Dramatic twist in plans for telemovie about Shane Warne after ‘crisis talks’ with family

Channel 9 have confirmed a dramatic change to plans for a telemovie about Shane Warne, after his family labelled it “beyond disrespectful”.

Shane with his son, Jackson, and daughter, Brooke. Picture: Instagram

Shane Warne’s family have confirmed they’ve offered support for the controversial new series about the late cricket legend’s life.

Warne’s daughter Brooke had slammed Channel 9 for making a drama so soon after he died suddenly in March, labelling it “beyond disrespectful”.

Nine started production this week saying it had met with the Warne family and will collaborate with the family as filming continues.

“Shane Warne was an Aussie legend, a cultural icon, a cricketing genius, a charmer and a loveable rogue,’’ Nine said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Warnie, as he was affectionately known to all, transcended cricket.

“Like all great characters, he inspired extreme reactions from people from all walks of life, in Australia and around the world.”

The network has billed the production, titled Warnie, as a “must-see drama event” that will be shown over two nights.

Shane’s family have now thrown their support behind plans for a telemovie about their father. Picture: Instagram

Less than two months ago Nine execs were said to be in “crisis talks” over the project, with Warne’s former manager James Erskine meeting with the network’s director of television Michael Healy and head of drama Andy Ryan in September on behalf of the family.

It stars Alex Williams as Warne, along with Anthony Hayes, Marny Kennedy and supporting cast including Jacquie Brennan, Jeremy Stanford, Ben Hall, Tom Stokes, Darcy Kent and newcomer Shanti Kali.

Warnie is produced for Nine by Screentime and will air next year.

In September Brooke, one of Warne’s three children, took to Instagram to direct her fury at the network over the drama. She wrote: “Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family? Who did so much for Channel 9 and now you want to dramatise his life and our families (sic) life 6 months after he passed away? You are beyond disrespectful.”