by FilmInk Staff
Magi Pictures has acquired the rights to the number one bestselling novel Khaki Town by acclaimed Australian author Judy Nunn who has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide.
Set in 1942 Townsville, North Queensland, this murder mystery unveils a dynamic yet little-known chapter of wartime history when Australia became the strategic headquarters for the Pacific War. The story unfolds as hundreds of thousands of American troops flood into Queensland, creating an explosive situation when African American soldiers—still bound by Jim Crow segregation laws—found themselves in a country shaped by the White Australia policy’s racial exclusionary principles. This unlikely intersection of two nations’ discriminatory systems becomes the canvas for murder, taboo connections, and a struggle for dignity beyond the battlefield.
Magi Pictures which is based on Australia’s vibrant Gold Coast is an independent film and television production company founded by acclaimed screenwriter Shirley Pierce and internationally renowned director Michael Rymer.
For Pierce, Khaki Town represents a deeply personal connection to her African American heritage. “This story grabbed me from the first page because it’s not just history—it’s a gripping thriller that happens to expose truths we’re still confronting today,” says Pierce who has created for Disney, Sony and Fox. “Audiences will be drawn into this murder mystery set against an explosive backdrop where American and Australian racial attitudes collide. It’s got everything—danger, prohibited affairs, shocking revelations—while shining a light on a chapter of history that eerily mirrors headlines we’re still seeing now.”
“Queensland isn’t just our backyard — it’s practically a character in this explosive story,” says Magi co-founder Michael Rymer (director of Angel Baby, Queen of the Damned, Battlestar Galactica, Deadline Gallipoli). “We’ll be taking viewers to the streets where these events unfolded—military compounds where cultural tensions simmered, dance halls where clandestine entanglements were formed, and shadowy corners where murder was plotted. This setting offers a cinematic experience that combines historical authenticity with edge-of-your-seat suspense.”
Penguin Random House’s Khaki Town brings to life Judy Nunn’s signature talent for turning forgotten history into page-turning drama. A literary powerhouse, Nunn has mastered the art of injecting heart-pounding suspense into meticulously researched historical settings. Readers across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have fallen under the spell of her ability to make the past feel urgently, thrillingly present—a skill that promises to translate perfectly to the screen.
“I’m delighted that Magi Pictures has acquired Khaki Town,'” says Nunn who is represented by literary agent Karen Reid of Reid Books. “Michael and Shirley’s American film backgrounds and their understanding of the complex racial dynamics at play in this story, combined with their Queensland connection, makes them the perfect team to bring this important story to the screen.”
“Judy’s millions of readers across the globe have been asking for years to see her characters come to life on screen,” added Beverley Cousins, Fiction Publisher at Penguin Random House Australia. “Khaki Town is the perfect novel to make that leap—its vivid characters, emotional depth, and high-stakes drama are tailor-made for visual storytelling. We’re thrilled that Magi Pictures will be bringing this intriguing story to life, allowing fans to experience the tension and passion of Judy’s world in an entirely new way while introducing these unforgettable characters to a whole new audience.”
Magi currently has four series and three feature films in late-stage development, with Khaki Town set to begin development in May.
With a vision for authentic storytelling, Magi Pictures specialises in developing high-concept films and series which global audiences will relate to. Committed to producing world-class content across diverse genres, from culturally significant historical dramas to inspiring contemporary stories, Magi Pictures aims to entertain, engage, and foster a deeper understanding of the human experience.
