ON ISLAND - The TV Series

In 2022 Rie started working on a TV adaptation of her island trilogy novels. The story, On Island, revolves around Julie Hunter and her tangled relationships with her family and friends, and her life on the vineyard.

On Island is a tale of perseverance. As Julie battles to make her dreams a reality, viewers are left questioning whether the vineyard will represent triumph or defeat. The series explores complex female characters, heavy themes like betrayal and the consequences of past actions and employ a coastal setting that enhances the emotional isolation of the characters.

On Island distinguishes itself with its vineyard backdrop and a more rural, rustic environment that contrasts beautifully with the high-stakes world of law and business. This setting adds a unique texture to the series, and it’s clear that these two worlds will clash as the series unfolds. With its mix of heartfelt moments and stunning scenery, this series is poised to be a must-watch for fans of drama, family relationships, and bold aspirations.

After winning numerous awards for the pilot script, Rie was connected to award-winning screenwriter/showrunner Jon Cooksey. Jon is a writer/showrunner who has worked in all genres of film, television, and digital and has created entertainment that has resonated with millions of viewers around the world. His work in TV includes youth-oriented series from Rugrats to So Weird, as well as adaptations of Fern Michaels’ Sisterhood series and Mary Higgins Clark’s novel Before I Say Goodbye.

He’s developed 19 pilots for various production companies and networks, including Comedy Central, FX, and ITV (UK), and has run series for Disney Channel and Nickelodeon in the US and for Rogers, Global, CBC, and Space in Canada. Altogether he’s produced over 150 hours of TV and won or been nominated for Emmy, Humanitas, Gemini, Leo, Cable Ace, and Canadian Screen Awards. He’s a dual citizen of Canada and America and lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest making him the perfect partner to bring this series to life.

SERIES OVERVIEW

The series opens with JULIE HUNTER and JASON BENALLY, childhood sweethearts whose lives have always been torn between their individual dreams and their relationship. They return to the small island in the Pacific Northwest where they grew up, each facing pivotal crossroads. Julie's dreams of becoming a successful winemaker have crumbled after her family’s high-profile bankruptcy, and now she’s determined to restore the family vineyard. Meanwhile, Jason’s career as a professional bull rider is taking off, and he wants Julie to join him on tour so they can finally be together—and so he can chase his shot at fame.

As Julie and Jason return home, their friend NICK REID is leaving the island to take a position at a prestigious law firm in the city—a career path that once tore his father away and ultimately cost him his soul. Nick is leaving behind his sister, EVIE REID, Julie’s best friend, who has always been content with a simpler life on the island. However, Evie’s happiness is shattered by a surprising secret, one she intends to share with Julie—only to discover that Julie, still reeling from the fallout of her shattered dreams, is struggling to connect.

Into this emotional void steps SHAYE RICHARDS, a semi-outsider harboring her own secrets as she escapes an academic expulsion and takes refuge in her family’s abandoned mansion on the island. Together, these friends embark on a journey full of humor, emotion, and relatable struggles as they confront their fears, ambitions, and the complex bonds that tie them to each other and the island they call home.

ON ISLAND - The TV Series

SERIES OVERVIEW

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