‘Black Bitch’ TV series renamed ‘Total Control’ by ABC

The ABC says a new series will not use its international 'working title' when it premieres on Australian television screens later this year.

Deborah Mailman

Deborah Mailman in a scene from Total Control. Source: Blackfella Films

A social media storm erupted overnight as tweeters criticised an upcoming TV show for a title attempting to reclaim a racially charged insult. 

Respected Indigenous figures were among those who took to Twitter to express their concerns over the title of the ABC's new political drama, Black Bitch.
After the trailer was released this week, the ABC responded swiftly to the criticism and clarified that the show would be released in Australia later in the year under the title, Total Control.
Directed by Rachel Perkins, founder of Blackfella Films, the political drama stars Rachel Griffiths as Australia's Prime Minister and Deborah Mailman as her political rival, who is recruited into the senate after a contentious video goes viral. 

Ms Perkins, who created Mabo, Mystery Road and Redfern Now, aims to explore systemic injustice and the complexities of political change through the series. 

The first two episodes will premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival under the working title and the series is scheduled to air on the ABC later this year under the Total Control title.

Total Control/Black Bitch is the only Australian series to make it into the film festival alongside three US productions, a French production and a Czech Republic production.


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2 min read
Published 30 August 2019 3:47pm
Updated 30 August 2019 6:08pm
By NITV Staff Writer
Source: NITV News


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