''The Code'' is an Australian
drama
Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...
television program
A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via Terrestrial television, over-the-air, Satellite television, satellite, and cable te ...
created and
produced by Shelley Birse. Developed from a partnership between
Playmaker Media
Curio Pictures (formerly Playmaker Media) is an Australian-based television production company, which develops and produces scripted and unscripted television programs across multiple television channels in Australia. The company was formed by ...
and the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...
, it premiered on
ABC1
ABC TV, formerly known as ABC1, is an Australian national public television network. It is owned and operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and is the flagship (broadcasting), flagship ABC Television (Australian TV network), A ...
in Australia on 21 September 2014, and the first season aired through 26 October 2014. Season 2 of ''The Code'' premiered on 1 September 2016,
and aired through 6 October 2016.
The first six-part series, set in both
outback
The Outback is a remote, vast, sparsely populated area of Australia. The Outback is more remote than Australian bush, the bush. While often envisaged as being arid, the Outback regions extend from the northern to southern Australian coastli ...
and metropolitan areas of Australia, interweaves several plot lines. The first follows brothers Ned (
Dan Spielman) and Jesse Banks (
Ashley Zukerman
Ashley Zukerman is an American-born Australian actor. In Australia, he became known for playing Senior Constable Michael Sandrelli in the drama series ''Rush'' (2008), and Jesse Banks in the political thriller '' The Code'', for which he rece ...
), who publish a video of a mysterious outback accident, and Hani Parande (Adele Perovic), who becomes involved with them. The second follows the accident, which sees teacher Alex Wisham (
Lucy Lawless
Lucille Frances Lawless (; born 29 March 1968) is a New Zealand actress and director. She is best known for her roles as Xena in the television series ''Xena: Warrior Princess'', as Number Three (Battlestar Galactica), D'Anna Biers on the re-im ...
) and policeman Tim Simons (
Aaron Pedersen
Aaron Pedersen (born 24 November 1970) is an Aboriginal Australian television and film actor. He is known for many film and television roles, in particular as Detective Jay Swan in the film '' Mystery Road'' (2013), its sequel '' Goldstone'' (201 ...
) becoming involved in the personal affairs of accused teenager Clarence Boyd (
Aaron L. McGrath). The third covers Ned's journalism office, managed by Perry Benson (
Adam Garcia
Adam Garcia is an Australian actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as '' Saturday Night Fever'' and '' Kiss Me, Kate''. He is also a trained tap dancer and singer. Garcia has been nominated twice at the Laurence Olivier Award ...
). The fourth chronicles the intrigues of Deputy Prime Minister Ian Bradley (
David Wenham
David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in film, television and theatre. He is known for his roles as Faramir in The Lord of the Rings (film series), ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy, Friar Carl in ' ...
), and political staffers Randall Keats (
Aden Young
Aden Young (born 30 November 1971) is a Canadian-Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Daniel Holden in the SundanceTV drama '' Rectify'', for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor ...
) and Sophie Walsh (
Chelsie Preston Crayford
Chelsie Florence Preston Crayford (born 1987), sometimes credited as Chelsie Florence, is a New Zealand actress.
Early life
Preston Crayford was born in Wellington to film maker Gaylene Preston and musician Jonathan Crayford. Apart from appeari ...
) while the after-effects of the accident unfold.
ABC in June 2015 renewed ''The Code'' for a second season, after receiving significant funding from the
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938, is an internal States and territories of Australia, territory of Australia. Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is situated within the territory, an ...
's film fund, Screen ACT. The new series that commenced screening in 2016, deals with fictional brothers Ned and Jesse Banks facing deportation to the
United States of America
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguo ...
to face trial in connection with security breaches.
Anthony LaPaglia
Anthony LaPaglia (, ; born 31 January 1959) is an Australian actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen he has received several accolades including three AACTA Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award.
For his starring role as Jac ...
,
Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Madeline Thornton (born 12 February 1959) is an Australian film and television actress. Her television work includes ''Prisoner'' (1979–80), '' All the Rivers Run'' (1983), '' SeaChange'' (1998–2019) and '' Wentworth'' (2016–2018) ...
,
Robyn Malcolm
Robyn Jane Malcolm (born 1965) is a New Zealand actress, who first gained recognition for her role as nurse Ellen Crozier on the soap opera ''Shortland Street''. She is best known for playing Cheryl West, matriarch to a sometimes criminal wor ...
, and others joined the cast for the second series.
[
]
Synopsis
Series 1: A stolen vehicle collides with a transport truck in the middle of the desert. Two Aboriginal teenagers in the car are critically injured but nobody called for help because someone involved works for a major stakeholder in a secret research project. The accident would have remained a mystery if it had not been for Ned Banks, a young internet journalist desperate for a break, and his brother Jesse Banks, a hacker on a strict good behaviour bond.
Series 2: Two Australians are murdered in West Papua, the only survivor being Jan Roth, the fugitive founder of a "dark web" site, who is being chased by both Australian and US authorities. At the same time, a young boy is kidnapped in Australia by someone offering to sell him to paedophiles through the same site. The Australian Federal Police contacts the Banks brothers and informs them that the US authorities have demanded their extradition to the US for their previous actions, but if Jesse helps the police find the boy, the government will resist the extradition demands. Jesse agrees, but soon finds that the truth is very different.
Cast
Main
* Dan Spielman as Ned Banks, journalist at ''Password''
* Ashley Zukerman
Ashley Zukerman is an American-born Australian actor. In Australia, he became known for playing Senior Constable Michael Sandrelli in the drama series ''Rush'' (2008), and Jesse Banks in the political thriller '' The Code'', for which he rece ...
as Jesse Banks, Ned's brother
* Adele Perovic as Hani Parande, student and hacktivist who befriends Jesse
Series 1
* Adam Garcia
Adam Garcia is an Australian actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as '' Saturday Night Fever'' and '' Kiss Me, Kate''. He is also a trained tap dancer and singer. Garcia has been nominated twice at the Laurence Olivier Award ...
as Perry Benson, chief editor of internet news journal, ''Password''
* Chelsie Preston Crayford
Chelsie Florence Preston Crayford (born 1987), sometimes credited as Chelsie Florence, is a New Zealand actress.
Early life
Preston Crayford was born in Wellington to film maker Gaylene Preston and musician Jonathan Crayford. Apart from appeari ...
as Sophie Walsh, director of communications at PM's office
* Paul Tassone
Paul Tassone (born 27 October 1969) is an Australian actor most known for his work as Nelson Curtis on '' All Saints'', an Australian hospital drama. In late 2007–2008, he played a reverend who turned out to be a violent stalker as a result o ...
as Andy King, head of security at Physanto
* Dan Wyllie as Lyndon Joyce, AFP investigator
* Lucy Lawless
Lucille Frances Lawless (; born 29 March 1968) is a New Zealand actress and director. She is best known for her roles as Xena in the television series ''Xena: Warrior Princess'', as Number Three (Battlestar Galactica), D'Anna Biers on the re-im ...
as Alex Wisham, schoolteacher at Lindara
* Aden Young
Aden Young (born 30 November 1971) is a Canadian-Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Daniel Holden in the SundanceTV drama '' Rectify'', for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor ...
as Randall Keats, Chief of Staff, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
* David Wenham
David Wenham (born 21 September 1965) is an Australian actor who has appeared in film, television and theatre. He is known for his roles as Faramir in The Lord of the Rings (film series), ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy, Friar Carl in ' ...
as Ian Bradley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Series 2
* Anthony LaPaglia
Anthony LaPaglia (, ; born 31 January 1959) is an Australian actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen he has received several accolades including three AACTA Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award.
For his starring role as Jac ...
as Jan Roth, fugitive hacker living in West Papua
* Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Madeline Thornton (born 12 February 1959) is an Australian film and television actress. Her television work includes ''Prisoner'' (1979–80), '' All the Rivers Run'' (1983), '' SeaChange'' (1998–2019) and '' Wentworth'' (2016–2018) ...
as Lara Dixon, head of the government's cyber ops unit
* Robyn Malcolm
Robyn Jane Malcolm (born 1965) is a New Zealand actress, who first gained recognition for her role as nurse Ellen Crozier on the soap opera ''Shortland Street''. She is best known for playing Cheryl West, matriarch to a sometimes criminal wor ...
as Marina Baxter, Minister for Foreign Affairs
* Geoff Morrell as David Banks, Ned and Jesse's estranged father
* Ben Oxenbould
Ben Oxenbould is an Australian actor and comedian. His brother Jamie Oxenbould is also an actor, as is Jamie's son, Ed Oxenbould.
Early career
He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School. In 1980, Oxenbould was cast as "Hubert 'Fatty' F ...
as Nolan Daniels, senior AFP agent
* Ella Scott Lynch
Ella Scott Lynch is an Australian actress. Her notable roles include as lawyer Erin O'Shaughnessy in ''Crownies'' and its sequel '' Janet King'', Shirley Ryan in the series '' Love Child'', and Melbourne gangland barrister Nicola Gobbo in the C ...
as Meg Flynn, a photographer and activist for West Papuan independence
Recurring
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
* David Roberts as Peter Lawson, political journalist, ''National News Australia'' (series 1)
* May Lloyd as Isabelle Banks, mother of Ned and Jesse (series 1)
* Steen Raskopoulos
Steen Raskopoulos (born 3 July 1987) is an Australian comedian, actor and improviser. He is best known for his live character solo sketch shows, playing Nick Fletcher in ''The Office'' (Australia), playing Dr. Evan in '' The Duchess'' (Netfli ...
as Edan, editorial staff member at ''Password'' (series 1)
* Zindzi Okenyo as Millie Hussey, journalist at ''Password'' (series 1)
* Sophie Gregg as Trina Daniels, data encryption technician at Physanto (series 1)
* Erik Thomson
Erik Thomson is a Scottish-born New Zealand-Australian actor. He is known for playing Hades in the television series '' Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'', '' Xena Warrior Princess'' and '' Young Hercules'', Dr. Mitch Stevens in '' All Saints' ...
as Niko Gaelle, international black marketeer in arms and stolen IP (series 1)
* Victoria Haralabidou as Alila Parande, Hani's mother (series 1 and 2)
* Michael Denkha as Nasim Parande, Hani's father, bio-tech engineer (series 1 and 2)
* Nathan Lovejoy as Will Sharp, Marina Baxter's Chief of Staff (series 2)
* Steve Rodgers as Malcolm Coover, head of AFP Cyber Crime Unit (series 1)
* Lindsay Farris as Dean Carson, AFP Cyber Crime Unit interrogator (series 1)
* Kelvin Shone as local policeman at Parliament House (series 1)
* Guy Edmonds as Gary Hunter/Youngblood, operator of the paedophile forum on the UndaCounta site (series 2)
* Otis Pavlovic as Callum McCray, abducted teenage boy (series 2)
* Sandy Winton
Alexander Gordon WintonNewington College Register of Past Students 1863–1998 (Syd, 1999) pp 218 (born 18 December 1970) is an Australian actor. From 2010 to 2012, he portrayed Michael Williams in the soap opera ''Neighbours''.
Career
Winton ...
as Michael McCray, Callum's father (series 2)
* Liz Harper as Courtney McCray, Callum's mother (series 2)
* Stephanie King as Erin Jennings, Ned's ex-girlfriend and contact at Parliament House (series 2)
* Arka Das as Farid (series 1)
Lindara, New South Wales
* Aaron L. McGrath as Clarence Boyd, driver of the stolen car
* Aaron Pedersen
Aaron Pedersen (born 24 November 1970) is an Aboriginal Australian television and film actor. He is known for many film and television roles, in particular as Detective Jay Swan in the film '' Mystery Road'' (2013), its sequel '' Goldstone'' (201 ...
as Tim Simons, local policeman at Lindara
* Ursula Yovich as Kitty Boyd, Clarence's mother
* Mitzi Ruhlmann as Missy Wisham, Alex's daughter
* Madeleine Madden as Sheyna Smith, the passenger in the car
* Tim McCunn as Carl Smith, Sheyna's father
* Lisa Flanagan
Lisa Flanagan is an Aboriginal Australian actress, known for her roles on stage and in television and film. Film roles include her debut movie ''Australian Rules (film), Australian Rules'' and ''Look Both Ways (2005 film), Look Both Ways'', whil ...
as Eadie Smith, Sheyna's mother
West Papua
* William Ani as Marcus Komblan, leader of the West Papuan independence movement
* Emele Ugavule as Kiki Gangi-Roth, Jan Roth's wife
* Annabelle Malaika Süess as Tahila Gangi-Roth, Jan Roth's daughter
Episodes
Series 1 (2014)
Series 2 (2016)
Production and filming
The fictional town of Lindara was filmed in Broken Hill
Broken Hill is a city in the Far West (New South Wales), far west region of outback New South Wales, Australia. An inland mining city, it is near the border with South Australia on the crossing of the Barrier Highway (A32) and the Silver City Hi ...
, Silverton in New South Wales
New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...
, and Cockburn in South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...
. The main street and post office of Cockburn doubles as the main street and school in Lindara, while the houses of the Lindara families were filmed in Silverton.
Parts of Canberra
Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...
were used for filming, including the Australian Parliament House, the surrounds of Lake Burley Griffin
Lake Burley Griffin is an artificial lake in the centre of Canberra, the capital of Australia. It was created in 1963 by the damming of the Molonglo River, which formerly ran between the city centre and Parliamentary Triangle. The lake is na ...
, and parts of the Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public university, public research university and member of the Group of Eight (Australian universities), Group of Eight, located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton, A ...
Acton campus, including the John Curtin School of Medical Research and the Shine Dome.
Broadcast
The first series was acquired by BBC Four
BBC Four is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002 in the United Kingdom in April 2014, and premiered on 11 October 2014, less than three weeks after the Australian premiere. Because it aired as back-to-back episodes over three weeks, the final episode aired first in the UK on 25 October, over twelve hours ahead of its first Australian broadcast 26 October. The first series was also broadcast on DirecTV
DirecTV, LLC is an American Multichannel television in the United States, multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital Satellite television, s ...
's Audience Network
Audience Network (formerly known as Freeview from 1999 until 2005, and as The 101 Network from 2005 until 2011) was an American pay television channel that was owned by AT&T. It featured a mix of original and acquired series, specials, and featur ...
in the US, and ARTV
Ici ARTV (stylized as ICI artv) is a Canadian French language specialty channel owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (known in French as Société Radio-Canada). The channel broadcasts the arts and culture including music, dance, theatr ...
in Canada.
Awards and nominations
References
External links
The Code: ABC TV
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Code (Australian TV series), The
2014 Australian television series debuts
APRA Award winners
Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
Australian English-language television shows
Television shows set in Australian Capital Territory
Television shows set in Indonesia
Television series by Playmaker Media
Political thriller television series
Australian political drama television series