Latest news with #Goolagong
West Australian
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Aussie tennis great Evonne Goolagong immortalised on the small screen in new drama series for ABC
Cameras are rolling on a new ABC mini-series based on the inspiring true story of Aussie tennis legend, Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Playing the title role in the three-part series titled Goolagong is WAAPA graduate and proud Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar woman, Lila McGuire (The Twelve). 'Lila McGuire brings something truly special to the role of Evonne — we're excited for audiences to see her in this breakout role and to be moved by Evonne's inspiring story,' Werner Films Productions Producer, Joanna Werner, said. Joining her in lead roles are Marton Csokas (Asylum, Equalizer), Felix Mallard (Ginny and Georgia) and Luke Carroll (Scrublands). The series will tell the story of one of Australia's best known and most loved female sporting heroes, charting Goolagong Cawley's journey from the tiny NSW regional town of Barellan, to centre courts around the world as she became the world's number one-ranked female tennis player in the 1970s. 'Along the way, the obstacles will be immense,' an official release reads. 'At age 12, Evonne will leave behind her family to be coached by the imperious Vic Edwards (Csokas). 'While the on-court success that follows unites a nation, a deeply disturbing dynamic is playing out behind the scenes that will threaten to tear everything apart. 'And, when she falls deeply in love with Roger Cawley (Mallard), Evonne will have to decide whether to follow her heart or follow her career. Or, whether she can do both.' The series is directed by esteemed director Wayne Blair (Total Control) and executive produced by Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Roger Cawley. ABC Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine, said: 'This is the story of a true sporting trailblazer whose resilience, humility and grace created a legacy that continues to reverberate around the globe. With an exceptional creative team bringing this remarkable life to screen, Goolagong promises to be a landmark television event'. Goolagong will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2026.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Perth rising star cast for Evonne Goolagong miniseries
Cameras are rolling on a new ABC mini-series based on the inspiring true story of Aussie tennis legend, Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Playing the title role in the three-part series titled Goolagong is WAAPA graduate and proud Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar woman, Lila McGuire (The Twelve). 'Lila McGuire brings something truly special to the role of Evonne — we're excited for audiences to see her in this breakout role and to be moved by Evonne's inspiring story,' Werner Films Productions Producer, Joanna Werner, said. Joining her in lead roles are Marton Csokas (Asylum, Equalizer), Felix Mallard (Ginny and Georgia) and Luke Carroll (Scrublands). The series will tell the story of one of Australia's best known and most loved female sporting heroes, charting Goolagong Cawley's journey from the tiny NSW regional town of Barellan, to centre courts around the world as she became the world's number one-ranked female tennis player in the 1970s. 'Along the way, the obstacles will be immense,' an official release reads. 'At age 12, Evonne will leave behind her family to be coached by the imperious Vic Edwards (Csokas). 'While the on-court success that follows unites a nation, a deeply disturbing dynamic is playing out behind the scenes that will threaten to tear everything apart. 'And, when she falls deeply in love with Roger Cawley (Mallard), Evonne will have to decide whether to follow her heart or follow her career. Or, whether she can do both.' The series is directed by esteemed director Wayne Blair (Total Control) and executive produced by Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Roger Cawley. ABC Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine, said: 'This is the story of a true sporting trailblazer whose resilience, humility and grace created a legacy that continues to reverberate around the globe. With an exceptional creative team bringing this remarkable life to screen, Goolagong promises to be a landmark television event'. Goolagong will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2026.
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
ABC hoping for a smash return as it serves up Evonne Goolagong biopic
Filming is under way on a three-part biopic of Evonne Goolagong Cawley, the first Indigenous Australian to win a grand slam tournament. Goolagong, produced by Werner Film Productions (The Newsreader, Secret City) for the ABC, is being shot around Melbourne and in regional Victoria, with many famous matches of the 1970s and '80s, the period in which its subject rose to the top of the sport, being recreated. Goolagong Cawley, a Wiradjuri woman, won seven grand slam singles titles – the Australian Open (four times), Wimbledon (twice, including once as a mother in 1980) and the French Open – and seven doubles titles. In 1976 she was ranked the No.1 female player in the world. She retired from professional tennis in 1985. The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club – former home of the Australian Open – and Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club are being used as locations, while a replica of Wimbledon is being created on a vacant lot in Highett in Melbourne's southern suburbs. West Australian Lila McGuire, a Whadjuk and Wardandi Noongar woman, plays Goolagong, as she was known until her marriage in 1975 to British tennis player Roger Cawley. It is a major role for McGuire, a graduate of Perth's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, following her breakthrough appearance in the ensemble cast of season two of The Twelve. Marton Csokas plays Vic Edwards, who discovered Goolagong as a 12-year-old prodigy, became her coach and guardian and, Goolagong Cawley would later allege, made sexual advances towards her. The series boasts strong Indigenous credentials. Goolagong Cawley is an executive producer (along with her husband Roger Cawley), and Wayne Blair (Mystery Road, Total Control, The Sapphires) is director. The screenplay is co-written by Steven McGregor (Mystery Road: Origin, Sweet Country), with Megan Simpson Huberman. Danielle MacLean (Redfern Now, Little J & Big Cuz) is producer. According to the ABC, the story 'will take us from the tiny NSW regional town of Barellan, where an eager eight-year-old Aboriginal kid first peered through the cyclone wire fence of a tennis court, to the centre courts of the world'. 'Along the way, the obstacles will be immense. While the on-court success unites a nation, a deeply disturbing dynamic is playing out behind the scenes.'
The Age
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
ABC hoping for a smash return as it serves up Evonne Goolagong biopic
Filming is under way on a three-part biopic of Evonne Goolagong Cawley, the first Indigenous Australian to win a grand slam tournament. Goolagong, produced by Werner Film Productions (The Newsreader, Secret City) for the ABC, is being shot around Melbourne and in regional Victoria, with many famous matches of the 1970s and '80s, the period in which its subject rose to the top of the sport, being recreated. Goolagong Cawley, a Wiradjuri woman, won seven grand slam singles titles – the Australian Open (four times), Wimbledon (twice, including once as a mother in 1980) and the French Open – and seven doubles titles. In 1976 she was ranked the No.1 female player in the world. She retired from professional tennis in 1985. The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club – former home of the Australian Open – and Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club are being used as locations, while a replica of Wimbledon is being created on a vacant lot in Highett in Melbourne's southern suburbs. West Australian Lila McGuire, a Whadjuk and Wardandi Noongar woman, plays Goolagong, as she was known until her marriage in 1975 to British tennis player Roger Cawley. It is a major role for McGuire, a graduate of Perth's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, following her breakthrough appearance in the ensemble cast of season two of The Twelve. Marton Csokas plays Vic Edwards, who discovered Goolagong as a 12-year-old prodigy, became her coach and guardian and, Goolagong Cawley would later allege, made sexual advances towards her. The series boasts strong Indigenous credentials. Goolagong Cawley is an executive producer (along with her husband Roger Cawley), and Wayne Blair (Mystery Road, Total Control, The Sapphires) is director. The screenplay is co-written by Steven McGregor (Mystery Road: Origin, Sweet Country), with Megan Simpson Huberman. Danielle MacLean (Redfern Now, Little J & Big Cuz) is producer. According to the ABC, the story 'will take us from the tiny NSW regional town of Barellan, where an eager eight-year-old Aboriginal kid first peered through the cyclone wire fence of a tennis court, to the centre courts of the world'. 'Along the way, the obstacles will be immense. While the on-court success unites a nation, a deeply disturbing dynamic is playing out behind the scenes.'
