Disney+ Secures U.K. Rights to Hugo Weaving Legal Drama 'The Great White'
LONDON — Disney+ has secured the exclusive U.K. broadcasting rights to The Great White, an upcoming six-part Australian legal workplace drama starring Hugo Weaving. Produced by the prominent, Mediawan-backed production banner See-Saw Films—the creative force behind Apple TV+'s critically acclaimed spy thriller Slow Horses and Netflix's hit series Heartstopper—the highly anticipated show is being represented internationally by Mediawan Rights. Originally commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the acquisition represents a major addition to Disney+'s premium international drama slate in the United Kingdom.
Production on the series is currently underway in Sydney, Australia, having commenced principal photography in early June. Filming is scheduled to wrap at the end of August, positioning the series for a highly anticipated broadcast and streaming debut next year. The drama marks a high-profile return to television for Weaving, whose storied career spans iconic roles in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings franchises, alongside celebrated prestige television projects like Showtime's Patrick Melrose. In The Great White, Weaving leads a talented ensemble cast in a high-stakes narrative that explores the moral complexities and personal costs of the modern legal system, blending intense courtroom dynamics with workplace politics.
The acquisition underscores the growing international appetite for premium Australian drama, which has increasingly found global critical and commercial success on major streaming platforms. Mediawan Rights has positioned the project as one of its flagship offerings for the upcoming television market.
"We are thrilled to partner with Disney+ to bring The Great White to British audiences," said Valérie Vleeschhouwer, Managing Director of Mediawan Rights. "See-Saw Films has once again delivered a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. With an actor of Hugo Weaving's immense caliber at the helm of this sophisticated workplace drama, we are confident this gripping series will resonate deeply with U.K. viewers."
By partnering with See-Saw Films, Mediawan continues to expand its footprint in high-end, English-language television. Known for balancing cinematic ambition with intimate, human-centric storytelling, See-Saw's involvement guarantees a polished finish for the series. While ABC will broadcast the drama domestically in Australia, the Disney+ deal ensures that The Great White will receive a high-profile platform in the competitive U.K. market, highlighting the streaming giant's ongoing commitment to diversifying its regional programming with premium acquired content.