Ten has finally announced the cast for one of it’s most anticipated shows Brock.
Taking on the role of one of Australia’s biggest sporting legends Peter Brock is Matthew Le Nevez.
Matthew, best known for his role as Dr. Patrick Reid in the multi-award winning drama Offspring, is no stranger to portraying real-life individuals. Having appeared as Matthew Wales in the critically acclaimed The Society Murders, Australian cricket legend Dennis Lillee in Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War and Damien Parer in Parer’s War,
Matthew’s experience playing some of Australia’s most notorious and popular characters makes him perfect for the role of the enigmatic Brock.
“It’s a privilege to be involved in the Brock project. Growing up as a kid, I watched Peter conquer the mountain many times and now to be playing him, I am extremely excited. I hope to honour the man, his family, and his legacy. He is an Aussie icon like no other.” Matthew said .
Other cast confirmed for the project are Ella Scott Lynch, Steve Bisley and Natalie Bassingthwaite.
Ella, who has starred in Home and Away, All Saints, Janet King and Love Child, will play Bev Brock, Brock’s partner of more than 28 years and mother of his two children, Robert and Alexandra.
Steve, whose many television credits include Sea Patrol, Water Rats and Police Rescue, takes on the role of Brock’s friend and team manager, Harry Firth, who first recruited Brock to drive in the Holden Driving Team in 1969 and three years later saw Brock win the first of his nine Bathurst 500/1000 crowns.
Familiar to Australians for her work in Neighbours and Underbelly: The Golden Mile, as well as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance Australia and The X Factor Australia, Natalie will play Julie Bamford, Brock’s girlfriend when he died.
Brock is the true story of a man who was a hero to generations of Australians, winning the Bathurst 500/1000 an incredible nine times and dominating motorsport for more than two decades. But The King of The Mountain was also a complex man.
Network Ten Head of Drama, Rick Maier, said: “This is the true story of one of our favourite sons. Peter Brock. Legend. A man who was a hero to a generation of Australians. He was loved and admired by many, but few knew the real Peter Brock. “He made his name on the track, winning Bathurst 500/1000 nine times, but it was his life off the track that earned him the nickname ‘Not so Perfect Peter’. He was complex, troubled and full of self-doubt. An enigma. He was also a champion. “Attention to detail on Brock has been second to none and now, with this brilliant cast attached, this production is ready to hit the track,” he said.
Endemol Shine Australia CEO, Mark Fennessy, said: “We’re extremely proud to confirm such an extraordinary and talented cast for this profound and unique Australian story. This really is big event television at its very best.”
Production on Brock will commence shortly and be aired on Ten in 2016.
