Four new Australian documentaries, three scripted series and the drama acquisition Legacy of Spies join several returning series in SBS’s 2027 line-up.
SBS has unveiled its 2027 programming slate today at a luncheon event in Sydney, with four new Australian documentaries, three new scripted series and a major international drama acquisition joining returning favourites across the year.
SBS has also confirmed it has secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the FIFA World Cup 2030, following its coverage of this year’s tournament.
– Advertisement –
SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman celebrates the broadcaster’s continued partnership with FIFA (image – SBS)
The new documentary slate includes Ray Martin is Misinformed, which explores artificial intelligence, misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories, alongside Homeless 300, hosted by Samuel Johnson and focused on perceptions of homelessness.
Bondi will examine the aftermath of the December 14 attack at Bondi Beach through the experiences of survivors, victims’ families, first responders and others who were involved.
SBS and NITV will also present 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback, examining the shooting of 19-year-old Warlpiri Luritja teenager Kumanjayi Walker by police officer Zachary Rolfe.
The documentary slate also includes Meeting a Murderer: The Hilton Bomber, in which Marc Fennell sits down with the man who says he was responsible for what is considered Australia’s first major terrorist attack.
New international drama
SBS has acquired Legacy of Spies, an eight-part espionage thriller based on the novels of John le Carré, starring Matthew Macfadyen, Charlie Hunnam and Hugh Laurie.
Returning international dramas include Blue Lights, Rogue Heroes, The Audacity and Code of Silence, alongside new series including Ethan Hawke’s The Lowdown, Aidan Gillen’s Tall Tales & Murder and The Vampire Lestat, starring Sam Reid.
– Advertisement –
Babylon Berlin will return for its fifth and final season, while the Has Fallen franchise continues with Apollo Has Fallen.
The movie line-up includes Anora, Sing Sing, The Count of Monte Cristo, Maria and Queer. Supported by SBS, Australian drama Sweet Milk Lake stars Harvey Zielinski and Hunter Page-Lochard.
Charlie Hunnam and Hugh Laurie star alongside Matthew Macfadyen in Legacy of Spies, coming to SBS in 2027 (images – supplied)
Alone Australia returns
Alone Australia will return for its fifth season, with the latest group of contestants facing an Arctic winter.
Other returning Australian programs include The Jury: Skeleton in the Garden, Who Do You Think You Are? and The Secret DNA of Us.
The new season of Who Do You Think You Are? will feature Celeste Barber, Brendan Cowell, Shane Janek and Adam Liaw, while Marc Fennell, Rae Johnston and Brad Argent return for a new season of The Secret DNA of Us.
NITV marks 20 years
NITV will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a slate including Search for the Snowy, following Tony Armstrong and Stephen Curry on a 400km journey along the Snowy River with Wiradjuri River guide Richard Swain.
Other new NITV programs include InDesign, which follows Georgia Birks as she explores how Traditional Owners, architects, builders, artists and policymakers are changing the way Australians design and live, and Saltwater Cowboys, following Malgana entrepreneur Michael Wear and his Indigenous startup Tidal Moon.
– Advertisement –
Proper Loved Up will bring together five First Nations romantic comedies, while Wolfram, set in the same universe as Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country, stars Deborah Mailman.
Little J & Big Cuz will also return for a fifth season, with new First Nations writers and voice actors joining the children’s series.
The cast of Tantrum, one of three new Australian scripted series from SBS, NITV and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative (image – SBS)
Three new Australian scripted series
Three new Australian scripted series developed through SBS, NITV and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative will also premiere in 2027.
Mangrove Mansion follows Sunny and her fiancé Alex as they commandeer her father’s houseboat after he threatens to skip their wedding, only to become stranded in the mangroves.
Pretty Deadly centres on an Aboriginal nail technician who develops the ability to unleash spirits with a single touch, while Tantrum follows a friendship that turns into a bitter feud after an anti-parent rant goes viral.
Food, entertainment and events
The Eurovision Song Contest returns in 2027, with the competition heading to Bulgaria after Australia finished fourth with Delta Goodrem at this year’s contest.
Mastermind will also return with Marc Fennell, while The Cook Up reaches its 1,000th episode in 2027.
New food programming includes Minoli’s Spice Island, Family Dineasties with Kylie Kwong and Sydney Food Boy, Tucci in Italy and a new season of Rick Stein’s Australia.
Inside Sydney Fish Market, narrated by Rick Stein, will also go behind the scenes at the Sydney institution.
More than 850 hours of cycling
SBS will continue its cycling coverage in 2027, including the men’s and women’s Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and the European Cycling Classics.
The sporting line-up will also include the Australian Championships (Football), Dakar Rally, Sydney Marathon, Kooyong Classic, motorsport, ISU Figure Skating and World Gymnastics.
SBS has also confirmed it has secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the FIFA World Cup 2030.
The 2027 slate will be available across SBS’s television channels, SBS On Demand and its digital and audio platforms.
– Advertisement –
