Nine’s Warnie biopic a ratings loser amid scathing reviews

Nine’s two-part Warnie biopic attracted more than one million viewers but not all were convinced it was worth their time. See why.

Despite continuing to attract scathing criticism from viewers, Nine’s controversial series Warnie has enjoyed a bump in ratings over the week since it aired.

The two-part biopic – which was universally ridiculed by critics and fans of the late Shane Warne - has now attracted 1.051 million viewers, when you include regional and BVOD viewing, up from 528,000 metro viewers on Sunday. The second episode saw an uplift of 34 per cent to 818,000, from 434,000 metro viewers.

However, reaction online hasn’t followed the ratings’ positive trend.

Alex Williams as Shane Warne in Warnie. Picture: Nine

One viewer wrote: “This happened and then this happened does not make a film, poor writing, lack lustre production design and lack of a real budget. Very tough market to compete in against international budgets.”

While another: “The poor ratings were better than I thought - the show was like watching a primary school production - it was a dreadful show - C grade in every facet.”

And another: “I watched the first session, and it was nothing to write home about. However, the never ending advertisements drove us crazy. Not interested in watching the second session and having to go through all that again. I give it 3.5 to 4 out of 10.”

There were few supporters. One posting: “I thought it was great, not tacky at all, coulda been, there was enough material to work on.”

‘SHOCKED I MADE IT THROUGH’: VIEWERS SLAM WARNIE SERIES

Nine’s much-touted, controversial two-part biopic series Warnie has failed to bowl viewers over, reflected in lacklustre ratings, even beaten by game show The Chase Australia on Monday night.

Scathing online reviews for Warnie saw it draw 528,000 metro viewers in its 7pm timeslot on Sunday, well down on the 719,000 eyes that tuned in for Nine drama Underbelly: Vanishing Act when it followed the ratings juggernaut MAFS last year. And metro viewers dropped off further for the second instalment on Monday.

Alex Williams and Marny Kennedy play the legendary cricketer and his former wife, Simone.

Last Sunday’s Dancing with the Stars on Seven, topped entertainment at 645,000 metro viewers, while Warnie drew 528,000, Ten’s MasterChef was in third place with 460,000.

While Monday saw Warnie attract 434,000 in the metro market with The Chase Australia taking the honours with 645,000, while Ten’s Have You Been Paying Attention with 526,000 and MasterChef 485,000 were the most watched in prime time.

Reaction has been savage about the two-part series – the first covered Warne’s early career and his various off-field scandals with Alex Williams playing the legspinner, and Monday night’s second episode focused on the Warnie’s sexual escapades, including his romance with Elizabeth Hurley (Shanti Kali in her major role).

While Shane Warne was one of Australia’s beloved characters, fans absolutely did not feel the same about the series.

The series has been slammed by Shane Warne fans.

One social media user wrote: “This is really good if you take out the actors and script and just look at the archive footage.”

“I am shocked I made it through the first 45 minutes quite possibly the worst TV show Channel 9 have ever produced, worst casting, acting and make up of any show ever,” another tweeted.

Satirical sports correspondent Titus O’Reilly didn’t even bother tuning in.

“I really enjoyed not watching the Warnie miniseries,” he tweeted.

One of his followers responded, tongue in cheek.

“You’re missing out. You would have had a field day reviewing this. It was hilariously bad to the point where I wonder if anyone involved in writing, acting or producing it will ever work again. It was a trainwreck that just kept on derailing the further it went.”

Positive comments were few and far between, although one viewer praised Williams’ performance.

“Good to job to all, especially Alex Williams who does well with Warnie’s laconic style and masterful grimace, frown and grin language,” they said.

Nine revealed it would make the controversial miniseries just six months after Warne’s sudden death in March last year. And was widely ridiculed ahead of its release as a tacky, tone deaf and unnecessary tribute to the late spin king.

AN ACCENT ON THRILLER IN TV’S MUST WATCH THIS WEEK

SIX FOUR

Saturday, Britbox

Chris (Kevin McKidd) and Michelle O’Neill (Vinette Robinson) in Six Four.

Not sure what’s more mind-bending – the content in this crime thriller based on Hideo Yokoyama’s hit novel, or Kevin McKidd from Grey’s Anatomy speaking in his native accent. (Of course we did hear it recently in Brave and Made of Honour – but still). McKidd shines as detective Chris O’Neill, who’s in somewhat of a funk career-wise when we first meet him in this gripping series set in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The four-part series first introduces us to Detective Constable Chris O’Neill and his wife Michelle (played by Sherlock’s Vinette Robinson) as they search for their teenage daughter Olivia, who has disappeared. O’Neill is also involved in revisiting a missing person cold case of a girl who disappeared 15 years before. That brings him into contact with her father, Jim Mackie (James Cosmo) and sets Chris on a collision course with his high-ranking police commissioner brother, who was involved in the original case. While the confronting subject matter was tough for the father-of-four, it wasn’t trickiest part of the shoot. That was possibly the crowd-wrangling to get some shots, with Grey’s fans flocking to get up close to Dr Owen Hunt.

HIJACK

Streaming, AppleTV+

We’d all much rather Idris Elba on a plane than the seemingly ubiquitious snake. Picture: AppleTV+

I’m sure I’m no orphan in saying give me Idris Elba, rather than snakes, on a plane any day. And if there’s one thing Elba does brilliantly, it’s tense, high-action, gripping TV. These seven eps cover in real time a flight from Dubai to London – and it’s an absolute thriller filled with a few unforeseen twists as Elba plays a passenger caught up with capable hijackers. Five people on board seek to wreak havoc among their fellow passengers with firearms and other weapons, causing Elba’s Sam Nelson – an accomplished negotiator in the business world – to step in to try and stop them.

ANIMALS ABOARD WITH DR HARRY

Wednesday, 7.30pm, Seven

Dr Harry Cooper’s new show goes behind the scenes of transporting animals. Picture: Seven

Hosted by Australia’s favourite vet – although Dr Chris Brown fans might disagree with Seven’s promo statement – Dr Harry Cooper, this new series goes behind the scenes of the multimillion-dollar animal travel industry. From rescue organisations rehoming unwanted pets to journeying to remote islands with Australia’s Border Force drug detection dogs and witnessing the tricky transit of dangerous, rare or large exotic creatures, such as giraffe Azizi, between zoos, it’s quite an interesting look at the logistics involved.

A LIFE IN TEN PICTURES

Thursday, 8pm, ABC

Debbie Reynolds with her daughter Carrie Fisher. Picture: Dove/Evening Standard/Getty Images

This fascinating series examining the lives of extraordinary people through 10 unique photographs returns for its second series. Each one of the six episodes turns the camera on a celebrated person from recent history, including movie stars, politicians and cultural figures such as Nelson Mandela, Bruce Lee and Robin Williams. First up is Carrie Fisher and we hear from her childhood friends and family, including her brother Todd, as they reveal the real feelings behind some of her iconic photos. Like the black and white one of her and Todd joining their legendary mum Debbie Reynolds on stage in Vegas – while Carrie is beaming in the shot, moments before she was almost hyperventilating off stage.

DEADLOCH

Friday, Prime Video

Yes, they’re good. Deadloch creators Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney have everyone still guessing who the town’s killer is. Picture: BEN KING

It might be a little cliched to say you’ll be guessing all the way to the end of this laugh-out-loud whodunit, but it’s true. I still haven’t picked the killer, and I usually pride myself on having an inkling for these things. But that’s just how damn good the Kates’ writing is. In this penultimate episode, men start fleeing the town as more bodies are recovered and a shocking pact is revealed. It’s still sitting at No.1 for the streamer in Australia and is being lapped up overseas too, staying in the top 10 most-watched TV shows since its release. As the Kates just said: “We are delighted that so many people around the world are discovering the not-so-sleepy town of Deadloch with its lesbian choir, resident harbour seal and increasing tally of dead men. We hope more people visit soon …”

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Friday, 7.30pm, Ten

Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie bring their expert knowledge and sense of fun to the new version of Location, Location, Location Australia. Picture: Ten

Property gurus Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie have been around, well, the block a couple of times. But this time they’re not building them from the ground up – they’re, instead, finding fabulous dream homes for other people. The pair has been buying, renovating and selling houses together since 2005 and they’re the perfect hosts for Ten’s take on the popular international franchise with their expert knowledge, mixed in with their sense of fun and flair.

Warning – it’s not all fairytale endings on the show, especially given the somewhat dismal property market, but it is still a rather inspiring watch.

JACK RYAN

Friday, Prime Video

John Krasinksi is back for the fourth instalment of Jack Ryan. Picture: Prime Video

This fourth and final season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan finds John Krasinki as the titular character on his most dangerous mission yet: facing an enemy both foreign and domestic. He returns for yet another season of thrills and spills, along with Elizabeth Wright, as Ryan aims to steady the CIA ship and take the agency back to its elite status. As the new Acting Deputy Director, Ryan is tasked with unearthing internal corruption and, in doing so, uncovers a series of suspicious black ops that could expose the vulnerability of the country.

THE COOK UP WITH ADAM LIAW

Weekdays from Monday, 7pm, SBS and on demand

Adam Liaw's The Cook up will reach 500 episodes this season. Picture: SBS

This is the fifth season of Adam Liaw’s delightful half-hour of cooking with a side serve of laughs, and it will notch up 500 episodes this series. It kicks off with a week-long celebration for NAIDOC Week with guest host Nornie Bero – of Melbourne’s Mabu Mabu – taking over the reins for the week. Guests, including Gail Mabo and Damian Coulthard, will cook delicious food and share stories.Then the Cook Up will return to normal programming with two foodie friends each episode such as Khanh Ong, Nina Oyama, Osher Günsberg and Adam Spencer, chatting and cooking with Liaw.

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BAKE OFF

Tuesday, 8.30pm, Foxtel

Great Australian Bake Off host Natalie Tran loves blue cheese.

It’s Winter Week and the nine remaining bakers have three challenging pastry tasks to tackle. “It’s my favourite week – all the yummiest things loaded with butter,” says Felicity, and she’s definitely a woman after my own heart. Her savoury breakfast chorizo palmiers look mouthwateringly good, as do Neil’s silverbeet and three-cheese rolls. “Blue cheese – is there anything better?,” host Natalie Tran asks him. “Family, loved ones, who cares – blue cheese.” Again, I concur.

61ST STREET

Tuesday, Stan

Franklin Roberts (Courtney B. Vance) and Moses Johnson (Tosin Cole) in 61st Street. Picture: Supplied

The whole first season will be available this week, with season two eps dropping weekly of this American legal drama following Moses Johnson (Tosin Cole), a promising black high school athlete who gets swept up in the Chicago criminal justice system when he is arrested as a supposed gang member. Franklin Roberts (Courtney B. Vance), who has promised his wife that he will retire as a public defender, takes on Johnson’s case. It’s a little bit Law & Order mixed in with a taste of showrunner Peter Moffat’s other series such as Your Honor.