The Newsreader (2021)
An acclaimed Australian drama set in a 1986 newsroom, where ambition, identity, and history collide in unforgettable ways.
The Newsreader - Series Information
- Original Title: The Newsreader
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Michael Lucas
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: August 15, 2021 (United States - TV-MA), August 15, 2021 (Australia - M), August 15, 2021 (Spain - 16), August 15, 2021 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: ABC TV
- Alternative Titles: Ведущие новостей (RU)
- Production Companies: Werner Film Productions
- Production Countries: Australia
The Newsreader - Plot
An unconventional relationship in a world on the cusp of change; a star newsreader and an ambitious bisexual reporter join forces in a ruthless 1986 newsroom, as events unfold that will change their lives.
The Newsreader - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the drama unfolding inside the 1986 newsroom.
The end of an era.
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The Newsreader - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Michael Lucas
Main Cast
- Anna Torv
- Sam Reid
- William McInnes
- Michelle Lim Davidson
- Marg Downey
- Chum Ehelepola
- Stephen Peacocke
- Philippa Northeast
- Robert Taylor
- Caroline Lee
Writers
- Michael Lucas
- Niki Aken
- Adrian Russell Wills
- Kim Ho
- Jonathan Gavin
Executive Producers
- Joanna Werner
- Brett Sleigh
- Sally Riley
- Stuart Menzies
The Newsreader - FAQs
Where can you stream The Newsreader?
The Newsreader is available to stream on AMC+, including through the AMC+ Apple TV Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, and AMC+ Roku Premium Channel. It's also available on Philo and Spectrum On Demand, giving viewers several convenient options to watch the series.
Is The Newsreader based on a true story?
The Newsreader is a fictional drama, though it's richly grounded in the real atmosphere of Australian television journalism in the 1980s. Creator Michael Lucas drew on the era's cultural and political landscape — including the Challenger disaster and Chernobyl — to give the story an authentic historical texture.
Who plays Helen Norville and Dale Jennings?
Anna Torv brings the formidable star newsreader Helen Norville to life with magnetic intensity, while Sam Reid plays Dale Jennings, the ambitious bisexual reporter whose relationship with Helen drives the heart of the series. Their on-screen chemistry is widely regarded as one of the show's greatest strengths.
How many seasons does The Newsreader have?
The Newsreader ran for three seasons, each consisting of six episodes, for a total of 18 episodes. The series concluded in 2025, bringing the story of Helen Norville and Dale Jennings to a complete and deliberate close.
What is The Newsreader about?
Set in a cutthroat 1986 Australian newsroom, the series follows the unlikely alliance between a glamorous but guarded star newsreader and an openly bisexual junior reporter. Against a backdrop of seismic world events, they navigate ambition, identity, and a relationship that defies the era's conventions.
Is The Newsreader worth watching?
Absolutely. The Newsreader has earned widespread critical praise for its sharp writing, meticulous period detail, and outstanding performances — particularly from Anna Torv and Sam Reid. It's a rare drama that balances personal intimacy with historical sweep, making it compelling viewing for fans of character-driven storytelling.
What year is The Newsreader set in?
The series is set primarily in 1986, a year defined by landmark global events including the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The show uses these real historical moments as a dramatic backdrop, weaving them into the personal and professional lives of its characters.
What are shows similar to The Newsreader?
If you enjoyed The Newsreader, Fellow Travelers (2023) offers a similarly compelling blend of queer identity and historical drama. Grace and Frankie (2015) and Becoming Karl Lagerfeld (2024) are also worth exploring, as are Love, Victor (2020) and Cucumber (2015) for their thoughtful LGBTQ+ storytelling.
More About The Newsreader
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