The man who put Australian music on your TV — with more chaos than charisma.
The story of how, from the early 1970s, Australia's eccentric Ian 'Molly' Meldrum became a loved and respected rock music guru as host of the TV show Countdown.
Acting
Samuel Johnson disappears completely into Molly's chaotic energy.
Production
Painstaking recreation of Countdown's gloriously daggy aesthetic.
Costume
The hat collection alone deserves its own credit.
Director
Kevin Carlin
Samuel Johnson
Ian 'Molly' Meldrum
T.J. Power
Robbie Weekes
Tom O'Sullivan
Michael Shrimpton
Ben Gerrard
Caroline
Krew Boylan
Lynne Randell
Rebecca Breeds
Camille
Kate Atkinson
Mother
Helen Morse
Grandmother
Benedict Hardie
Alan Wade
Aaron Glenane
Michael Gudinski
Jacinta Stapleton
Madonna
Ben Geurens
Shirley Strachan
Connor Crawford
John Paul Young
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Samuel Johnson actually broke his back in a real-life accident during filming, forcing production to work around his recovery — very on-brand for Molly chaos.
Countdown premiered in 1974 and ran until 1987, effectively serving as Australia's only unified national pop culture experience before the internet fragmented everything.
US
AU
