BBC Studios develops Bliss adaptation from Tony Ayres and Peter Carey – BBC Studios Australia Productions has confirmed that Bliss is currently in development. The new television drama is created and written by Tony Ayres.
The project adds another high-profile Australian scripted title to BBC Studios ANZ’s production slate. It pairs one of the country’s most influential screen creatives with source material from two-time Booker Prize winner Peter Carey.
Bliss is adapted from Carey’s novel of the same name. The book was first published in 1981 and won the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
A contemporary adaptation
The novel was previously adapted into Ray Lawrence’s 1985 feature film. That film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
The new drama series will reimagine the story in a contemporary setting. It will retain the novel’s themes of family, marriage, faith, identity and moral reckoning.
The story follows advertising executive Harry Joy, who suffers a heart attack and comes to believe he is living in hell. As he rejects the corruption of his former life, Harry searches for redemption and meaning.
Creative team
Ayres said revisiting Carey’s novel in 2026 had struck him in a different way from when he first read it in his twenties. He said the idea of waking up convinced you are living in hell felt especially relevant now.
Kylie Washington, EVP and Creative Director at BBC Studios Australia Productions, said the company was proud to work with Ayres on a fresh version of Carey’s story. She described Bliss as a bold drama about identity, morality and transformation.
Carey said he was delighted that Ayres and BBC Studios were adapting the novel. He said he looked forward to seeing how the story evolves for contemporary audiences while retaining its original spirit.
Australian scripted slate
The announcement follows BBC Studios Australia’s continued expansion of its local production slate. The company produces Australian versions of BBC formats and original series for local and international audiences.
Recent and current local productions include Top Gear Australia, The Office Australia, Dancing with the Stars, The Great Australian Bake Off, The 1% Club, Return to Paradise, Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye and Ghosts. BBC Studios Australia Productions also owns Werner Film Productions, the company behind titles including The Newsreader and Goolagong.
Bliss is positioned as a premium Australian drama designed to connect locally and internationally.
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