FIRST LOOK: DOMINIC COOPER PLAYS CONMAN HAMISH MCLAREN IN GRIPPING NEW AUSSIE DRAMA
Get the popcorn ready, because one of the most talked-about Australian true-crime stories is about to become your next binge-watch.
Paramount+ has released the first look at Who the Hell Is Hamish?, a new drama inspired by the real-life case of conman Hamish McLaren.
British star Dominic Cooper takes on the lead role, and all six episodes will be available to stream from Thursday 10 December.
If you are already planning your summer viewing, this one deserves a spot at the top of the list.
Meet the cast
Dominic Cooper, who many viewers will remember from Mamma Mia!, plays the smooth-talking fraudster.
Australian actor Claire van der Boom plays Bec, a recently divorced single mother of three sons who has access to a family trust, according to TV Blackbox.
The supporting cast reads like a who's who of Aussie television.
It includes Marta Dusseldorp, Kate Jenkinson, Doris Younane, Simone Kessell, Remy Hii, Joel Jackson, John Howard and Maria Angelico.
William McKenna, Miah Madden, Fraser Anderson, Yasmin Kassim, Andrea Moor, Damien Garvey and Jack LaTorre also appear, alongside newcomer Harvey Bowen.
What is the story about?
According to TV Central, the series follows Hamish as he returns to Australia from Canada and sets his sights on Bec.
As she notices cracks in his story, her suspicions grow into an investigation that uncovers alleged deception across several countries.
The suspected debts run to more than $70 million.
The show is said to be inspired by the true story of the fraudster and the victims who worked together to stop him.
It was created and written by Adam Zwar, a five-time AACTA Award winner, and directed by Jeffrey Walker.
Hoodlum Entertainment and CBS Studios produced the series for Paramount+, and filming wrapped in Queensland in August.
The true story of Hamish McLaren
Many Australians first heard this story through a hugely popular podcast of the same name.
Hosted by journalist Greg Bearup for The Australian in 2019, it reached number one on iTunes in Australia and the UK, according to Wikipedia.
It spent 94 continuous days in the Australian top ten.
Hamish McLaren, born Hamish Watson, used several aliases over the years.
Between 2011 and 2017, while living in Bondi, he took at least $7.66 million from 15 known victims in Australia.
Those victims reportedly included a woman he married and the fashion designer Lisa Ho.
He was arrested in 2017 and pleaded guilty in 2019 to charges including dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Why this story matters to so many women
At its heart, this is a story about trust, charm and the courage it takes to ask hard questions.
The real case is a powerful reminder that anyone can be targeted by a skilled and charming manipulator.
It is also a story of women backing each other, and that is likely to make it compelling viewing.
With such a strong local cast and a story many of us remember from the headlines, it could well be the most talked-about Australian drama of the summer.
Know the warning signs
If the show gets you thinking, it is worth brushing up on the red flags of romance and investment scams.
Be wary if a new partner seems to be moving very quickly, has a complicated or ever-changing back story, or starts talking about money early on.
Pressure to invest, lend cash or keep things secret from family and friends is another common warning sign.
The government's Scamwatch website has plenty of helpful information and is a good place to report anything suspicious.
Most importantly, talk to someone you trust if something does not feel right.
A second opinion from a sister, friend or adult child can help you see a situation more clearly, and there is never any shame in asking.
Who the Hell Is Hamish? streams on Paramount+ from Thursday 10 December.
