Fake: Is this bloke for real?

Fake is one of those polarising television series. You’re either going to love it or you’re going to hate it — there’s no in-between.

The Paramount series is about a woman who meets a man on a dating app.

Her first reaction is to walk away, but he contacts her again and she agrees to a second date.

A relationship develops and at first things go well, but then doubt starts to creep in.

Specifically, she and the viewers begin to wonder if Burt is the man he makes out to be, or is he something else all together?

Fake stars Asher Keddie (Offspring) as magazine writer Birdie Bell and David Wenham (Seachange) as a charming, knockabout grazier named Joe Burt.

There’s just the one season of eight episodes, but that’s more than sufficient and there’s been no talk of a second series.

Keddie and Wenham are are a joy to watch in their first appearance together, as are the supporting cast.

Bell has been out of circulation romantically for a few years, but friends and family suggest this could be the one.

She soon begins to believe it herself, but there’s something amiss and you’ll soon find yourself wondering why she continues to put up with so much for so long before finally calling Burt out.

It’s apparent to us, but then Bell isn’t seeing things from our perspective and frankly she can’t believe the dream is starting to slip away (again).

Fake is based on the real-life experience of journalist Stephanie Wood and the man who conned, and controlled and manipulated her — even rape some might suggest? 

Created by screenwriter Anya Beyersdorf and directed by Emma Freeman ( (Secret City, Glitch, The Newsreader) , Jennifer Leacey and Taylor Ferguson.

 Three episodes were written by Hyun Lee and Jessica Tuckwell.

The series is produced by Kindling Pictures, led by Imogen Banks and Emelyne Palmer.

The series received a major production investment from Paramount ANZ and Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen.

The series also stars Janet Andrewartha, Nicholas Brown, Anne Charleston, Heather Mitchell, Ming-Zhu Hii, Louisa Mignone, Spencer McLaren, Jack Sandle and Greg Stone.

Keddie is terrific as the emotionally conflicted Bell, driven to the verge of a breakdown by the on and off again relationship.

Wenham does what Wenham does best, stepping into the shoes of a man who has no compunction preying on emotionally vulnerable women for his own gain — even his own mother.

In case you’re wondering, Fake was filmed in Melbourne and other regional Victorian locations.

The production team spent several days in western Victoria to shoot scenes at the historic mansion Langi Willi, Eldorado.

It was a stand-in for the country property in the NSW Southern Highlands that the real Joe took Bell to see and that he made out he was buying.

Fake explores the elements  of love, trust, and the complexities of authenticity in our contemporary world. 

The story remains true to the book and is an accurate portrayal of the lengths narcissists will go to deceive and betray those closest to them, destroying them emotionally and often financially too.

Yes, it’s predictable . . . but that’s the nature of the story.

You can catch Fake on Paramount+.

 

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