BBC acquires ’50s-set drama based on ‘legendary true-life story’

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The BBC will be showing the Australian drama Goolagang next month on BBC Four and through its iPlayer streaming service. The show is based on the true story of a famous tennis player.

The story begins in the late 1950s and follows Evonne Goolagong from her childhood in New South Wales, where she first fell in love with tennis, through her impressive career of winning over a dozen Grand Slam titles and breaking down social obstacles.

Her journey to success has been incredibly challenging. She’s faced obstacles like a problematic coach, a serious injury that almost ended her career, and discrimination because of her Aboriginal heritage.

As a gamer, I’ve seen a lot of stories follow the same pattern: someone with skill and drive overcomes tough challenges to win. Apparently, the BBC’s Nick Lee thinks the movie Goolagong does that really well, and with a lot of heart, too.

Tennis fans will definitely enjoy learning about Evonne’s life and matches, but the show’s honest portrayal of the human spirit will resonate with everyone, regardless of their knowledge of her career.

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I’m so excited about this new miniseries! It’s going to be three episodes long, each about an hour, and the cast is amazing. Lila McGuire from The Twelve, Felix Mallard who I loved in Ginny & Georgia, and even Marton Csokas from The Lord of the Rings are all going to be in it!

So, a real tennis star is actually one of the people making this show, which is awesome! And get this – she might even pop up in the show as an actress! It’s pretty cool to see someone from the sport involved on both sides of the camera.

The show first launched in Australia in January and was well-received by reviewers there.

According to The Guardian, the show is more profound than typical sports biopics. They highlighted its respectful and understated tone, noting that it avoids sensationalism and focuses on genuine achievement, while still showcasing the character’s victories.

Both TV Tonight and The Conversation praised McGuire’s performance, with TV Tonight calling the show “lovingly produced” and highlighting her standout performance. The Conversation described McGuire as “sublime” and also commended the show’s beautifully balanced visuals.

Goolagang will air on BBC Four and stream on iPlayer in June.

Check out our Streaming Guide to quickly find where you can watch all your favorite shows and movies.

I’m so excited! The latest issue of Living Legends is out, and it’s a special collector’s edition all about the royal family! You can grab a copy of The Royals at any newsagent or order it online – I already have mine!

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2026-05-16 12:49