Channel 9’s ‘Warnie’ miniseries slammed as ‘disgraceful’

A new miniseries about the life of cricket legend Shane Warne has been blasted as “embarrassing” after a promo was aired.

Alex Williams will play Shane Warne. Picture: Supplied

Channel 9’s upcoming telemovie “Warnie” is already generating a stir after the release of a trailer during the State of Origin Broadcast.

Lead actor Alex Williams, known for his portrayal of Julian Assange in Channel 10’s Underground: The Julian Assange Story, is featured prominently in the teaser.

In the trailer, Williams is captured with Shane Warnes iconic bleached blonde hair, sun tan, and zinc sunscreen on his lips. His transformation into the legendary spin king is so striking that it might make viewers do a double take.

However, the miniseries has faced criticism from Warne’s eldest daughter, Brooke.

She expressed her disapproval of Channel 9’s decision to dramatise her father’s life so soon after his passing, calling it “beyond disrespectful” to the Warne family.

Marny Kennedy has been cast as Warne‘s ex-wife, Simone, while Jacquie Brennan from “Wentworth” will portray his mother, Brigitte.

Tom Stokes will take on the role of Warne’s friend and fellow cricket great, Steve Waugh. British actor Shanti Kali has been cast as supermodel and actor Liz Hurley, who was in a high-profile relationship with Warne from 2011 to 2013.

Tragically, Warne passed away at the age of 52 from a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis while vacationing on the island of Ko Samui, Thailand, in March last year.

Channel 9 confirmed the production of the miniseries only six months after Warne‘s death. The telemovie is scheduled to air over two nights later this year.

Friends and family members close to the Aussie cricketing great were also reportedly left unimpressed with Channel 9 after it confirmed in July that it was producing the film, mere months after his death.

“With the extra media scrutiny created by dad’s passing I need to stay mindful to deal with the attention,” Brooke Warne said via the Herald Sun once the movie was announced.

“Especially with the negative aspect, such as the total disrespect shown by Channel 9 in creating a biopic about dad so soon after he passed.”

The airing of the promo also sparked intense reaction on social media.

“Are Channel 9 taking the piss with the Warnie mini series. That promo was sh*thouse, embarrassing and disgraceful. Let him rest in peace,” one person wrote on Twitter.

“OMG !!! I just saw the Warnie promo ….. it’s a crime against acting, entertainment & brain cells,” another wrote.

Does anyone else think it’s too soon for a ‘Warnie’ show on @Channel9?

He hasn’t even been gone for 15 months, and already the show seems filmed and ready to release

How quickly after his passing did someone go ‘yep it’s time to make a show on his life’?

Or am I too nit-picky?

— Jack Blyth (@jblesfooty224) May 31, 2023

On the YeahNah scale the Warnie TV drama series look like a massive nah #Origin

— Anthony Sharwood ❄️ (@antsharwood) May 31, 2023

Alex Williams will play Shane Warne. Picture: Supplied

Brooke, 24, previously criticised plans for the telemovie when its sensitivity was questioned in a conversation between Nine presenter Jo Hall and radio personality Dee Dee Dunleavy.

Warne wrote on her Instagram story: “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 family’s life six months after he passed away? You are beyond disrespectful.”

It was reported earlier this year pre-production for the two-part movie, which has been slated for a 2023 airdate, was up and running within three weeks of his death.

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

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

Following his retirement in 2007, Warne worked as a Channel 9 commentator before the cricket’s broadcast rights were purchased by Channel 7 and Foxtel in 2018.

Earlier this year, Amazon Prime released documentary film Shane, which explored the cricketer’s feats on the field and scandals off it.

In March, the sporting world was left distraught after Warne died in Thailand of a heart attack, aged 52.

He was father to Brooke, as well as son Jackson and daughter Summer.