The story of Graham Kennedy

Slated for air mid-2007 the 2.1 million dollar television project will broadcast exclusively on TV1 on FOXTEL DIGITAL and AUSTAR DIGITAL, The KING, (the story of Graham Kennedy) will start filming in Melbourne this coming December 4, 2006. An outstanding cast has been assembled to portray the life of Australias first and greatest homegrown TV superstars. Tracing his rise and rise, from working class kid, through radio, TV, film and back to TV again. The KING is not just about a man - its also about the story of the birth of television, a cultural phenomenon that has helped define a nation, and make us who were are today.

The cast are listed below with more to come:
Stephen Curry as Graham Kennedy - The King - He reigned supreme and dominated the first 20 years of Australian television!

Stephen Currys credits include Thunderstruck, The Castle, The Secret Life of Us and Changi.

Garry McDonald as Nicky Whitta -the biggest radio personality in Australia during the 1950s and Grahams first mentor.
Garry McDonalds credits include: Moulin Rouge, Rabbit Proof Fence and Blackjack.

When asked about his role and memories of Kennedy, McDonald said: "I think the writers have done a great job. The script is a very brave, fascinating and honest portrayal of this amazing man. I enjoyed the script so much and very much and I really wanted to be a part of this great project I knew that Graham prepared his seemingly impromptu gags on IMT down to a fine art...but theres something in the script that is a fantastic moment I didnt think anyone could prepare for - it worked and it was LIVE across Australia..." Shaun Micallef as Colin Bednall - GTV9s station manager who during the early days of television was a great supporter and champion of Kennedy.
Sean Micallefs credits include: The Micalleft Program, Full Frontal, Seachange and Jimeon.

Steve Bisley as Harry M Miller - Australias only celebrity manager who steered Grahams career from local celebrity to national super-star.
Steve Bisley credits include: Homicide, Matlock Police, Blue Heelers and MDA.

Stephen Hall as Bert Newton - Newton and Kennedy created pure television magic together and millions tuned to watch this winning duo.
Stephen Halls credits include In Melbourne Tonight 1997/1998 version, Backberner, Comedy Inc and won the lot as contestant of Nines Temptation in 2005.

Jane Allsop as Noeline Browne -a long time television colleague and long time friend.
Jane Allsopss credits include: Blue Heelers, Last Man Standing and Hallifax FP III

Beau Brady as Tim GTV9 dancer- both Kennedy and Tim shared lots of laughs and a love for musical theatre.
Beau Bradys credits include: Home and Away, Knock Knock and Breakers.

Monica Maughan as Nan - who in the absence of parental figures in Grahams early years was very much a mother figure to Graham.
Monica Maughans credits include: Homicide, Matlock Police, Blue Heelers and MDA.

Leo Taylor - as Sir Frank Packer - a media magnate he created Australias first TV network with TCN and GTV Nine, the platform that rocketed Kennedy to national fame.
Leo Taylor credits include: Sons and Daughters, The Shiralee, Brides of Christ, Police Rescue, and Blue Heelers.

Bernard Curry as John Wesley - a schoolboy friend of Grahams, Wesley is Kennedys best and oldest mate.
Bernard Currys credits include: The Dish, Neighbours and Stingers.

Beth Buchanan as Val Wesley - Johns wife, pretty but conservative who dismisses Kennedys naughtiness just like a patient mother might.
Beth Buchanans credits include: Blue Heelers, Home and Away, The Flying Doctors and Halifax fp.

The KING was written by Jaime Browne and Kris Mrksa
Director: Matt Saville, (Secret Life of Us, We Can Be Heroes, Noise
Producer: Jason Stephens, Crackerjack

Producers of The KING are Crackerjack, with TV1 as principal investor along with support from The Nine Network and Film Victoria.