ABC 2027 Upfront: John Bailey – The Enemy Within begins filming — Production is underway on a six-part Australian crime thriller led by David Lyons, with David Harewood, Yael Stone and Anthony LaPaglia joining the cast.
Based on the bestselling novel by Australian author and former ABC journalist Tim Ayliffe, John Bailey – The Enemy Within will follow a war correspondent whose search for the truth exposes a terror plot and a conspiracy reaching into the highest levels of global influence.
The announcement expands the broadcaster’s newly unveiled ABC 2027 television slate, with the series set to screen on ABC TV and ABC iview during 2027. An exact premiere date has not yet been announced.
A conspiracy closes in on journalist John Bailey
Lyons plays battle-scarred war correspondent John Bailey, whose relentless investigation draws him into a dangerous world of political intrigue, international espionage and secrets hidden in the darkest corners of the internet.
Bailey reunites with enigmatic CIA operative Ronnie Johnson, played by Harewood. Johnson once saved Bailey’s life in Afghanistan, but their new mission places both men inside a deadly game of cat and mouse as powerful enemies close in and Bailey’s old demons return.
ABC Head of Scripted Rachel Okine said the adaptation would combine an Australian identity with international scale.
John Bailey – The Enemy Within is exactly the kind of bold, sophisticated Australian drama we are proud to bring to audiences. Tim Ayliffe’s gripping novels provide the foundation for a thrilling series that feels both distinctly Australian and internationally resonant. With an exceptional cast, a world-class creative team and spectacular filming locations across Sydney, the series delivers ambition, scale and suspense in equal measure. We can’t wait for audiences to meet John Bailey and be drawn into his complex and dangerous world.
Rachel Okine, ABC Head of Scripted
David Lyons leads an international cast
Alongside Lyons and Harewood, the ensemble includes Australian actors Yael Stone and Anthony LaPaglia. Their character details remain under wraps, but the production says the four performers will bring Ayliffe’s world of power, corruption and dangerous secrets to television for the first time.
The contemporary thriller is produced by CJZ and is filming across Sydney. CJZ CEO and executive producer Matt Campbell said the creative team was drawn to the novel’s central character and timely themes.
From the moment we read Tim Ayliffe’s novel, we knew it had all the ingredients for a compelling television series. It offers a fresh and fascinating lead character, a gripping conspiracy thriller and a timely exploration of the challenges facing Australia and the wider world. We’re thrilled to be bringing together this exceptional cast and creative team, alongside our partners at the ABC, Screen Australia, Screen NSW and Sphere Abacus, to bring this story to the screen.
Matt Campbell, Executive Producer and CJZ CEO
Screen Australia and Screen NSW back the series
The ABC and Screen Australia are providing major production investment, with support from Screen NSW. ABC Commercial will handle local distribution, while Sphere Abacus will distribute the series internationally.
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said the thriller had the ingredients to reach viewers beyond Australia.
John Bailey – The Enemy Within is a bold Australian thriller with global appeal, combining political intrigue, international espionage and high-stakes suspense. Backed by the experienced production team at CJZ, the series is set to bring Tim Ayliffe’s acclaimed novels to the screen with cinematic ambition and gripping storytelling for audiences at home and around the world.
Louise Gough, Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content
Screen NSW Senior Manager Content Investment Lauren Edwards said the production would showcase the strength of the state’s screen industry.
Screen NSW is proud to support this screen adaptation of the bestselling novel as a gripping six-part thriller that will introduce John Bailey’s world to a new audience in Australia and around the world. Produced by renowned NSW production company CJZ and brought to life by an exceptional team of local screen creatives, the series showcases the strength and talent of the state’s screen industry. Featuring an outstanding cast, John Bailey – The Enemy Within is set to deliver a compelling and entertaining Australian story that resonates with audiences everywhere.
Lauren Edwards, Screen NSW Senior Manager Content Investment
Tim Ayliffe’s novels reach television
Ayliffe is a consulting producer on the adaptation. He said the story’s tensions had remained strikingly relevant while the novels were being developed for television.
I can’t wait to see John Bailey – The Enemy Within on the ABC. Working with CJZ and the ABC to adapt the John Bailey novels has been an incredible experience. Through these books I’ve tried to explore the complexities and tensions of the world we live in, and The Enemy Within often felt uncomfortably close to reality. I couldn’t have hoped for a better group of actors, writers and producers to bring this story to audiences in a whole new way.
Tim Ayliffe, author of The Enemy Within
The creative team behind John Bailey – The Enemy Within
Blake Ayshford adapted the novel for television and writes the series with Claire Phillips, Chris Squadrito and Natasha Henry. Lucy Gaffy and Shawn Seet direct, with Elisa Argenzio serving as series producer.
Lyons is also a co-executive producer. Campbell, Claire Tonkin and Ayshford are executive producers, while Rebecca Anderson and Okine serve as executive producers for the ABC.
John Bailey – The Enemy Within will air on ABC TV and stream on ABC iview in 2027. For more TV Central ABC coverage, head here, and visit ABC iview for the broadcaster’s current drama catalogue.