Counter Play Explained

Genre:Drama
Creator:Chrys Phillips
Director:Chrys Phillips
Opentheme:"Falls" by Little Theatre
Country:Australia
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:15
Company:Free Spirit Creative
Network:9Gem Amazon Video
Last Aired:present

Counter Play is an Australian television drama series screening on Nine Network's 9Gem in 2018.[1] Created by Chrys Phillips, the series centres around the residents of the high-end affluent town of South Point.[2] [3] [4]

Plot

The series opens with protagonist Jake Spector (played by Tyson Martick) returning to town years after a near-fatal accident, driven solely by a desire for revenge. His girlfriend, Faith Morgan (portrayed by Mikaela Phillips), remains unaware of his true intentions. Morgan's family holds significant historical sway in the town, adding layers to the unfolding drama. Jake targets old friends and his former love interest, Riley Cornwall (played by Isabel Dilena), for what he perceives as betrayal after a fateful incident following their high school graduation. Jake initiates a series of calculated "play or be played" scenarios, intent on exposing everyone's secrets and lies. However, as the scenarios progress there is the increasing sign Jake may not be the only one involved with the threatening notes and is someone else infiltrating his game.[5]

Production

Counter Play was originally launched as a six-part web-series in 2016 and achieved major online success with 1.5 million total views. Joint producers Chrys and Mikaela Phillips decided to continue the series into Season 2 with plans for a commercial platform. Filming since October 2017, two seasons of the show were completed by May 2018 with plans for season 3 commencing mid-late 2018.[6] [7]

Cast and characters

Broadcast

The series will premiere in Australia on Nine Network's 9Gem in 2018.[8] The program was acquired by Amazon Video in the United States and officially premiered on August 27, 2018, and is available to stream in Australia. The show is also currently in negotiations with networks in the UK, New Zealand and Asia.[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chrys Phillips Counter Play Interview. www.girl.com.au.
  2. Web site: counterplay. counterplay. 29 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110103/https://www.counterplayseries.com/. 3 January 2019. dead.
  3. Web site: Sublime Southampton, NY – with TV creator, Chrys Phillips.
  4. Web site: Leopold to star in TV series. March 2018.
  5. Web site: Rising Star Spotlight: Introducing Mikaela Phillips. 19 March 2018.
  6. Web site: HIT WEB SERIES 'COUNTER PLAY' IS NOT TO BE MISSED. dailystyleentertainment.com.
  7. Web site: Chrys Phillips: Disrupting the Australian TV Narrative With Counter Play – FilmInk. 3 April 2018. www.filmink.com.au.
  8. Web site: An Aussie Version of 'Gossip Girl' is Coming to Nine & It's XOXO Bonza M8. 11 September 2018.
  9. Web site: Counter Play TV Show – Australian TV Guide – The FIX. www.yourtv.com.au. 18 May 2018. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613085134/https://www.yourtv.com.au/program/counter-play/356434/. dead.
  10. Web site: Sydney Blog – Things to do in Sydney. Sydney Blog – Things to do in Sydney. 18 May 2018. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613084908/https://www.sydneychic.com.au/single-post/2018/02/05/Counter-Play-to-be-Streamed-Worldwide-by-Amazon-Prime-TV-and-the-NINE-Network-in-2018. dead.
  11. Web site: Archived copy . 18 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180520020424/http://leader.smedia.com.au/bayside-leader/ . 20 May 2018 . dead .
  12. Web site: Counter Play: From the web to our TV screens – Home and Holiday – Omny.fm. omny.fm. 18 May 2018. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613084813/https://omny.fm/shows/home-and-holiday/counter-play-from-the-web-to-our-tv-screens. dead.
  13. Web site: Actress Mikaela Phillips speaks with YEM. 24 August 2018.