Controversial Australian crime series Last King of the Cross has proven such a hit with international fans that the second season has already been pre-sold overseas.
The original 10-part drama, based on the life of Sydney-based John Ibrahim, was released on Paramount+ last year.
The new series, which is currently in pre-production, will be shown on Sky UK, Warner Bros. Discovery in New Zealand and Paramount+ in Canada, reports The Sunday Telegraph.
Based on Ibrahim’s 2017 bestseller, the first 10-episode season starred heartthrob Lincoln Younes as a Kings Cross identity and focused on his relationship with his brother Sam (played by Claude Jabbour).
Both men were prominent figures in Sydney’s nightclub district and the series addressed key events in their lives, including John’s near-fatal knife attack and other attempts on his life.
Controversial Australian crime series Last King of the Cross has proven such a hit with international fans that the second season has already been pre-sold overseas. Pictured: Star of the series Lincoln Younes
The new series, which is currently in pre-production, will be shown on Sky UK, Warner Bros. Discovery in New Zealand and Paramount+ in Canada, reports The Sunday Telegraph. Pictured: Lincoln Younes, a scene from the hit series
Based on the life of Sydney resident John Ibrahim (pictured), the original 10-part drama debuted on Paramount+ last year
The new eight-episode sequel is set to take the story into the 2000s, with Ibrahim expanding his “club empire” at a time when the face of Kings Cross was changing under the influence of new drugs and alternative lifestyles.
Plot details are scarce, but producers have hinted that the drama will focus on John and his two younger brothers in their battle for control of Cross’ “Clubland”.
Sales of the new season were handled by Cineflix Rights.
Meanwhile, Mark Fenessey, producer of the series, said about the show’s success:
“This is not the side of Australia that many would have seen,” explains Fennessy.
“A world within a world – I always saw it as an international story where Sydney was just the setting and it wasn’t a typically Australian story.”
No official casting for the second season has been announced.
Younes, who was nominated for a Golden Logie, landed the lead role in the first season after an intensive search of almost two years.
British actor Tim Roth, who received an Oscar nomination for the 1995 film Rob Roy, plays the fictional crime boss Ezra Shipman in the series.
The new eight-episode sequel is expected to take the story into the 2000s, with Ibrahim expanding his “club empire” at a time when the face of Kings Cross was changing under the influence of new drugs and alternative lifestyles. Pictured: John Ibrahim (center) with Lincoln Younes (left) on the set of “The Last King of the Cross.”
He replaced Deadwood star Ian McShane, who was originally slated for the role but had to leave the production for health reasons.
The cast also includes Damian Walshe-Howling (Underbelly), Tess Haubrich (Alien: Covenant) and Matt Nable (Arrow).
The lavish production involved the construction of a complete reconstruction of the Kings Cross nightclub district in western Sydney.
Award-winning writer and director Kieran Darcy-Smith directed the crime drama.