Lenni: Toni Collette leads new Australian Apple TV comedy drama – Toni Collette will lead Lenni, a new Australian comedy drama now in production for Apple TV. The series is filming in Sydney and brings together a large local cast alongside Academy Award nominee Ciarán Hinds.
The production adds another high-profile Australian title to Apple TV’s slate and gives Collette a leading television role built around both family drama and child-welfare work. The project is based on the Norwegian series Pernille, but the adaptation relocates the story to Australia and surrounds Collette with performers including Celeste Barber, Wayne Blair and Dan Wyllie.
What Lenni is about
Collette plays Lenni, a divorced social worker and mother of two. After a family tragedy, she tries to protect the people closest to her while continuing to support vulnerable children through her work.
A new case raises the stakes and begins to blur the boundary between Lenni’s professional and personal lives. Apple describes the series as a darkly comedic mystery as well as an uplifting and poignant family story.
The premise places the practical demands of child welfare beside the messier obligations of family life. It also gives the series a mystery structure, with Lenni’s new case set to push both parts of her world towards a collision.
Toni Collette leads an Australian ensemble
Hinds joins Collette in the cast with Wyllie, Josh McKenzie, Barber, Genevieve Hegney, Arka Das and Blair. Apple has not yet revealed their character names or how they connect to Lenni’s family and case.
Collette is also an executive producer on the series. Her Australian screen career includes Muriel’s Wedding, United States of Tara and The Sixth Sense, while her recent television work has ranged across drama, comedy and mystery.
Dearbhla Walsh directs Lenni
Dearbhla Walsh directs the series. Her credits include Bad Sisters and Margo’s Got Money Troubles. Australian writer Sarah Scheller, whose work includes The Letdown and Strife, is adapting the story.
Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Katie Amos executive produce for Made Up Stories. Avi Nir, Keren Shahar and Scheller executive produce for Keshet International. Walsh, Collette, original creator Henriette Steenstrup, Bård Fjulsrud and Tanya Badendyck are also executive producers.
The original Pernille was created by Steenstrup and produced by Monster for Viaplay. The Australian production is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.
When will Lenni stream?
Production is underway in Sydney. Apple TV has not yet announced an Australian premiere date or episode count for Lenni.
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