IF you sauntered down Parry Street this week you may have seen the buzz of a film crew producing a new series about notorious Australian bank robber and “Postcard Bandit”, Brenden Abbott. 

The series, which has yet to be named, will follow the story of “highly intelligent criminal” and “professional bank robber” Abbott, who robbed between 40 and 50 banks around Australia in the ‘80s and ‘90s. 

Abbott, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence at Casuarina Prison, grew up in the Perth Hills and is referred to as a “minor genius” who was known to follow patterns of security behaviour and meticulous disguises to carry out his robberies.

• Oscar Redding as Reynolds, sidekick to George Mason’s Brenden Abbott. Photo supplied

In 1989, Abbott, who had been caught stealing $112,000 from a Perth bank, successfully escaped Fremantle Prison and went on the run for six years before he was captured in 1995. 

Abbott was also known to have used diamond-encrusted wire to break out of another prison in Queensland in 1997 and was not recaptured for six months. 

Then re-imprisoned in Queensland, he was extradited to WA in 2016, and will be eligible for parole in 2026. 

The series was commissioned by Foxtel and is produced by Warner Brothers Australia, and is based on Derek Pedley’s book Australian Outlaw: The True Story of Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott. 

Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall says she is “pleased” the series is being filmed in WA, with over 520 jobs generated and approximately $7 million injected into the state’s economy. 

“The production shows growing momentum in our screen industry and reinforces our growing reputation as a destination for high-quality screen production,” Ms Bestall said. 

“[Screenwest] looks forward to seeing the talented cast and crew bring this story to life here in WA.” 

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER