True crimes of the past rise to the surface as SBS launches the network event Deep Water, unearthing a gripping true crime story and a buried chapter of Australia’s recent history.

In the 1980s and 1990s a wave of murders bloodied the idyllic coastline of Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

There were 80 murders, 30 unsolved cases and thousands of assaults. The victims: young homosexual men.

SBS’s Deep Water brings these events of the past to life with a compelling new Australian drama series, a feature-length documentary and an interactive, immersive online and social media experience.

The Deep Water drama and documentary is a Blackfella Films production for SBS, with major production investment from Screen Australia, with Screen NSW as a partner for the drama. This is the first time Screen Australia has funded a drama and documentary on the same subject matter airing at the same time.

Deep Water, a four-part drama series inspired by these events set in contemporary Bondi, featuring a stellar cast of Australian actors and airing over two big weeks, premieres Wednesday October 5 at 8.30pm on SBS.



Source: SBS

Directed by Shawn Seet (Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door) and written by Kris Wyld (East West 101) and Kym Goldsworthy (Love Child, Serangoon Road) the drama unfolds when detectives Tori Lustigman, played by Yael Stone (Orange in the New Black) and Nick Manning, played by Noah Taylor (Game of Thrones) are assigned to a brutal murder case. Lustigman and Manning begin to uncover mounting evidence to suggest the killing is connected to a spate of unexplained deaths, “suicides” and disappearances throughout the 80s and 90s. Is this the result of shoddy police work, indifference, or something far more sinister.

See the all-star Australian cast here:

All-star Australian cast headlines new SBS Drama Deep Water Deep Water, the compelling new crime drama from SBS features a stellar line-up of Australian talent.

Documentary participants Alan Rosendale and Paul Simes in Deep Water: The Real Story (Photo by Alina Gozin'a)

Source: SBS

Deep Water – The Real Story is a feature-length documentary premiering Sunday October 16 at 8.30pm on SBS. Directed by Amanda Blue, Deep Water – The Real Story is a 90 minute feature presenting first-hand accounts of Sydney’s gay hate killings in the 1980s and 1990s.

This documentary unravels the stories of a society in the grips of homophobia as gangs stalked vulnerable victims on the coastline cliffs, brutal gay bashings were carried out, and lives were ended on the rocks below.

Many of those involved at the time, including police, advisors, victims and families of those murdered speak out on the crimes of the past in the hope that new evidence will rise to the surface in the pursuit of peace for the dead and justice for their loved ones.

Deep Water: The Real Story - a crime documentary that pulls no punches SBS introduces Deep Water: The Real Story - part of a network event that unearths a gripping true crime story and a buried chapter of Australia’s recent history.

Deep Water: Online Investigations



Source: SBS

Deep Water – Online Investigations is an online interactive hub developed by Blackfella Films and SBS, and produced by SBS. It includes content that is released across September and October. The site will include a special illustrated long form feature; a true crime podcast series; and an interactive site delving into 30 cold cases, allowing users to explore the unsolved murders, both within Bondi and wider Australia, for themselves.

Deep Water – Online Investigations also features in-depth extras around the Deep Water drama and Deep Water – The Real Story; with behind-the-scenes videos of the drama, including cast and crew interviews; sneak-peek extras; deleted scenes from the drama and a photo-gallery showcasing Bondi Beach - all available now.

During the broadcast of the Deep Water, the drama series, audiences will also be able to delve further into the investigation as it unfolds during each episode by following an immersive extended narrative experience on Twitter. In partnership with Screen Australia and Twitter, the initiative will provide viewers with exclusive access to evidence and crime scene material from the drama, providing another layer to the gripping story.

Photos and footage, previews of episodes and personal insight into the lead character of Detective Tori Lustigman (Yael Stone) will be shared on Twitter handles @DeepWaterSBS and @ToriLustigman. Viewers can also follow the investigation using #DeepWater and as the drama unfolds on screen, they will feel like they’re investigating the crime right alongside the Bondi detectives.

SBS Director of Television and Online Content, Marshall Heald said:

“SBS is a true champion of captivating and compelling storytelling, and always looks for new ways it can share stories with Australian audiences. The Deep Water drama and documentary by the talented team at Blackfella Films, alongside a truly innovative online hub and social media experience gives audiences multiple ways to explore and connect with these important events of the recent past which have shaped our society.”

Deep Water, the drama, airs over two big weeks, starting 8.30pm Wednesday, 5 October, with continuing with the second episode on Thursday, 6 October 8.30pm on SBS.

The four-part series will also available after broadcast, anytime, on your favourite streaming device, SBS On Demand.

Watch the trailer below: