Samantha Strauss
Writers
"Little less than an exploration of life’s vicissitudes, and what children can teach us, and also what the broken old can teach us. Also, quietly and deeply funny. There are some savage jokes, and some gentle ones, and many savagely gentle. A beaut." The Guardian on THE END
Samantha is an Australian writer and executive producer for film and television and co-founder of her own label PICKING SCABS, a joint venture with See-Saw Films.
In 2024 Samantha will write and showrun GROWN UPS, an 8 part series for Netflix (UK), based on the bestelling novel by Marian Keyes. This will film in Ireland and be produced by Picking Scabs and See-Saw Films.
In 2023 Samantha was the showrunner, head writer, executive producer of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, a 6 part limited series for Netflix. Starring Kaitlyn Dever and Alycia Debnam-Carey. Produced by Picking Scabs and See-Saw Films and set to air late 2024.
In 2024 Samantha wrote and executive produced THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, a 6 part series for Binge (Australia) and the BBC (UK). Based on the book by Liane Moriarty. Starring Teresa Palmer and Miranda Richardson. Produced by Made Up Stories and Blossom Films and set to air late 2024.
In 2020 Samantha wrote and executive produced NINE PERFECT STRANGERS for Hulu. Based on the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty. Starring Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale. Produced by Made up Stories and Blossom Films.
In 2019 Samantha wrote, created and executive produced 10-part series THE END for Foxtel (Australia), Sky Atlantic (UK) and Showtime (USA), produced by See-Saw Films. The Guardian described THE END as “devastating TV that shows what makes life worth living.” The Times reviewed it as “sharp and unlike anything I’ve seen.” The series was nominated for several AACTAs, AWGIES and an RTS award in the UK
In 2017 Samantha script produced and was the head writer on THE WRONG GIRL Season 2, a returning series for Network Ten (Australia), based on the bestselling novel by Zoe Foster-Blake
As an emerging writer, Sam created teen phenomenon, DANCE ACADEMY, which screens in over 160 countries and ran to 65 episodes. Sam was the head writer across the three series and wrote 25 episodes. The series was nominated for two International Emmys, won the Outstanding Children’s Series Logie awards in 2012 and 2013 and has won or been nominated for multiple AACTA awards, Asian Television awards, Sichuan Festival Golden Panda awards, Banff Television Festival and New York Festivals awards. In 2016, Samantha wrote a spin-off feature film, DANCE ACADEMY: THE MOVIE, which has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Samantha’s episodic credits include THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MONKEY (Netflix), WONDERLAND (Network Ten Australia), OFFSPRING (Network Ten Australia) and MARY: THE MAKING OF A PRINCESS (Network Ten Australia).
Sam’s upcoming projects include the feature film, NANCY & JOAN, directed by John Madden and produced by Damian Jones. Annette Bening and Sally Field are attached to star.
Sam has been nominated for seven Australian Writer’s Guild Awards and has won three times.