New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey is set to take on one of Australia’s most notorious true crime stories, starring as Erin Patterson in a new Paramount+ drama series about the deadly mushroom lunch that made headlines around the world.
The six-part limited series, titled Mushroom Murders, will follow the 97 days between the infamous lunch in regional Victoria in July 2023 and Patterson’s eventual arrest. Lynskey, best known for her roles in Yellowjackets and The Last of Us, will portray Patterson and serve as an executive producer on the project.
In July 2023, Patterson hosted a lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, serving individual beef Wellingtons to four guests – her estranged husband’s parents and relatives. The meal contained highly toxic death cap mushrooms, resulting in the deaths of three people, while the fourth survived after spending weeks in hospital.
The case attracted international attention and became one of Australia’s most widely followed criminal investigations. Patterson was subsequently arrested in November 2023 and, in July 2025, was found guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Rather than focusing on the subsequent trial, Mushroom Murders will explore the period immediately following the lunch, tracing the events that unfolded before Patterson was taken into custody.
The series has been created by Anya Beyersdorf (Fake, Apple Cider Vinegar), Daina Reid (The Handmaid’s Tale, Run Rabbit Run) and Deb Balderstone (Ticket to Paradise, Palm Beach).
Reid will direct all six episodes and serve as an executive producer, while Beyersdorf will lead the writing team alongside Dianne Taylor (After the Party) and Belinda Chayko (Fires). Produced by SOAPBOX PICTURES, the series will also be executive produced by Balderstone, Xavier Marchand, Sophia Mogford and Lynskey.
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“This is an ambitious series that brings a gripping real-life story, that captivated Australia and the world, to the screen with the scale, quality and creative vision audiences expect from Paramount+. It is a powerful addition to our growing slate of premium storytelling, and we are delighted to partner with such an exceptional creative team to share it with viewers around the world,” said Beverley McGarvey, president of Network 10 and head of streaming at Paramount Australia.
“We are also thrilled to welcome Melanie Lynskey, whose remarkable talent will be integral to the series both on screen and as an executive producer.”
The series is among several new Australian productions announced as part of Paramount’s 2027 slate, alongside true crime documentary Hedley Thomas Investigates, children’s series Sam Kerr Kicking Goals and The Inspired Unemployed Sketch Show. Returning local favourites include Last King of the Cross for a third season and NCIS: Sydney for a fourth, while Australian Survivor, MasterChef Australia and The Traitors Australia are also set to return.
Paramount+ is also expanding its international scripted slate, with upcoming projects including a Clueless sequel series featuring Alicia Silverstone’s return as Cher Horowitz, Laird starring Kenneth Branagh and Ascent led by Viola Davis. Elsewhere, the streamer has greenlit The Best of Us starring Jeremy Strong, Fear Not featuring Anne Hathaway and Discretion starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning.
A premiere date for Mushroom Murders is yet to be announced.
