From cold-case investigations and cult exposés to a new NRL podcast, the ABC has given audiences a sneak peek at what’s coming to their screens and ears in 2027.
Announced at its annual content showcase in Sydney on Wednesday, the broadcaster’s slate spans new Australian dramas, true crime documentaries, children’s programming, podcasts and live music, alongside a healthy dose of returning favourites.
So what’s coming to Aussie screens and ears next year you might ask?
Crime is front and centre in the ABC’s scripted slate, with new drama Fortitude Valley, investigating a decades-old cold case that turns unexpectedly personal. Rural Crime Unit, starring Rebecca Gibney, Morgana O’Reilly and Philip Lynch, brings a buddy-cop twist to rural crime, while Pilli Sisters P.I. follows two Indigenous private investigators whose search for their missing brother threatens to crack a case wide open.
Elsewhere, David Lyons, David Harewood and Anthony LaPaglia star in John Bailey – The Enemy Within, adapted from Tim Ayliffe’s novel, while Kate Box and Sarah Peirse team up for darkly comic thriller Help Me! and Hugo Weaving leads new drama The Great White as a disgraced barrister.
On the documentary front, true crime fans can tune into Mark of a Murderer, following journalist Colleen Egan’s investigation into a suspected serial killer, and Pray Harder, a three-part series exploring coercive control and abuse within Australian cults.
The slate also includes Silenced, featuring women and journalists at the centre of high-profile legal battles, including Brittany Higgins and Amber Heard; Kumarangk: Sacred Women’s Business, examining the legal fight over an Ngarrindjeri sacred site; and Battle on the Waterfront, revisiting the 1988 waterfront workers’ rights dispute.
And for something a little less grim, (which admittedly had me a little teary-eyed) Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds and Family pairs 10 seniors with 10 four-year-olds. Meanwhile, Wild Wild Whips heads to the National Whip Cracking Championships, and Rodeo Dreams takes viewers inside the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo.
New children’s content also includes Little Lunch: New Class, preschool dance series Emma’s Dance Club, animated series Happy House and science program Imagine This. Indigenous lullaby Dirrell Lullaby, written and performed by Alice Skye, will also join the ABC Kids line-up.
ABC News is adding two documentaries to its slate: Alliance, exploring the seven-decade relationship between Australia and the US, and The Rise and Fall of Alan Jones, (something I’ve already added to my to-watch list) examining the broadcaster’s career and the power he held for decades.
What about audio?
Podcast listeners can look forward to fresh investigations and conversations through ABC listen.
Season seven of Expanse, hosted by Keely Johnson, will investigate the 1981 disappearance of a plane over the Barrington Tops. Six-part narrative podcast The Box follows Griffin Blumer as he confronts a moment from his past in a remote country town.
Consumer-focused series The People Versus, hosted by Julian Morrow, will help Australians get a better deal, while a new NRL podcast featuring Josh Mansour, Kennedy Cherrington and Andrew Fifita will launch in February, releasing twice a week.
For music fans, triple j Unearthed’s new series DEMO will showcase stripped-back performances from emerging Australian artists, while Double J’s Straight To Tape captures homegrown and international acts recording live-to-analogue-tape sets in one take. Triple j will also partner with youth music charity The Push for the 19th edition of its school music competition, with a five-date national tour taking a legendary Australian act back to high school for a lunchtime concert.
And here’s what’s returning
There’s plenty of familiar content coming back, too including Kitty Flanagan returning for season four of Fisk, Dog Park gets a second season, Return to Paradise returns for a fourth, and Sam Pang leads season two of comedy Ground Up.
Entertainment staples Hard Quiz, Guy Mont Spelling Bee, Spicks & Specks, The Weekly and Gruen are all returning, alongside second seasons of Urzila and Tonight at the Museum. First Nations variety program That Blackfella Show is also back, with Jessica Mauboy returning as host.
After its return this year, Race Around The World will send another group of young Australians overseas with Zan Rowe and John Safran. And, after a four-year break, You Can’t Ask That is returning to ask the questions people might think but rarely say out loud.
Documentary and factual favourites on the comeback trail include Muster Dogs, Kitchen Cabinet, The Assembly, I Was Actually There, Grand Designs Australia, Grand Designs Transformations, Compass, Landline, Back Roads, Offsiders, Gardening Australia and Media Watch, alongside Todd Sampson’s Why?, Dr Ann’s Secret Lives and Dr Karl’s How Things Work.
Music and arts viewers can expect a third season of The Piano, with Tim Freedman joining Andrea Lam as a mentor and Amanda Keller returning as host. Portrait Artist of the Year is also back for a third season, while rage will celebrate its 40th birthday. triple j Live at the Wireless, Take 5 With Zan Rowe and the ABC Classic 100 Concert will also return.
For younger audiences, returning titles include Little J & Big Cuz, Play School, Good Game Spawn Squad, Knee High Spies and Caper Crew.
ABC News will bring back National Forum and ABC Your Say, while audio favourites ABC News Daily, ABC Business Daily, Politics Now with Patricia Karvelas, If You’re Listening, Conversations, Unravel, The Case Of, The Grill and Ladies, We Need To Talk are also set to return.
Meanwhile, triple j’s Hottest 100 will kick off the year in January, with Like A Version, Unearthed High and One Night Stand also returning.
