Here’s an Australian project that has potential to draw some interest in the television scene down under. In December, it was reported that Australian network Seven had commissioned production company Shine to make “Never Tear Us Apart,” a miniseries based on the ’80s rock band INXS. Now, the lead role of late frontman Michael Hutchence has been cast — Luke Arnold will play the troubled singer. Arnold has had a career in his native Australia, but will be seen by U.S. audiences for the first time in the upcoming Michael Bay pirate series “Black Sails” as a young Long John Silver.
INXS apparently has a saga to be told, with the relationship between Hutchence and bandmate Andrew Farriss being at the center of the story. The four-hour, two-part miniseries will reportedly chart the band’s rise to the top, a terrible motorcycle accident involving Hutchence, and his death at the age of 37, the cause of which was officially determined to have been suicide, but was theorized by some to have been autoerotic asphyxiation. We’re guessing that bit won’t make it into the series — Shine and Seven have secured full cooperation of the surviving band members and manager to use their story and their entire music catalog, indicating the material may not be so prying.
No word yet on if this will get distribution in the U.S., but if Arnold piques interest in “Black Sails,” we wouldn’t be surprised to see this imported. Filming gets underway this summer. [Courier Mail/Deadline]