SeaChange makes surprise return to screens for 2019

WHO saw this coming? Beloved Australian TV show SeaChange will return for a new season in 2019 — with original stars rejoining.

Original SeaChange stars David Wenham and Sigrid Thornton.

ALMOST two decades after it left screens, beloved Australian drama series SeaChange is returning for a new season.

The surprising news came as part of the Nine Network’s announcement of its 2019 programming highlights today, and will see original stars Sigrid Thornton and John Howard return to the fold.

The pair will reprise their roles as Laura Gibson and Bob Jelly in the series, which originally aired for three seasons from 1998 to 2000. No word yet on whether other original cast members — among them David Wenham, Kerry Armstrong and Kate Atkinson — will return as well.

Sigrid Thornton and David Wenham in the original series. Will Diver Dan return?

Set in the small coastal town of Pearl Bay, the original series followed the life of magistrate Gibson as she juggled work, motherhood and romantic relationships in the eccentric town.

“Twenty years on, Laura returns to the beachside paradise of Pearl Bay. However, it seems that this time around Pearl Bay needs Laura just as much as she needs it,” Nine’s press release teases.

SeaChange: Where are the cast members now?

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to Pearl Bay. Time has passed and the world has changed, so as we revisit this rich and strange place I trust we’ll all delight in the chance to explore how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. I can hardly wait,” said Thornton in a statement.

John Howard will reprise his role.

Original creator and head writer, Deb Cox, returns as Executive Producer alongside Thornton, Fiona Eager and David Mott.

In recent years, the original seasons of SeaChange have gained new fans thanks to their availability on both Netflix and Stan.

SeaChange joins other 2019 programming highlights announced by Nine today, including new drama series Bad Mothers and a return for Nine favourites including Married At First Sight, The Block, The Voice and Australian Ninja Warrior.