Tennis Trail Blazer’s Evonne Gouragon Corey’s on-court success and behind-the-scenes exams are the subject of a new three-part series that has begun production of ABC in Melbourne.
Produced by Werner Film Productions, part of BBC Studios, Goolagong dominated women’s tennis in the 70s, winning 14 Grand Slams (7 singles and 7 doubles) as a woman from Wiradjuri who grew up in the small town of Valeran in the 70s and 60s.
Merton Kusokas plays Vic Edwards, who discovers her talent at a young age and claims that she later made undesirable progress towards her. The cast also includes Felix Mallard as Roger Cowley, a former junior British tennis player Gouragon married in 1975, and Luke Carroll as Patriach Kenny Gouragon.
Guragon Cowley, who retired in 1985 and later founded the Ebonne Gouragon Foundation to provide opportunities for Indigenous children, is a semi-producer alongside Cowley. Written by Stephen McGregor and Megan Simpson Huberman, Gouragon is produced by Joanna Werner, co-produced by Daniel McLean, and directed by Wayne Blair. Werner is also an executive producer alongside Stuart Menzies and ABC’s Brett Slay and Rachel Okiné. BBC Studios handles global sales.
Filming will be held in Melbourne and local Victoria locations in dramatic tennis matches from 1970 to 1980, at the Lawn Tennis Club in Coyon and Royal South Yarraone Tennis Club, with a dedicated set of Wimbledon Centre Court currently under construction.
The production is also being filmed in locations in Kynetton, Seaford, Seymour, Sunshine, Taralque and Woodend. Post-production and visual effects work will also be carried out in Victoria.
Guoragon is supported by the Victorian government through Vicxscreen’s Victorian Production Fund and Victorian Screen Rebates, and is expected to inject more than $9 million into the Victorian economy and create an estimated 1,300 jobs for Victorian screen workers, including 100 crew, 1,200 cast and extras, and seven skill development opportunities. The series also makes major production investments from Screen Australia.
Werner said that Gurgon’s transition to production after nearly nine years of development was “incredibly rewarding.”
“It is invaluable for Evonne and Roger to be involved as associate producers, and we are proud to tell such an important Australian story with their guidance,” she said.
“We have implemented a nationwide casting process to assemble exceptional ensembles, including exciting new talent and skilled tennis players. LilaMcGuire brings something really special to Ebonne’s role. We are excited to see the audience in this breakout role.
McLean described working on the series as one of the proudest moments of her career.
“Ebonne’s success in the tennis world has broken down barriers for our people and inspired generations,” she said.
“Her story is one of the perseverance, talent and the inner strength that helped her succeed against the odds. As a filmmaker for First Nations, I am deeply honored to help her make it happen.”
Goolagong will air on ABC TV and ABC Iview in 2026.
