While Australia is still waiting on a verdict in the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial, word is the ABC’s already cooking up a TV drama based on the case, because of course they are.
The scripted series titled Toxic has been described as an “intricate series that explores the events and characters of this true-life story without judgement”, per Media Week.
Created by Elise McCredie (Jack Irish) and Tony Ayres (The Survivors), with support from ABC journalist and podcaster Rachael Brown, the series is being developed for the ABC by Tony Ayers Productions, which is backed by Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios.
“True stories ask storytellers to probe the complexities of human behaviour,” Ayres said of the mushroom case series.
“What really lies beneath the headlines? It’s both a challenge and a responsibility to go beyond the surface – to reveal, not just sensationalise.”
A courtroom sketch of Erin Patterson. (Credit: AAP)
McCredie added that it is a “tangled, heart-breaking story” and that “sitting in on the trial, watching evidence unfurl, change direction, and reposition itself has been an exercise in the subjectivity of ‘truth’ and a blueprint for a dramatic retelling that explores multiple perspectives in an honest and compelling way”.
“We’re excited to be partnering once again with our long-time collaborators, Tony Ayres Productions, on this powerful new project,” Rachel Okine, Head of Scripted at ABC, added.
“This investigation has already captivated audiences across Australia and we’re eager to dive deeper into the complexities behind the headlines to bring this story to life with the team.”
Patterson is accused of murdering her former in-laws Don and Gail, and Gail’s sister Heather, who all died after eating a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms at Patterson’s home.
Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson survived the July 29, 2023 lunch and Patterson has been charged with his attempted murder.
She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains it was all a tragic accident.
This is the first scripted series being developed about the case, with Stan creating a documentary series that looks at the intricacies of deaths, titled Death Cap.
Stan’s synopsis for the series is as follows: “With exclusive access into the trial of Erin Patterson, the documentary series Death Cap explores how one tragic lunch has the means to shatter a small-town community, while examining the fairness of a trial amidst a global media frenzy.”
There’s currently no indication of casting or when the series will begin filming.
Meanwhile, the jury in the Erin Patterson trial will enter their fifth day of deliberating today to reach a verdict.
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