By Travis Johnson
Remember The Magician? Scott Ryan’s 2005 self-starring indie crime thriller followed the exploits of likable hitman Ray Shoesmith as he pursued his murderous career while trying to hit that all-important work-life balance sweet spot. If you imagine an Australian working class Grosse Point Blank with a fraction of the music budget, you’re on the right track. Here:
Well, Ray is coming back in Mr Inbetween, a new drama series for FX Australian, to be directed by Nash Edgerton, with Ryan on scripting duties. A first season of six half-hour episodes has been commissioned. According to the official synopsis, the series “…follows the charismatic, yet volatile hitman Ray Shoesmith, who must navigate his chilling business while also maintaining friendships, parental responsibilities and a fledgling romance.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about sharing with the world more of Scott Ryan’s dangerously fun character, Ray Shoesmith, with the help of FX, Jungle and producer Michele Bennett.” Edgerton commented.
This is good news on two fronts. One, The Magician is pretty great and it’ll hopefully be a lot of fun revisiting Ray’s low-key criminal milieu. Plus Ryan has been off the radar for a decade or so, and it’s good to have him back. Two, FX are framing this as the first project in an ongoing commitment to developing and commissioning Australian content, so we should be seeing more local voices on the channel. Win/win.
No casting announcement has yet been made. Expect Mr Inbetween in the back half of 2018.
