Surf Drama Series ‘Barons’ Is Calling Card for New Era at Fremantle Australia

variety.com:

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Barons,” a surf and business drama series that plays this week at Series Mania, is a calling card for the newly re-structured Australian operations of TV giant Fremantle.In recent weeks, leadership of the unscripted side of the business has been put in the hands of Eureka, a company in which it bought an increased shareholding last year.

That leaves the remainder, under the management of Greg Woods, focused on high end drama and documentaries.Insiders have called the new emphasis on premium drama and big factual pieces a new chapter for the company.Other upcoming shows include the recently wrapped “Heartbreak High” for Netflix, “Significant Others” for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and “Jump” for local streamer Stan. “These guys with very humble origins, in this tin pot town in Australia, become like Cain and Abel.

They’re kind of friends and rivals. That works as a kind of ceiling. But no, they have very big plans for [their businesses],” says Justin Davies, executive producer of “Barons.”“I think Fremantle is the best place to support this amazing co-production with people who know so much about this subject.

Mick [Lawrence] has brought all the surfing community with him on this journey.”Conceived by Lawrence, Liz Doran and John Molloy, “Barons” is an upscale, but easily approachable, eight-part series that examines what happens when money gets muddled with friendship.