800 Words
Australian television series
800 Words (stylised as 800 words) is a comedy-drama television series, co-produced by South Pacific Pictures and Seven Productions for the Seven Network.
Premise
George Turner is a popular columnist for a top-selling Sydney newspaper, writing a weekly column which he insists must be exactly 800 words. After his wife dies, he buys (online and unseen) a home in a (fictional) small New Zealand seaside town called Weld, where his parents took him on holiday as a child. He then has to break the news to his two teenage children, Shay and Arlo. But the colourful and inquisitive locals in Weld ensure Turner's dream of a fresh start does not go exactly to plan.
Cast
Main
Erik Thomson as George Turner
Melina Vidler as Shay Turner
Benson Jack Anthony as Arlo Turner
Rick Donald as Jeff "Woody" Woodson, an Australian expat builder who moved to Weld for the surf
Bridie Carter as Jan, George's former boss and editor in Sydney
Emma Leonard as Tracey Dennis, an Australian expat and Shay and Arlo's form teacher at Weld High School
Michelle Langstone as Fiona, the owner-operator of the Weld Boat Club and a volunteer ambulance driver
Anna Jullienne as Katie Bell, a part-Maori artist and owner of the Weld arts and crafts gallery
Cian Elyse White as Hannah, a surfer who works part-time at the Weld Boat Club and the local surf shop
Recurring
Jonathan Brugh as Monty McNamara, a real estate agent who sold George his new home in Weld and is a volunteer firefighter
Peter Elliott as Bill "Big Mac" McNamara, the financial kingpin of Weld and father to Bill Jr., Monty, and Robbie
Paul Glover as Bill McNamara Jr., father to Lindsay and Jared
Manon Blackman as Lindsay McNamara, Bill Jr.'s daughter.
Matt Holden as Jared McNamara, Bill Jr.'s son
Olivia Tennet as Siouxsie McNamara, Monty's daughter and secretary
John Leigh as Constable Tom, Weld's local police officer and photographer
Alex Tarrant as Ike, one of Zac's children and love interest of Shay
Reon Bell as Billy, Katie and Zac's son
Rob Kipa-Williams as Zac, Katie's ex-partner and father to Ike, Hannah, and Billy
Renee Lyons as Brenda, runs the supermarket
Jesse Griffin as Sean, works for the local council
Henry Beasley as Ollie, works at the petrol station, has a crush on Shay
David Fane as Smiler
Tandi Wright as Laura Turner (flashbacks), deceased wife of George and mother to Shay and Arlo
Elizabeth Hawthorne as Trish, Laura's mother
Peter Hayden as Roger, Laura's father
Jackie van Beek as Gloria (season 2), production manager of the local newspaper, News of the Weld
Millen Baird as Robert "Robbie" McNamara (season 2), Fiona's ex
Ditch Davey as Terry Turner (season 2), George's younger brother, a chef
Jamaica Vaughan as Emma (season 2), Fiona's niece and summer love interest of Arlo
Jessica Redmayne as Poppy (season 3), Woody's 16-year-old daughter
Rachael Carpani as Mary (season 3), Woody's ex and mother to Poppy
Miriama Smith as Ngahuia (season 3), Zac's ex and mother to Ike
Production
The series was first announced on 29 October 2014 with the Channel Seven 2015 highlights. The CEO of South Pacific Pictures, Kelly Martin said "Seven loved the scripts from the start and we're thrilled to have this project underway. It enables South Pacific Pictures to broaden our horizons and it'll open up some great opportunities for our local actors and crew." Of the series' tone, the Program Chief of Seven, Tim Ross stated, "If you think this show has a bit of the same feel and vibe as Packed to the Rafters, you're dead right—and we make no apologies for that." Filming for the series began on 2 March 2015.
On 19 October 2015, the Seven Network and South Pacific Pictures renewed the show for a second season.
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