MEDIA RELEASE: Paramount+ Australia greenlights second season of HELIUM and Cineflix Rights’ Last King of The Cross

Paramount+ Australia has greenlit a second, eight-part season of elevated crime drama Last King of The Cross, following its outstanding success as the most watched Australian series premiere of 2023.

Produced by HELIUM with Cineflix Rights as exclusive worldwide distribution partner, Last King of The Cross has also been an international hit with sales to streamers and broadcasters including a presale to Sky in the UK, Italy, Ireland, and Germany, together with Paramount+ in Canada and Warner Bros. Discovery in New Zealand, with more deals in the pipeline.

Inspired by John Ibrahim’s autobiography, the series charts the rise of a poverty-stricken immigrant with no education, no money, and no prospects to Australia’s most infamous nightclub mogul and is set in Sydney’s decadent, iconic Kings Cross district in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Season Two will delve deeper into the seductive and dangerous world of Kings Cross, as John expands his empire into the booming queer nightclub scene.  Set against the backdrop of the ecstasy-fueled 2000s, the stakes are higher than ever before, and everyone wants a piece—including John’s two younger brothers.

HELIUM’s Mark Fennessy said: “After the outstanding success of Season One, we are incredibly excited for Last King of The Cross to return for an electrifying second season. Bigger, bolder, and even more action-packed, we are eager to share the next chapter of this compelling story.

“As is evident by the international sales, Last King of The Cross has been embraced globally, which has fueled HELIUM’s commitment to telling gripping stories on a grand scale, delivering immersive and powerful narratives that resonate with audiences around the world. With unforgettable characters, explosive action, and complex relationships, the second season goes above and beyond in fulfilling this commitment—taking audiences on an exhilarating journey through a world that is sexy, dangerous, and deeply human.”

James Durie, Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights added: “Mark and the HELIUM team created an incredibly compelling drama in the first Season of Last King of the Cross, which has been a hit with international audiences as well as in Australia. We are delighted to be bringing the next stage of the John and his brother Sam’s lives, their business empire, and complicated relationship with each other to fans around the world.”

Daniel Monaghan, SVP, Content and Programming, Paramount ANZ said: “Australian audiences love local stories and content, which is why Last King of The Cross was the most-watched local series. We’re thrilled to bring viewers the next instalment of this gripping story.

“It is titles like this that make us proud to have our local commissions with universal themes, compelling, propulsive storylines, world class Australian talent and high-quality production values, contribute to Paramount+’s mountain of exclusive content, on an international scale.”

Season Two of Last King of The Cross (8×60) is a HELIUM Pictures production for Paramount+ Australia with Cineflix Rights as the exclusive international distribution partner.  This week it was announced that Lincoln Younes has been nominated for a 2023 Logie Award in the Most Popular Actor category for his many on screen roles including his outstanding portrayal of the character of John Ibrahim in Season One.

…/ends