800 Words
800 Words is a comedy-drama television series, co-produced by South Pacific Pictures and Seven Productions for the Seven Network.
Premise
George Turner is a popular columnist for a top-selling Sydney newspaper, writing a weekly column which he insists must be exactly 800 words. After his wife dies, he buys a home in a small New Zealand seaside town called Weld, where his parents took him on holiday as a child. He then has to break the news to his two teenage children, Shay and Arlo. But the colourful and inquisitive locals in Weld ensure Turner's dream of a fresh start does not go exactly to plan.Cast
Main
- Erik Thomson as George Turner
- Melina Vidler as Shay Turner
- Benson Jack Anthony as Arlo Turner
- Rick Donald as Jeff "Woody" Woodson, an Australian expat builder who moved to Weld for the surf
- Bridie Carter as Jan, George's former boss and editor in Sydney
- Emma Leonard as Tracey Dennis, an Australian expat and Shay and Arlo's form teacher at Weld High School
- Michelle Langstone as Fiona, the owner-operator of the Weld Boat Club and a volunteer ambulance driver
- Anna Jullienne as Katie Bell, a part-Maori artist and owner of the Weld arts and crafts gallery
- Cian Elyse White as Hannah, a surfer who works part-time at the Weld Boat Club and the local surf shop
Recurring
- Jonathan Brugh as Monty McNamara, a real estate agent who sold George his new home in Weld and is a volunteer firefighter
- Peter Elliott as Bill "Big Mac" McNamara, the financial kingpin of Weld and father to Bill Jr., Monty, and Robbie
- Paul Glover as Bill McNamara Jr., father to Lindsay and Jared
- Manon Blackman as Lindsay McNamara, Bill Jr.'s daughter.
- Matt Holden as Jared McNamara, Bill Jr.'s son
- Olivia Tennet as Siouxsie McNamara, Monty's daughter and secretary
- John Leigh as Constable Tom, Weld's local police officer and photographer
- Alex Tarrant as Ike, one of Zac's children and love interest of Shay
- Reon Bell as Billy, Katie and Zac's son
- Rob Kipa-Williams as Zac, Katie's ex-partner and father to Ike, Hannah, and Billy
- Renee Lyons as Brenda, runs the supermarket
- Jesse Griffin as Sean, works for the local council
- Henry Beasley as Ollie, works at the petrol station, has a crush on Shay
- David Fane as Smiler
- Tandi Wright as Laura Turner, deceased wife of George and mother to Shay and Arlo
- Elizabeth Hawthorne as Trish, Laura's mother
- Peter Hayden as Roger, Laura's father
- Jackie van Beek as Gloria, production manager of the local newspaper, News of the Weld
- Millen Baird as Robert "Robbie" McNamara, Fiona's ex
- Ditch Davey as Terry Turner, George's younger brother, a chef
- Jamaica Vaughan as Emma, Fiona's niece and summer love interest of Arlo
- Jessica Redmayne as Poppy, Woody's 16-year-old daughter
- Rachael Carpani as Mary, Woody's ex and mother to Poppy
- Miriama Smith as Ngahuia, Zac's ex and mother to Ike
Production
The series was first announced on 29 October 2014 with the Channel Seven 2015 highlights. The CEO of South Pacific Pictures, Kelly Martin said "Seven loved the scripts from the start and we're thrilled to have this project underway. It enables South Pacific Pictures to broaden our horizons and it'll open up some great opportunities for our local actors and crew." Of the series' tone, the Program Chief of Seven, Tim Ross stated, "If you think this show has a bit of the same feel and vibe as Packed to the Rafters, you're dead right—and we make no apologies for that." Filming for the series began on 2 March 2015.On 19 October 2015, the Seven Network and South Pacific Pictures renewed the show for a second season. It premiered on 23 August 2016 in Australia. On 24 January 2017, the Seven Network announced that the series had been renewed for a third season. It screened from 12 September 2017 with a mid-season finale after eight episodes.
On 17 August 2018 Seven Network cancelled the series after three seasons.