ABC announces slate of programming for 2023, including Leigh Sales’ return
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Love watching the ABC? Great news – the public broadcaster just announced their programming plans for 2023, and there's a lot to look forward to!
As most of her fans know, Leigh Sales' contract to host The 7.30 Report expired in June this year, one month after the federal election.
Having wrapped up her 12-year contract with ABC, which also included hosting Q&A, Lateline, and The 7.30 Report, Sales went on a self-proclaimed 'hiatus' from the world of television.
And while she wanted to spend this time with her children and recharge by doing things other than work (like playing golf regularly), she did admit to making plans to return to the world of broadcasting in the near future.
It turns out that she was right!
Following a recent announcement from ABC, it was revealed that Leigh Sales will return to TV screens as the anchor of the Australian Story in 2023.
She will become only the second host to hold the position in the programme's history, following Caroline Jones who passed away in May of this year.
Sales, acknowledging the honour of taking over for Jones, said: 'Australian Story is one of the most beloved programs in the country and I am so excited and humbled to be invited to front it. I can’t wait to be involved in the production process of such a talented team.'
It was said that Sales would only return to TV once her six months of long service leave ran out.
Truthfully, time sure flies. Wasn't it only this month that she was given that time off? Guess she’s not wasting any time!
ABC's announcement of Sales' new job was also made as part of its 2023 upfronts – a virtual showcase of the public broadcaster's programming plans for the year.
Mother and Son will also be revived for another season, with Matt Okine and Denise Scott as the actors taking over the roles of the previous cast members, Garry McDonald and Ruth Cracknell. The original series aired from 1984 to 1994 and is considered one of the most loved comedies in Australia.
It was said that the new series will feature Okine as the recently single Arthur, who moves home after learning that his mother Maggie set fire to the kitchen.
Mother and Son is expected to receive a total of 8 episodes, with each running for 30 minutes.
Beyond that, ABC also announced the production of two new comedies: Gold Diggers and Limbo.
Gold Diggers will depict the story of two sisters who go after rich, dumb husbands in the 1850s Victoria goldfields. The series will be written by Carmen Duncan and Rebekah Turner, and be directed by Tristram Bancks.
Limbo will star Ryan Corr and Bob Morley as two best friends in a six-part drama about one's life after the other dies unexpectedly.
On the documentary front, Australian audiences will be delighted to know that there will be a sequel to the critically acclaimed series Utopia.
Aunty Donna's Coffee Café will be the first narrative series by the satirical comedy troupe, featuring the adventures of three young men running a trendy café in Melbourne.
Chas Licciardello, Kirsten Drysdale, and Lawrence Leung will star in No Stupid Questions, where 'no question is too dumb or off-limits'.
Anna Torv and Sam Reid will return to the screen to play journalists Helen and Dale in The Newsreader’s highly anticipated second season, which will air in 2023 as well.
It is also said that ABC will run a series based on Markus Zusak's novel, The Messenger, which will be directed by Michael McGohm.
Whiteley on Trial, which will delve into the Australian art fraud case involving dealer Peter Grand and conservator Aman Siddique, will also be airing next year.
Other shows include 7.30, China Tonight, Foreign Correspondent, Four Corners, India Now, Insiders, Media Watch, News Breakfast, Planet America, Q&A, The Drum, and War on Waste, Back in Time for the Corner Shop, Kitchen Cabinet, Designing a Legacy, The ABC Of, Art Works, Back Roads, Catalyst, Compass, Gardening Australia, Gruen, Hard Quiz, Landline, Offsiders, Restoration Australia, and The Weekly with Charlie
What are your thoughts on the ABC’s 2023 plan? Is there anything you're looking forward to watching? Let us know in the comments below!
As most of her fans know, Leigh Sales' contract to host The 7.30 Report expired in June this year, one month after the federal election.
Having wrapped up her 12-year contract with ABC, which also included hosting Q&A, Lateline, and The 7.30 Report, Sales went on a self-proclaimed 'hiatus' from the world of television.
And while she wanted to spend this time with her children and recharge by doing things other than work (like playing golf regularly), she did admit to making plans to return to the world of broadcasting in the near future.
Leigh Sales will make her television comeback as the new presenter of the Australian Story. Credit: ABC.
It turns out that she was right!
Following a recent announcement from ABC, it was revealed that Leigh Sales will return to TV screens as the anchor of the Australian Story in 2023.
She will become only the second host to hold the position in the programme's history, following Caroline Jones who passed away in May of this year.
Sales, acknowledging the honour of taking over for Jones, said: 'Australian Story is one of the most beloved programs in the country and I am so excited and humbled to be invited to front it. I can’t wait to be involved in the production process of such a talented team.'
It was said that Sales would only return to TV once her six months of long service leave ran out.
Truthfully, time sure flies. Wasn't it only this month that she was given that time off? Guess she’s not wasting any time!
Mother and Son will be rebooted in 2023. Credit: ABC.
ABC's announcement of Sales' new job was also made as part of its 2023 upfronts – a virtual showcase of the public broadcaster's programming plans for the year.
Mother and Son will also be revived for another season, with Matt Okine and Denise Scott as the actors taking over the roles of the previous cast members, Garry McDonald and Ruth Cracknell. The original series aired from 1984 to 1994 and is considered one of the most loved comedies in Australia.
It was said that the new series will feature Okine as the recently single Arthur, who moves home after learning that his mother Maggie set fire to the kitchen.
Mother and Son is expected to receive a total of 8 episodes, with each running for 30 minutes.
Beyond that, ABC also announced the production of two new comedies: Gold Diggers and Limbo.
Gold Diggers will depict the story of two sisters who go after rich, dumb husbands in the 1850s Victoria goldfields. The series will be written by Carmen Duncan and Rebekah Turner, and be directed by Tristram Bancks.
Limbo will star Ryan Corr and Bob Morley as two best friends in a six-part drama about one's life after the other dies unexpectedly.
On the documentary front, Australian audiences will be delighted to know that there will be a sequel to the critically acclaimed series Utopia.
Aunty Donna's Coffee Café will be the first narrative series by the satirical comedy troupe, featuring the adventures of three young men running a trendy café in Melbourne.
Chas Licciardello, Kirsten Drysdale, and Lawrence Leung will star in No Stupid Questions, where 'no question is too dumb or off-limits'.
Anna Torv and Sam Reid will return to the screen to play journalists Helen and Dale in The Newsreader’s highly anticipated second season, which will air in 2023 as well.
It is also said that ABC will run a series based on Markus Zusak's novel, The Messenger, which will be directed by Michael McGohm.
Whiteley on Trial, which will delve into the Australian art fraud case involving dealer Peter Grand and conservator Aman Siddique, will also be airing next year.
Other shows include 7.30, China Tonight, Foreign Correspondent, Four Corners, India Now, Insiders, Media Watch, News Breakfast, Planet America, Q&A, The Drum, and War on Waste, Back in Time for the Corner Shop, Kitchen Cabinet, Designing a Legacy, The ABC Of, Art Works, Back Roads, Catalyst, Compass, Gardening Australia, Gruen, Hard Quiz, Landline, Offsiders, Restoration Australia, and The Weekly with Charlie
What are your thoughts on the ABC’s 2023 plan? Is there anything you're looking forward to watching? Let us know in the comments below!
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