NITV has updated the broadcast schedule for its new children’s programming Thalu
The series marks the channel’s second foray in live-action children’s television
The premiere of the bold new children’s series, Thalu will be broadcast on Monday April 20 at 6:30pm with half hour episodes and will run every night until April 24.
The channel’s second foray in live-action children’s television focuses on a group of Indigenous children, who undertake a journey to save their Country from the threat of a mysterious dust cloud and its inhabitants, the Takers.
The friends must make their way to the ‘Thalu’, a place of great power, in order to stop the cloud before it destroys everything in its path. Along the way they encounter friends and foe alike as they search for eight sacred stones and a special key that will unlock the power of the ‘Thalu’ and stop the Takers in their tracks.
Thalu is an ode to the Pilbara region. Roebourne community stories are woven with Ngarluma culture and the classic heroes’ journey, shot in and around the Western Australian town.
NITV’s second live-action series was produced by Tyson Mowarin and Robyn Marais at Weerianna Street Media in association with Executive Producer Bernadette O’Mahony from the ACTF.
Mowarin also directed the program alongside the formidable talents of Dena Curtis, Amie Batalibasi, and Hunter Page-Lochard, while Executive Producer Mark O’Toole and writers Beck Cole, Samuel Paynter, David Woodhead, Donald Imberlong and Nayuka Gorrie wove the story of Thalu.
The co-commission with ABC is a five-part series which received principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund. It was financed with support from NITV, ABC and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
For each child in the cast, this marks their television debut. Newcomers Ella Togo, Cherry-Rose Hubert, Jakeile Coffin, Wade Walker, Penny Wally, Logan Adams and Sharliya Mowarin each come from Roebourne and their characters were created with input from each young cast member in order to reflect their personality.
Supporting and inspiring these local children in their first acting roles are industry heavyweights Elaine Crombie, Derik Lynch, Hunter-Page Lochard, Aaron McGrath, Tricia Morton-Thomas, Gabriel Willie and Trevor Jamieson, who round out an impressive all-Indigenous cast.
Following the success of the award-winning Grace Beside Me and Little J & Big Cuz, NITV Channel Manager Tanya Orman said the channel was committed to making more children’s television and finding new stories to tell.
“The last few years have been extremely exciting for NITV particularly within our children’s content. From our first live-action program, Grace Beside Me, to our legendary Little J & Big Cuz, it’s a real honour to be bringing so many wonderful characters to kids across Australia.
“Not only is Thalu an action-packed adventure, but it’s also a celebration of the Pilbara region and its culture. It’s not only entertaining, but it’s honestly a stunning piece of television.
“We can’t wait for our audience to come on this new journey with us, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to have another show in which they see themselves reflected on screen – all while celebrating Indigenous culture and language.”
Thalu premieres on NITV on Monday April 20 at 6:30pm with half hour episodes and will run every night until April 24.. Catch up is available on SBS On Demand.
