Hallmark Nabs Aussie Series

The Hallmark Channel has bought a new drama series, "McLeod's Daughters," a co-production of the Nine Network's production offshoot, Nine Film and Television, Millennium Films and the South Australian Film Corp.

The 22-part series tells the story of two sisters running a vast rural property with an all-woman work force. It was filmed in South Australia on a property bought by the network especially for the production.

It stars Lisa Chappell, Bridie Carter, Sonia Todd, Jessica Napier, Aaron Jeffery, Rachel Carpani and Myles Pollard.

The sale to Hallmark, which will broadcast the series in markets around the globe, including the U.S. and Australia, overrides a previous agreement to sell the series to Australian cable channel fx, which is owned by Foxtel and runs on its service. It will now be shown on the Hallmark Channel, also on the Foxtel service.

"We believe it was an amicable split (with fx)," said Hugh Marks, head of Nine Film and Television. "We hope to go on and do other things together in the future."

"It didn't work out because Hallmark was there and we're keen to get access to the international channels and in the U.S. particularly," Marks added.

Brian Walsh, head of programming, publicity and promotions at Foxtel, wasn't available for comment on the split. But he said in a statement, " 'McLeod's Daughters' will screen on Foxtel over summer 2001. However, due to contractual reasons, it will now premiere on the Hallmark Channel, and not fx as previously advised."