Shane Warne dramatised miniseries slammed as ‘despicable’

Pre-production of a Nine miniseries dramatising the cricketing great’s life on and off the field was up and running within just three weeks of his death.

A Nine miniseries on Shane Warne has been slammed as ‘despicable’. Picture: Eugene Hyland

An unauthorised biopic around the sensational life of Shane Warne has been slammed as “despicable” and “distasteful” by those closest to the late spin king.

Pre-production of the Nine miniseries dramatising the cricketing great’s life and antics on-and-off the field was up and running within just three weeks of his death.

Now, casting agents are looking to fill the role of cricket’s most charismatic player.

But Nine may first feel the anger of the tight knit group that formed around the greatest bowler in Australian history.

They have labelled the production as “appalling,” saying the family was “never approached for their blessing or input.”

Warne was part of the Nine commentary team. Picture: Getty

Warne’s long time manager, James Erskine, was livid, telling Page 13 he would be contacting Nine chairman Peter Costello and would not rule out taking legal action to prevent the drama series from going ahead.

“He’s only been dead for a couple of months and for them to turn this around and think about doing some sensational thing, well they should be ashamed of themselves,” Erskine said.

“I will be writing to Peter Costello because he is their chairman and saying, please explain.”

Erskine said it was especially “disheartening” given Warne had worked at the network for the best part of his post-cricket life and had close bonds with everyone from former Nine boss Kerry Packer, son James and former Nine CEO David Gyngell.

Warne worked at Channel 9 as a commentator for more than 23 years where he was one of the most revered analysts of the game.

Shortly after Warne’s death, Nine’s head of content Andy Ryan confirmed the production, which has been slated for a 2023 airdate.

Warne’s Australian cricket team portrait in 2006. Picture: Getty

“Like the man himself this miniseries will be larger than life, entertaining, confronting thought-provoking,” Ryan stated.

“We want to explore what made Warnie so special and why he had such a powerful effect on people.

“He was a sporting legend, a national treasure, international kind of icon. He was also a larrikin, a rogue and a charmer and a flawed man.

“The national outpouring of grief over his passing had shown us, if we needed telling, just what a sort of impact he’s had on the national conversation.”

“He was an icon in all cricketing playing countries, but also all around the world.

“We will be making a premium quality drama with international appeal.”

Rival network Seven dropped plans for a miniseries around Warne’s life in 2016 after biopics on Olivia Newton-John and Paul Hogan fell flat. It’s understood the spin king was fiercely opposed to a dramatisation of his life, instead rolling his arm over in the acclaimed Warne documentary.

In 2016 and in true Warnie style, the spin king threatened to take legal action against Channel 9 despite being on the payroll.

Warne with then-fiancee Liz Hurley in 2013. Picture: AFP

A Weekend Today host had described him as “cheesy” and like a “creepy uncle” after he tweeted to model Emily Ratajkowski’s Twitter account.

Famous for his roguish sense of humour (although he didn’t always see the funny side of things) he later posted:

“I’ve been employed by Channel 9 for 23 years and have gone out of my way to give the Today show my time, not anymore, lawyer time I think.”

Erskine was also firing up:

“There’s been such an outpouring,” he said yesterday. “At Lords, the first Test was in memory of Shane Warne and they had 23 seconds of clapping.”

Erskine said the way the Victorian Government handled events following Warne’s death “was just unbelievable. How the kids spoke. It was all just sensational, it really was.

“Why would Nine even go there. It’s a disgrace and I will certainly be making my voice heard.”

Just how much more spin is Channel 9 going to put on its grab for a buck at the Warne family’s expense?