Black Ladies' Premiere Date, Cast, Preview, Episodes, Exclusive Interview, and All Relevant Details

In the vibrant city of Sydney, 1961, the Goodes Department Store serves as a bustling hub of fashion and commerce, and a reflection of the era's societal dynamics. This is the setting for the much-anticipated series, "Ladies in Black," set six months after the movie version and offering a nuanced look at early 1960s Australia and its changing society.

At the heart of the store, Magda Szombathelyi (Debi Mazar) prepares to open an avant-garde fashion boutique, but is forced to return to Goodes due to a business investment. Meanwhile, Magda's ambitious assistant, Angela Mansour (Azizi Donnelly), cons her way into the store with ulterior motives.

Among the key characters is Lisa Miles (Clare Hughes), a booksmart student with dreams of becoming a journalist. Lisa's life takes an unexpected turn when her mother, Dorothy Miles, who has never had a job, a bank account, or made a life decision on her own until her husband's sudden death, finds herself joining the Goodes team.

The series also introduces us to Elias Khalil (no further details provided), the creative head of visual marketing at Goodes, who pretends to be an uninspiring clerk at home. Elias's counterpart, Kevin McKenzie (Todd McKenney), the Chief Buyer, is a sleazy, predatory character who is hostile towards anyone trying to modernize the shop and has intentions to overthrow Magda.

Rudi Janosi (no further details provided) focuses on growing his transport business to provide for his family, while his wife Fay Janosi (Jessica de Gouw) reconsiders starting a family after her husband racks up debts. Fay's journey is further complicated when her husband borrows money intended for her boutique, causing problems.

The watchful General Manager of Goodes, Mr Ryder (Huw Higginson), faces challenges to his conservative business approach as the store begins to lose ground to its rivals, particularly in the realm of ladies fashion. This tension is heightened by the arrival of George Szombathelyi, Stefan's secret son, who has landed in Australia with nowhere else to go, causing waves.

The series also delves into the struggles faced by immigrants and Indigenous Australians during this time. Adam Conroy (Ngali Shaw), an indigenous man working at Goodes, aspires to move from the loading dock into menswear, but faces tradition, racism, and discrimination in his pursuit of a customer-facing role.

Costume Designer Marion Boyce delved into her vintage clothes collection for the series, using pieces that have never been seen before in any of her previous on-screen work. The series also contains differences to the original story and subsequent film, with the introduction of new characters like Angela, the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, Englishwoman Mrs Virginia Ambrose, store buyer Kevin McKenzie, and window dresser Elias Khalil.

Producer Greer Simpkin describes Goodes as a microcosm of early 1960s Australia, highlighting the obstacles faced by women, immigrants, and Indigenous Australians during that time. The series is a must-watch for those interested in Australian history and culture, and a captivating drama for anyone seeking a glimpse into the past.

"Ladies in Black" season 1 is set to stream on U from Saturday, 12 July 2025.