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Extraordinary True Story Of Erin Patterson & The Deadly Poisonous Mushrooms To Be Told In ABC Australia Drama Series
EXCLUSIVE: The extraordinary true story of Erin Patterson, who stands accused of murdering her guests with poisonous mushrooms, is being turned into a TV drama for Australia's ABC.
Toxic will follow the twists and turns of a high-profile murder investigation of intrigue that has generated headlines around the world. Elise McCredie (Jack Irish) and Tony Ayres (The Survivors) are creating the series and Ayres' Universal International Studios-backed indie will produce. Described as an 'intricate series that explores the events and characters of this true-life story without judgement,' the show will involve multiple timelines and numerous perspectives.
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Patterson was charged with multiple counts of murder after three of her guests died and a fourth spent months in hospital following a lunch where she served them beef wellington that contained the toxic 'Death Cap' mushroom.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty and has always maintained that the incident was a horrible, tragic accident, and the new show announcement comes with the defendant back in the press as the jury in her murder trial deliberates. Earlier this week, the ABC spoke to people who have effectively put their lives on hold in order to spend every day at the months-long trial.
The barely believable story has amassed mega press interest due to more than a dollop of intrigue around what appears to have been an intense family feud, and it has felt only a matter of time before the events were re-told via TV drama.
Working closely with ABC journalist and podcaster Rachael Brown, Tony Ayres Productions is developing the series for the ABC.
Ayres said: 'True stories ask storytellers to probe the complexities of human behaviour. What really lies beneath the headlines? It's both a challenge and a responsibility to go beyond the surface – to reveal, not just sensationalise.'
McCredie described the events as a 'tangled, heart-breaking story.' 'Sitting in on the trial, watching evidence unfurl, change direction, and reposition itself has been an exercise in the subjectivity of 'truth' and a blueprint for a dramatic retelling that explores multiple perspectives in an honest and compelling way,' she added.
Toxic will be produced by Tony Ayres Productions (The Survivors, Fires, Clickbait, Stateless), which is backed by Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Casting is incoming soon. All eyes turn to who will play Patterson.
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