From Variety:
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Rachel Griffiths has been cast as the lead in “Madam,” a new dramedy series about an escort agency.
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Griffiths, best known for her roles in “Six Feet Under” and “Brothers & Sisters,” stars as McKenzie ‘Mack’ Leigh, who sets up an ethical brothel in New Zealand after her philandering husband and mountain of debt leave her struggling to provide for her family.
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Joining Griffiths on the show are Rima Te Wiata (“The Wheel of Time”), Danielle Cormack (“Wentworth”), Robbie Magasiva (“Bad Behaviour”), Martin Henderson (“Virgin River”) and newcomer Ariāna Osborne.
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The series, which started shooting on location this week, is based on Antonia Murphy’s unpublished memoir about an American woman who opened an ethical escort agency in New Zealand after the country decriminalized sex work. Murphy’s company aimed to protect women’s rights, well-being and financial independence.
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Showrunners are Shoshana McCallum (“Inside”) and Harry McNaughton (“The Pact”) while Kacie Anning (“Class of ’07”) and Madeleine Sami (“Gold Diggers”) direct.
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“Madam” is produced by Tavake and XYZ Films for Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ and Fifth Season, who will also distribute the show internationally. In New Zealand it is set to air on local streamer ThreeNow and corresponding network Three.
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Stay tuned for more details…
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