie Maynard (“Upper Middle Bogan,” “Colin From Accounts”), and Anne Tenney (“The Castle,” “A Country Practice”) in supporting roles.

Playing Gracie Darling is executive produced by Curio’s Jo Porter and Rachel Gardner, Sophia Mogford for Paramount+, and Nation. Laura Nagy joins as associate producer, with additional scripts penned by Anya Beyersdorf (“FAKE”). The series is distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Television.

Production and support

The series has received significant production investment from Screen Australia and additional financing and support from Screen NSW through its Made in NSW fund. This backing ensures that the series will create numerous full-time jobs for local cast and crew in New South Wales, with filming set to take place in Sydney and regional areas.

Kyas Hepworth, head of Screen NSW, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Miranda Nation has expertly blended the supernatural, coming-of-age, and crime thriller genres in ‘Playing Gracie Darling,’ which is sure to be an engrossing and enthralling drama.”

Louise Gough appointed as director of narrative content at Screen Australia

In other industry news, Screen Australia has appointed Louise Gough as its new director of narrative content. Gough, who previously served as head of development at Screen Australia from 2021 to 2023, will begin her new role on September 30. Reporting directly to chief operating officer Grainne Brunsdon, Gough brings a wealth of experience from her 30-year career spanning broadcast, production, funding bodies, and theatre environments. Most recently, she was the executive producer for Samantha Strauss’ “Picking Scabs,” a collaborative venture with See-Saw Films.

Celebrating cinema: National Cinema Day in India

The Multiplex Association of India and various cinema operators have designated Friday as the third National Cinema Day, a celebration of the theatrical experience. On this day, ticket prices are reduced to INR99 ($1.18), making it an affordable outing for movie enthusiasts. Approximately 4,000 cinemas, including chains like PVR Inox, Cinepolis, Miraj, Citypride, Asian, Mukta A2, Movie Time, Wave, Moviemax, M2k, and Delite, will participate in the event.

Films expected to be on release that day include Transformers One, Never Let Go, Yudhra, Stree 2, Tumbbad, Veer Zaara, Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam, and The Buckingham Murders.

Personal reflections for cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts

As a lover of cinema and TV series, the announcement of Playing Gracie Darling is particularly thrilling. The blend of supernatural elements with a gripping mystery is a formula that has always captivated audiences. The premise of a childhood game turning sinister adds a layer of psychological intrigue that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

For those who enjoy diving deep into character-driven narratives, the return of Joni to her hometown and her partnership with Jay offers a rich exploration of past traumas and the quest for truth. The involvement of a talented cast and crew further elevates the anticipation for this series.

On the music front, the celebration of National Cinema Day in India is a reminder of the communal joy that cinema brings. The reduced ticket prices make it accessible for more people to experience the magic of the big screen, and the diverse lineup of films ensures there’s something for everyone.

For more information and to watch the trailers, visit the following links: