Hugo Weaving and Shabana Azeez on the set of The Airport Chaplain. Photo by Ben King.
Filming is now underway on the new SBS drama series The Airport Chaplain in Melbourne.
Set to broadcast on SBS and produced by leading independent production company Wooden Horse, The Airport Chaplain explores the high‑stakes world of a bustling international airport told through the struggles and triumphs of the workers who keep it running.
The eight-part series stars internationally acclaimed multi-award winning actor Hugo Weaving (Slow Horses, The Royal Hotel) and Shabana Azeez, breakout star of the Golden Globe winning HBO drama series The Pitt with a stellar ensemble cast, including Claudia Karvan (Bump, Halifax: Retribution), Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High, The Narrow Road to the Deep North). Erroll Shand (All Her Fault, The Twelve), Kavitha Anandasivam (Aftertaste, The Hunting), Jackson Tozer (The Newsreader, All Her Fault), Elias Anton (Swift Street, Barracuda), Arka Das (Fake), Fanny Hanusin (Wentworth), Echo Palo (The Correspondent), Nicholas Denton (Dangerous Liaisons), George Mason (Run), Brenna Harding (The Twelve, Total Control), Michael Logo (Colin From Accounts), Priscilla Doueihy (Baby Teeth), Claude Jabbour (Last King of the Cross) and Ras-Samuel (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes).
Inspired by an unforgettable real-life experience the series' co-creator Jude Troy (The Clearing, Mother & Son) had with Melbourne Airport's own Chaplain, Martyn Scrimshaw, the series is co-created by Jude Troy and Elise McCredie (Stateless, Jack Irish, The Clearing) who both serve as Executive Producers.
The series is written by Elise McCredie, Sarah Bassiuoni (Critical Incident), Mithila Gupta (Four Years Later) and Vidya Rajan (Why Are You Like This, Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe). The series is directed by Bonnie Moir (Run), and Tig Terera (Swift Street) and produced by Jude Troy and Alexandra Cameron (The Cape, Mother & Son).
The Airport Chaplain is filming in and around Melbourne on purpose-built sets that recreate the interiors of airport terminals. Post-production and visual effects work will also take place in Victoria.
The production will inject over $8 million into the Victorian economy and create an estimated 170 jobs for Victorian screen workers including 21 locals in heads of department roles and three placement opportunities that will upskill emerging female screen practitioners.
The Airport Chaplain has received support from the Victorian Government through VicScreen's Victorian Production Fund.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said, "The Victorian Government is proud to back this home-grown production that is inspired by real events and real people at Melbourne Airport. With some of Australia's most exceptional talent in front of and behind the camera, the series is creating jobs for Victorian screen workers, boosting our state's economy, and showcasing our local screen industry to global audiences."
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, "VicScreen is delighted to support The Airport Chaplain — an ambitious prestige drama that is set to resonate with audiences around the world through its powerful storytelling. Created by a highly experienced female-led creative team, this highly original series is a testament to the strength of Victorian talent and our commitment to backing female creatives who are redefining the screen landscape."
Co-Creator and Executive Producer, Wooden Horse, Jude Troy said: "Set in the controlled chaos of a high stakes, emotionally charged environment that audiences will recognise, this series will change how they travel through that world moving forward. This prestige drama is inspired by a real-life encounter I had with an airport chaplain here in Melbourne and brings to screen characters that connect us - literally and figuratively. Boasting a world-class line-up of creatives on and off screen, we are thrilled to bring this unique workplace drama series to life here in Victoria."
SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha said: "We're incredibly excited to be working with this exceptional cast to bring such an ambitious and distinctive Australian drama to life. Hugo Weaving's captivating humanity and Shabana Azeez's fearless voice anchor a series that celebrates what binds us together. We can't wait for audiences here and abroad to step into the world of The Airport Chaplain."
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said: "Brought to life by the inimitable Hugo Weaving, acclaimed Shabana Azeez and told through the unique setting of an airport, The Airport Chaplain is perfectly poised to explore a spectrum of perspectives and nuanced stories. This ambitious series will resonate with audiences around the world with its deeply human storytelling."
The Airport Chaplain will premiere on SBS in 2026.
