Written by Liz Shackleton, Deadline
Netflix, See-Saw Films and Picking Scabs are coming together to produce Apple Cider Vinegar, a limited Australian series about health and wellness scammers, set to star Kaitlyn Dever, Alycia Debnam-Carey and Aisha Dee.
The series is created by award-winning Australian writer Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers), who set up Picking Scabs in partnership with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman’s See-Saw Films.
Strauss is also co-writing with Anya Beyersdorf and Angela Betzien. Jeffrey Walker (The Artful Dodger, Modern Family) is set to direct.
The series is understood to be inspired by the life of disgraced Australian wellness guru Belle Gibson, who had a huge following on social media where she claimed to be suffering from cancer but keeping the illness in check through health and wellness remedies. She later confessed that none of it was true.
Production will take place on location in Melbourne, Australia with support from VicScreen through its Victorian Production Fund.
Dever’s credits include Dopesick and Unbelievable; while Debnam-Carey is known for The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart and Fear The Walking Dead; and Aisha Dee for The Bold Type and Safe Home. The cast also includes Tilda Cobham-Hervey (The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart), Ashley Zukerman (Succession) and Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin).
Yvonne Collins will produce with executive producers including See-Saw Films’ Liz Watts, Helen Gregory, Sherman and Canning; Picking Scabs’ Strauss and Louise Gough; and Kaitlyn Dever. See-Saw Films’ Libby Sharpe is on board as co-producer and co-executive producers include Walker and See-Saw Films’ Simon Gillis.
Executive Producers Watts and Gough said: “Samantha Strauss has created a series that is searing in its comment but entertaining at its very core. It’s complex, it’s got bounce and it’s got bite, and we love it. We have a brilliant creative team under the fine leadership of director Jeffrey Walker and one of the best cast ensembles in an Australian production. This is a Melbourne story with a global reach.”
Sherman and Canning added: “We are delighted to announce Apple Cider Vinegar as the first production through Picking Scabs, See-Saw’s label with Samantha Strauss. Sam is an exceptional and rare talent, and we have an incredibly exciting upcoming slate. Thank you to VicScreen for their support, and our thanks to Netflix who are the perfect partner to take this story to the world.”
DP: Toby Oliver, ACS
