Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo is a 2011 Australian TV series, which was nominated for several awards. Asher Keddie, who is the show’s main lead, won Best Performance in a Television Drama at the 2012 Australian Film Institute Awards and Most Popular Actress and the 2012 Logie Awards. Rob Carlton also won the Most Outstanding Actor in a Series at the Logie Awards for his performance. The show is only 2 episodes, but they’re 90 minutes apiece and aired on ABC1.

 

The series follows the inception of the popular Australian magazine, Celo. The story of the magazine’s rise to fame is told through the eyes of its creator, Ita Buttrose (Asher Keddie). Rob Carlton stars as Kerry Packer. The series also features some very prominent Australian stars including Matt Day, Jessica Tovey, Nathan Page and Ian Meadows. Although the series mainly focuses on the magazine and the political atmosphere, it does a good job making the characters sympathetic and likable.

 

The television drama turns into somewhat of an uplifting tale for Ita, who demands and eventually receives the respect and recognition that is rightfully deserved. Of course, it doesn’t come easy. She faces all kinds of hurdles from those higher up the food chain, as well as the public and government. Leslie Carpenter (Jessica Tovey) delivers a very compelling side story, which shakes things up just a tad.

 

Leslie becomes a member of the staff, after leaving her job, due to harassment from a male colleague. She gets caught up in a love triangle with her current boyfriend, Murray (Rick Donald), and Daniel Ritchie (Matt Day). Unfortunately for Leslie, Daniel is married and has three children. The other cast of characters lend credence and humor to the drama.

 

So, how is it? Overall, I definitely enjoyed the biographical, drama! It never felt slow and never lagged along. The old, historical footage was beautifully shot and definitely helps to set the mood and make the time period feel much more accurate. All of the side stories are well done and help to develop each of the characters, but the main story is definitely the meat of the show.

 

Asher Keddie definitely stands out as and helps to make the show a success, but the rest of the Paper Giants cast is equally deserving of credit. Rob Carlton is great, as is Jessica Tovey and Matt Day. I would’ve like to have seen Nathan Page and the home atmosphere a little more, but Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo is excellently overall

 

The series deserves an 8.5 out of 10 and is well worth watching! It is currently available on Hulu and I highly recommend checking it out today!