The ABC, in collaboration with Lingo Pictures and Screen Australia, has announced the production of “Shakedown,” a compelling four-part drama that delves into the personal and political fallout of the Robodebt scandal—one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in modern Australian history.
Filming is set to begin in March 2026, with the series slated to premiere on ABC TV and ABC iview later that year. “Shakedown” will dramatize the true story of how a coalition of victims, whistleblowers, journalists, and legal advocates challenged a government-run automated debt recovery system that falsely accused over 500,000 welfare recipients of owing money, triggering demands for $1.8 billion in repayments between 2015 and 2019.
Helen Bowden, Managing Director of Lingo Pictures, emphasized the series' emotional resonance: “Between 2015 and 2019, Centrelink forced hundreds of thousands of ordinary Australians to pay $1.8 billion dollars for debts they did not owe. People lost their life savings, their relationships, and their dignity—some were driven to suicide. Audiences will be inspired by the courageous victims, activists, journalists and lawyers who fought back. Our story looks at what went wrong, how it was put right, and the justice that is yet to be served.”
ABC’s Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine, highlighted the series’ relevance and depth: “This series will expose the human face behind the scandal that broke trust with our government systems. Going beyond the Royal Commission findings into the individual impact and the bravery of those who fought to expose it. We will go beyond the statistics to explore those whose fight for compassion and humanity ultimately triumphed over a faceless system.”
Screen Australia’s Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, stated: “‘Shakedown’ is an important story about Australia’s recent history. Led by a highly experienced creative team and rooted in factual events and experiences, it is a nuanced and thoughtful portrayal of the events and decisions that impacted thousands of Australians.”
Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW, added: “‘Shakedown’ is a timely and compelling series that is set to spark national conversation when it releases on ABC. Screen NSW is thrilled to support the exceptional team at Lingo Pictures, bringing this searing and important story to screen.”
Produced by Lingo Pictures, a subsidiary of ITV Studios, the series is written by Blake Ayshford, Magda Wozniak, and Sophie Miller, and directed by Jennifer Leacey. Executive producers include Helen Bowden and Jason Stephens for Lingo, with Brett Sleigh and Rachel Okine representing the ABC. Linda Micsko is on board as producer. The production is funded by the ABC and Screen Australia, with additional financing from Screen NSW, and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
“Shakedown” promises to be both a stirring dramatization and a critical lens on institutional failure, human resilience, and the cost of justice delayed.
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