The six-part Australian original from The Artful Dodger director Jeffrey Walker is inspired by the true story of an alleged fraud spanning continents.

Production has wrapped in Queensland on Paramount+’s Australian original drama Who The Hell Is Hamish?, with Dominic Cooper and Claire van der Boom leading an all-star cast in the six-part series based on one of Australia’s most extraordinary real-life fraud cases.

The series, which is set to premiere globally on Paramount+ later this year, reunites Paramount Australia with Emmy and BAFTA-winning production company Hoodlum Entertainment and CBS Studios, following six years of development.

Created and written by five-time AACTA Award winner Adam Zwar (Austin, Mr Black) and directed by Jeffrey Walker(The Artful Dodger, Apple Cider Vinegar), Who The Hell Is Hamish? tells the story of an accomplished conman whose alleged deception stretched across multiple countries and is believed to have cost victims more than $70 million.

Cooper (The Gold, Preacher) stars as the charismatic Hamish, who targets Bec (Claire van der Boom), a recently divorced mother of three with access to a substantial family trust. As Bec begins to notice inconsistencies in his stories and increasingly suspicious behaviour, what initially appears to be a troubled relationship unravels into a far-reaching web of deception affecting victims around the world.

The ensemble cast includes Simone Kessell, William McKenna, Kate Jenkinson, Miah Madden, Fraser Anderson, Yasmin Kassim, Doris Younane, Maria Angelico, Marta Dusseldorp, John Howard, Andrea Moor, Joel Jackson, Remy Hii, Damien Garvey, Jack LaTorre and newcomer Harvey Bowen.

Sophia Mogford, Head of Scripted and Comedy at Paramount Australia, described the project as another example of the streamer’s commitment to producing premium Australian drama for international audiences.

“It is marvellous to be collaborating with Hoodlum Entertainment again on this fascinating true story,” Mogford said. “Working with world-class home-grown talent like Jeffrey Walker, Adam Zwar and the less home grown but equally brilliant Dominic Cooper, plus the rest of the excellent cast and crew, it’s the perfect example of what we are all about at Paramount+, making premier international drama right here on home soil.”

Hoodlum Entertainment CEO and producer Tracey Robertson said bringing the series to screen had been a lengthy journey.

“After six years in development, it’s extraordinary to see Who The Hell Is Hamish? finally come to life,” Robertson said. “Adam Zwar’s scripts are razor-sharp, full of wit, tension and deep compassion for the people at the heart of this story, and Jeffrey Walker has brought them to the screen with a confidence and craft that is genuinely world-class.”

The production was filmed across Queensland with support from Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, showcasing local crews, locations and post-production capabilities.

Screen Australia Chief Operating Officer Grainne Brunsdon said the series explores themes of “trust, deception, perseverance and justice,” while Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney noted the production highlights the state’s capacity to deliver premium international television.

Who The Hell Is Hamish? is produced by Hoodlum Entertainment and CBS Studios for Paramount+, with major production investment from Screen Australia and support from Paramount Australia and New Zealand, Screen Queensland and the City of Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program.

The series joins a growing slate of Australian originals on Paramount+, including Playing Gracie Darling, Fake, Last King of the Cross Season Two, NCIS: Sydney Season Three and Ghosts Australia.