Cleverman cast and crew over the moon for Peabody Award nomination

Australian TV series Cleverman is one of 60 finalists in line for a prestigious Peabody Award.

Cleverman promo

Cleverman features several Indigenous actors and has attracted global attention, airing in the US and UK. Source: ABC Australia

Cleverman was included as a finalist in the Entertainment section of the US awards honouring compelling and empowering stories in electronic media.

The ABC Aboriginal drama has been nominated alongside works including Beyonce's visual album Lemonade, Netflix show Stranger Things, and Donald Glover's Golden Globe Award-winning series Atlanta.

The six-part series was created by Indigenous Australian producer Ryan Griffen and is a science-fiction show based on Aboriginal mythology.
Cleverman
Ryan Griffen, the mind behind hit TV series Cleverman. Source: Supplied
Griffen, told NITV News he felt incredibly honoured when he heard about the nomination.

“To think that Cleverman would be nominated for such an important international award, alongside shows such as Stranger Things, The Night Of and Beyonce’s Lemonade visual album, is beyond my wildest dreams. I couldn’t be more proud,” he said.

Actor Rob Collins, echoed this sentiment.
“I'm so proud of this show. The Peabody nomination is incredibly exciting, and further confirms what the Cleverman cast and crew have felt all along - that we've made something really special that has not only lifted our mob at home, but punches well above its weight abroad.”

Mr Griffen said when he came up with Cleverman, his intention was to lift Indigenous culture and inspire the younger generations.

“When I first began developing the idea of Cleverman several years ago, my ambition was to create an Aboriginal superhero for my son and to place Aboriginal culture in mainstream popular culture.”
Rob Collins
Darwin-born Rob Collins. Source: Rob Collins
Cleverman also features stars Deborah Mailman, Game of Thrones' Iain Glen and Bran Nue Dae actor Hunter Page-Lochard.

The 60 Peabody finalists will be whittled down to 30 winners. The gala will be hosted by actress Rashida Jones in New York on May 20.

The first Peabody Award ceremony was held in 1941 to honour storytelling on radio, but soon expanded to include TV. Last year, the awards were opened up to include entries from the web. 

The producers are currently in New Zealand finalising series 2.

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Published 7 April 2017 12:58pm
By Claudianna Blanco
Source: NITV News, AAP


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