Brock: the TV blockbuster

A decade after he died, Peter Brock is set to captivate Australia again – with a television blockbuster underway on the country’s most loved race driver.

Renowned production house Endemol Shine is creating the television drama simply titled Brock for Network Ten to screen next year. Matthew Le Nevez, who was Dr Patrick Reid in the multi-award-winning drama Offspring, will play the role of motor racing’s “King of the Mountain” and national folk hero.

“I hope to honour the man, his family and his legacy,” Le Nevez said.

“He is an Aussie icon like no other.”

Network Ten head of drama Rick Maier said that while Brock had been a champion driver, winning Bathurst’s Great Race nine times as well as a 24-Hour race at the NSW regional city’s famed Mt Panorama circuit, he also was “complex, troubled and full of self-doubt – an enigma”.

“This is the true story of one of our favourite sons, a man who was a hero to a generation of Australians,” Maier said.

“He was loved and admired by many, but few knew the real Peter Brock.”

Brock was killed when he crashed near Perth, Western Australia, in the Targa West tarmac rally on September 8, 2006. He was 61.

Endomol Shine Australia chief executive Mark Fennessy said the story of Brock – the man known as Peter Perfect for his feats on the racetrack and Not So Perfect Peter away from it – would be “profound and unique” on television.

“This really is big-event television at its very best,” Fennessy said.

Le Nevez already has portrayed real-life – and larger-than-life – individuals. He was Matthew Wales in the critically-acclaimed The Society Murders, cricket great Dennis Lillee in Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War and war photographer Damien Parer in Parer’s War.

“I watched Peter [Brock] conquer The Mountain many times. Now to be playing him … I am extremely excited,” Le Nevez said.

Ella Scott Lynch will play Bev Brock, the 28-year partner of the legend, while Steve Bisley will be Harry Firth, Brock’s mentor, friend and early team manager, and Natalie Bassingthwaite will be Julie Bamford, his partner at the time of his death.

Scott Lynch has starred in Home and Away, All Saints, Janet King and Love Child.

Veteran Bisley’s long list of credits includes Sea Patrol, Water Rats and Police Rescue.

Bassingthwaite has made her name with roles in Neighbours and Underbelly: The Golden Mile as well as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance Australia and The X Factor Australia.

Image: autopics.com.au