Killing Time (TV series)

Killing Time
GenreDrama
Written byIan David
Mac Gudgeon
Katherine Thompson
Shaun Grant
StarringDavid Wenham
Diana Glenn
Colin Friels
Richard Cawthorne
Kris McQuade
Malcom Kennard
Narrated byAndrew Hague P.C.L
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producerJason Stephens
Production locationsMelbourne, Victoria
Running time60 minutes
Original release
NetworkTV1 (pay TV)
Seven Network (free-to-air)
Release2 November 2011 (2011-11-02) –
4 January 2012 (2012-01-04)

Killing Time is an Australian television drama series on TV1 subscription television channel which first screened in 2011. It is based on the true story of disgraced lawyer Andrew Fraser. In New Zealand it screens on Prime Television.

Background

Born in Melbourne in 1951, for thirty years Andrew Fraser was one of Australia's leading criminal lawyers. He defended underworld families the Morans and the Pettingills, businessman Alan Bond, and footballer Jimmy Krakouer.

With success came cocaine addiction, ending in 1999 when Fraser was charged with being knowingly concerned with an importation of cocaine. Fraser admitted himself to hospital, beginning the long road to recovery. Fraser was sober for the two years he was on bail, and has remained so ever since.

Despite’s Fraser’s “guilty” plea, he has never admitted to his crimes.

Fraser pleaded guilty [without admitting] and was sentenced in 2001 to seven years imprisonment with a minimum of five. Despite being a low-risk prisoner, Fraser was sent to a maximum-security prison, which housed thirty-eight of the most dangerous criminals in Victoria. During that period Fraser heard (and reported) disturbing tales from many notorious prisoners, including convicted serial killer Peter Dupas.

After his release from prison, Fraser wrote three books about his life experiences and the alleged corruption of Victoria's judicial system.

Fraser died of cancer in August 2023.

Television series

Killing Time is a television mini-series based on Fraser's experiences. It was produced in 2009 by FremantleMedia, TV1 and Film Victoria.[1] David Wenham portrays Fraser in the series.

Overview

Andrew Fraser is a lawyer who defends high-profile clients such as Dennis Allen, Jimmy Krakouer, Alan Bond and those accused of the Walsh Street murders.

Production

The ten part series is written by Ian David, Mac Gudgeon, Katherine Thompson and Shaun Grant. The executive producer is Jason Stephens.[2] The series was initially due to screen in 2010 but was deferred due to strong violence and horror content scenes of the mini-series, which jeopardised a series of gangland trials that were in progress.[3]

Cast

Main cast

Supporting cast

Guests

References

  1. ^ Controversial TV1 series Killing Time to screen in November
  2. ^ "Killing Time drama series for TV1". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  3. ^ "True crime drama pulled from schedule over legal fears". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 February 2012.