3 October 2016 (2016-10-03) – 29 November 2017 (2017-11-29)
The Secret Daughter is an Australian television drama series which premiered on the Seven Network on 3 October 2016.[1] The series is written by Justin Monjo, Greg Haddrick, Louise Bowes and Keith Thompson and directed by Leah Purcell, Geoff Bennett and Paul Moloney. The drama centres on part-time country pub singer Billie Carter (Jessica Mauboy), who has a chance meeting with a wealthy city hotelier and discovers information about her family and history. The second season premiered on 8 November 2017.[2] On 17 December 2017, it was announced that The Secret Daughter would not return for a third season in 2018.[3]
Production
The series received a total of A$171,750 in funding from Screen NSW.[4] Filming on the series took place in Sydney and regional New South Wales and wrapped in June 2016.[5]
The Seven Network announced in 2016 that the series had been renewed and a second season would screen in 2017.[6] Production began in May 2017 with James Sweeny and Rachael Maza joining the cast.[7]
A distinguishing feature of the program was its musical aspect was performed almost entirely by Mauboy herself.
When she finds herself in hot water with the local people, Billie pretends to be the secret daughter of Jack Norton, a wealthy hotelier, in order to escape town, which suddenly lands her in the middle of a grieving family.
Billie is shocked when she finds out that she is Jack Norton's daughter, she tries to find her place within her new family whilst she tries to reconcile with Gus when finding out he is not her real father.
Billie's best friend Layla arrives to give her support only to become increasingly close with Jamie; and Susan's hopes for a quiet Memorial for Jack are shattered when a news story outs Billie as Jack's real daughter.
After the headliner of the Jack's Bar re-launch pulls out, Billie is forced to step up, while dealing with the fact that she is not a member of the Norton family.