Barrumbi Kids Premieres Friday 18 November on NITV

The premiere date for Barrumbi Kids, National Indigenous Television’s (NITV) brand-new family and children’s series, has now been confirmed for Friday 18 November.

The coming-of-age tale of Tomias (Nick Bonson) and Dahlia (Caitlin Hordern), two best friends growing up in a mysterious and remote Northern Territory community, is told in Barrumbi Kids.

The action-packed, 10-episode drama is full of heart and humour. The kids learn about themselves, each other, and living in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures through fishing, dancing, and school.

This endearing series was shot on the lands of the Jawoyn, Dogoman, Wardaman, and Mangarrayi peoples in the Northern Territory in Beswick (Wugularr), Barunga, Katherine, and Bitter Springs.

Barrumbi Kids stars Nick Bonson (13) and Caitlin Hordern (14) in their debut acting roles. Supporting cast members include one of Australia’s most accomplished and admired performers Justine Clarke (Play School, The Justine Clarke Show!), 2021 AACTA Award nominee Jacob Junior Nayinggul (High Ground), Frances Djulibing (Ten Canoes, Operation Buffalo), Adrienne Pickering (Rake, House of Bond), Christopher Sommers (The Water Diviner, Unfinished Sky), Sophie Emberson-Bain (Aquaman, Harrow, Neighbours), Finn Treacy (Ten Pound Poms), Serene Yunupingu (Mystery Road: Origin), Penelope Thomas, Stephen Mahy and Scott Hall.

Acting Head of Commissions NITV, Marissa McDowell, said:  “We are thrilled to bring this series to homes across Australia. Barrumbi Kids is the first major Northern Territory children’s series to be produced in the Top End, making it an important story for all Australians.

NITV continues to lead the way in representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on screen, and we are proud to have worked with so many talented people on this series to showcase the culture of local Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

An honourable mention to Kyas Hepworth, former NITV Head of Commissions, who was integral to bringing this flagship series to screens.”

Barrumbi Kids is co-produced by Danielle MacLean (True Colours, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky, Grace Beside Me, Little J & Big Cuz, Redfern Now) of Tamarind Tree Pictures, Monica O’Brien (Muster Dogs and Drop Dead Weird) of Ambience Entertainment and Julia Morris (Finding Maawirrangga, Phenomenom), and is based on the popular book series by Territory author Leonie Norrington.

Danielle MacLean, Monica O’Brien and Julia Morris, producers of Barrumbi Kids, said: “We’re so excited to share Barrumbi Kids with the world and showcase the fabulous characters, country and culture.

This series is full of Top End action – fireworks, million-dollar fish, snakes, corroboree, grass fires, imprisoned chooks and secret waterholes!”

ACTF Head of Content, Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Barrumbi Kids is a delight to watch, full of fun, action, colourful characters and spectacular scenery, giving audiences across Australia and the world a window into what it’s like to grow up in a remote Top End community. The adventures of Tomias and Dahlia will entertain the whole family.”

Barrumbi Kids is a Tamarind Tree Pictures and Ambience Entertainment production for NITV. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with NITV, Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), Screen Territory, Screen Queensland and Screen NSW.

Airdate: Friday 18 November 2022 at 7.30pm on NITV.