Asher Keddie takes on media mogul Media Freedman, with a role in the new Australian series Strife.
Keddie, 50, plays the character of Evelyn Jones in the comedic drama, which is loosely based on editor Mia Freedman’s memoir, Work, Strife, Balance.
The role comes thirteen years after she won our hearts playing the funny and ever-relatable Nina Proudman in the first season of Offspring.
Recently, she also starred in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, and in 2021, she played opposite Melissa McCarthy and Nicole Kidman in Nine Perfect Strangers.
Now, she’s taking on what could become her most iconic role yet, as she tells the story of one of Australia’s most formidable women in media.
So what do we know about Keddie’s latest project, and what are the real events that inspired it? Keep reading for all the details on Strife.
What Is Strife About?
For those unfamiliar with Freedman’s book, according to Binge, which houses Strife, the series “tells the story of a modern, imperfect woman and publisher named Evelyn Jones (Keddie) and her journey from lounge room blogger to becoming a force in women’s media.”
Set in the early days of publishing and digital media, the story is inspired by Freedman’s life and career as she forged her online platform, Mamamia.
Speaking about the role for the November cover of marie claire Australia, Keddie explained: “The show is about ambition. I really like the character because we see the cost of what she’s trying to do in finding her own voice as a female boss, leading a team of people and dealing with the sexism that was rife at the time.”
“It’s not just about juggling, it’s about navigating a new landscape in the media world where women were finding their voices. It was the beginning of personal essays and that transferring to the internet.”
Who Else Is Cast In Strife?
Joining Keddie in Strife is Jonatahn LaPaglia, who is best known as the host of Australian Survivor, as well as Matt Day, Tina Bursill, Emma Lung, Maria Angelico, Rhys Mitchell, and Olivia Junkeer.
Award-winning production company Made Up Stories produced the series, with producers Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson and Steve Hutensky alongside Asher Keddie, Sarah Scheller and Mia Freedman.
With an ensemble of actors this strong, Strife is a series worth paying attention to. Especially considering it has been renewed for a second season.
Will There Be A Second Season Of Strife?
Announcing the news in January 2024 – merely a month after the series premiered – the team at Binge confirmed that yes, Strife will be returning for season two.
“Strife has seen audience growth faster than any other Binge original, breaking records to become our biggest series launch for both first-day and first-week viewing and I am excited to see the writers, led by Sarah Scheller, back in the writers’ room to work on next season,” Binge executive director, Alison Hurbert-Burns, said.
How To Watch Strife
Strife is officially available to stream on Binge with all eight episodes. A release date has not been set for season two, however, filming officially commenced in Sydney during August 2024.
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This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
