EAST WEST 101 - the creative process (part 1)

As one of the creators of the show EAST WEST 101, I would like to reveal some of the creative processes involved in our storytelling.


Steve Knapman and I usually take months to come up with a concept. Then we research, research, research. In the case of East West 101, we talk to our consultant detectives. I can’t give you their names because some of them are still working undercover. Their contribution has been enormous. Their advice and ideas give the show veracity and authenticity.

Steve and I start our creative process by talking, sometimes arguing, about characters and events. We are always looking for situations which mean our characters have to make a choice under pressure. We pile on the pressure. The characters are in trouble but we’re having fun!

In Season one we asked the real Muslim detective – what’s the worst thing that could happen to you? He revealed that one of his fears was that some enemy criminal would try and set him up with explosives to make him look like a terrorist. Well, of course, we put that into drama and the scenes where Detective Zane Malik has to deal with being interrogated by the Anti Terror police are terrific and allow us to reveal some of our consultant’s very real fears.

Season 1 will commence on SBS Tuesday August 18 at 8.30pm. NEW Season 2 follows immediately and PREMIERES September 29 at 8.30pm.