23 October, 2019

Seven Upfronts: Matt Preston & Gary Mehigan Jump Ship To Head Network’s 2020 Line-Up

By B&T Magazine

Arguably the industry’s worst kept secret has been confirmed at Seven’s Sydney upfronts this evening with the announcement that former MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan are set to join the network for yet another cooking show.

And, as expected, George Calombaris isn’t on Seven’s 2020 menu following his well-publicised staffing indiscretions this year.

However, Preston and Mehigan won’t be replacing Pete and Manu on MKR, instead given a new show (alongside Manu) to be called Plate Of Origin.

Commenting on Seven’s 2020 line-up, newly minted CEO James Warburton said: “I’ve been clear from day one that we’re executing a content led growth strategy. To that end we’re investing 30 per cent more in our tentpole programs and franchises.”

The network’s stalwarts will all return next year – MKR, House Rules, Home And Away, The Good Doctor and Better Homes And Gardens. While some oldies will be resurrected including Zumbo’s Just Desserts and Fat Pizza (on 7mate).

New shows announced at the upfronts include Mega Mini Golf; the world’s toughest physical test of celebrities yet, SAS: Who Dares Wins; the return of hit franchises Big Brother and Farmer Wants A Wife; the best of the best in Australia’s Got Talent: The Champions; and male and female celebrities coming together for special event series The All New Monty: Guys and Gals.

Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson is ready to raise the woof as host of every dog lover’s new addiction, Pooch Perfect.

Other new shows include a Shane Jacobson-hosted travel show called Mates On A Mission.

A new drama that goes by the working title RFDS and stars Justine Clarke, Rob Collins and Stephen Peacocke. A thriller called Between Two Worlds and a doco-drama of the infamous Peter Falconio murder Falconio: An Outback Murder.

There’s also Wife Swap (as the name suggests) and US thriller called Gold Digger starring Mad Men’s Julia Ormond.

Reckoning is a locally produced thriller set in California that explores the darkest corners of the male psyche through the eyes of two fathers, one of whom is a serial-killer.

While One Lane Bridge is being called “a character-focused crime drama with a dark, supernatural edge”.

Seven’s also snared the rights to Filthy Rich which stars Kim Cattrall in this southern Gothic family drama in which wealth, power and religion collide – with outrageously soapy results.

High-octane drama 9-1-1 expands its reach to the city of Austin, Texas with its first-ever spin-off.

Miss Scarlet And The Duke is set in the same 1880s London society that gave rise to Jack the Ripper, this British detective drama features a fearless, independent heroine played by Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders, The Crown).

Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail sees legendary comedian Billy Connolly telling the incredible story of the Scottish people in America. Starting in New York and finishing in Nashville, Tennessee,

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Seven Upfronts