First look at cast for Shane Warne telemovie

Filming for of the Shane Warne telemovie is in full swing — and Eddie McGuire could be one the to thank for getting the series up and running.

Actor Alex Williams is playing Shane Warne in the upcoming telemovie.

Alex Williams looks to have settled in to one of the biggest roles of his acting career after transforming into Shane Warne for the controversial new series, Warnie.

Williams, who was nominated for a Logie in 2013 for Most Popular New Male Talent after playing Julian Assange in a Network 10 film, looked the part of the late cricket great after filming began this week on the drama to be shown next year over two nights.

The production went ahead after talks between Warne’s family, his former manager James Erskine and Screentime.

Nine confirmed that meeting was facilitated by Eddie McGuire who helped initiate peace talks after Warne’s daughter Brooke slammed Channel 9 for making a series so soon after her father’s sudden death in March.

First photos from the set of ’Warnie’.

The network said on Thursday that it won’t be salacious with the intent to continue consulting with the family while celebrating the life of the popular cricket figure.

“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.

Eddie McGuire played a key role in the crisis talks that eventually saw Warne’s family give permission for the series to go ahead. Picture: Supplied/SDP

“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.”

It will be filmed across four weeks in bayside Melbourne and also stars Marny Kennedy as Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan — she was seen alongside Williams wearing a prosthetic baby bump.

Other actors include Anthony Hayes, Jacquie Brennan, Jeremy Stanford, Ben Hall, Tom Stokes, Darcy Kent and newcomer Shanti Kali.