Join us for a fascinating conversation with screenwriter, EP and AWG President Peter Mattessi, who will be talking to us about the process of creating and writing the ABC’s spin-off series Return To Paradise - the Australian iteration of the hugely popular UK crime comedy-drama series Death In Paradise.

Return to Paradise, which launched on the ABC at the end of September 2024, combines the DNA of the original global hit murder mystery series with a new, unique Australian take. Peter will talk us through what it took to create a completely original drama series while retaining the essence of what viewers love about Death in Paradise - and the particular ingredients that give it a uniquely Aussie flavour. 

Like audiences around the world, Aussies love a good crime series - they’re addictive and bring in audiences week after week. Pete reveals how the writers created entirely new Australian characters, settings and cases for the team to crack - and the essential ingredients for writing absorbing and entertaining murder mysteries. Plus we’ll hear from him on how leaning into the location - the idyllic, beachside hamlet of Dolphin Cove in NSW - helped to unlock the texture, language and character behaviour of the series. 

This is a must-attend session for anyone who wants to understand more about the writing process behind making episodic TV series and what goes into making a successful “spin-off” inspired by a previous much-loved series. 

Peter’s Bio:

Screenwriter and Executive Producer Peter Mattessi is currently the President of the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG). He recently co-created and executive produced Return to Paradise, the Australian spin-off of the global hit series Death in Paradise, which premiered on the ABC and BBC One in 2024 - it’s currently available on ABC iView. 

His work is well-known and loved by Australian audiences, and includes The Heights, Ms Fishers’ Modern Murder Mysteries (as co-executive producer) and Neighbours. In the UK, Mattessi served on the EastEnders core writing team for over ten years. He has represented Victoria on the National Executive Council of the Guild. He also sat on the Australian Writers’ Guild Authorship Collecting Society (AWGACS) Board until 2023 and has been part of the leadership team ensuring the payment of royalties to Australian and New Zealand screenwriters. He holds a law degree from The University of Melbourne.

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If you have any questions please email us on takeoff@mediamentors.com.au