Full Name
Samantha Strauss
Company
Picking Scabs
Title
Writer and Executive Producer
Biography
Samantha is an Australian writer and executive producer for film and television and co-founder of her own label PICKING SCABS, a joint venture with See-Saw Films.
In 2025 Samantha will write and showrun GROWN UPS, an 8-part series for Netflix UK, based on the bestelling novel by Marian Keyes. This will film in Ireland and be produced by Picking Scabs and See-Saw Films.
In 2023/24 Samantha was the showrunner, head writer and executive producer of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, a 6 part limited series for Netflix.
In 2023 Samantha wrote and executive produced THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, a 6 part series for Binge Australia and the BBC. Based on the book by Liane Moriarty. Starring Teresa Palmer and Miranda Richardson. Produced by Made Up Stories and Blossom Films.
In 2020 Samantha wrote and executive produced NINE PERFECT STRANGERS for Hulu. Based on the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty. Starring Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale. Produced by Made up Stories and Blossom Films.
In 2019 Samantha wrote, created and executive produced 10-part series THE END for Foxtel (Australia), Sky Atlantic (UK) and Showtime (USA), produced by See-Saw Films. TThe series was nominated for several AACTAs, AWGIES and an RTS award in the UK
In 2017 Samantha script produced and was the head writer on THE WRONG GIRL Season 2, based on the bestselling novel by Zoe Foster-Blake.
As an emerging writer, Sam created teen phenomenon, DANCE ACADEMY, which screens in over 160 countries and ran to 65 episodes. Sam was the head writer across the three series and wrote 25 episodes. The series was nominated for two International Emmys, won the Outstanding Children’s Series Logie awards in 2012 and 2013 and has won or been nominated for multiple AACTA awards, Asian Television awards, Sichuan Festival Golden Panda awards, Banff Television Festival and New York Festivals awards. In 2016, Samantha wrote a spin-off feature film, DANCE ACADEMY: THE MOVIE, which has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Samantha’s episodic credits include THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MONKEY (Netflix), WONDERLAND (Network Ten Australia), OFFSPRING (Network Ten Australia) and MARY: THE MAKING OF A PRINCESS (Network Ten Australia).
Sam’s upcoming projects include feature film, NANCY & JOAN, directed by John Madden and produced by Damian Jones. Annette Bening and Sally Field are attached to star.
Sam has been nominated for seven Australian Writer’s Guild Awards and has won three times.
In 2025 Samantha will write and showrun GROWN UPS, an 8-part series for Netflix UK, based on the bestelling novel by Marian Keyes. This will film in Ireland and be produced by Picking Scabs and See-Saw Films.
In 2023/24 Samantha was the showrunner, head writer and executive producer of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, a 6 part limited series for Netflix.
In 2023 Samantha wrote and executive produced THE LAST ANNIVERSARY, a 6 part series for Binge Australia and the BBC. Based on the book by Liane Moriarty. Starring Teresa Palmer and Miranda Richardson. Produced by Made Up Stories and Blossom Films.
In 2020 Samantha wrote and executive produced NINE PERFECT STRANGERS for Hulu. Based on the bestselling novel by Liane Moriarty. Starring Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Cannavale. Produced by Made up Stories and Blossom Films.
In 2019 Samantha wrote, created and executive produced 10-part series THE END for Foxtel (Australia), Sky Atlantic (UK) and Showtime (USA), produced by See-Saw Films. TThe series was nominated for several AACTAs, AWGIES and an RTS award in the UK
In 2017 Samantha script produced and was the head writer on THE WRONG GIRL Season 2, based on the bestselling novel by Zoe Foster-Blake.
As an emerging writer, Sam created teen phenomenon, DANCE ACADEMY, which screens in over 160 countries and ran to 65 episodes. Sam was the head writer across the three series and wrote 25 episodes. The series was nominated for two International Emmys, won the Outstanding Children’s Series Logie awards in 2012 and 2013 and has won or been nominated for multiple AACTA awards, Asian Television awards, Sichuan Festival Golden Panda awards, Banff Television Festival and New York Festivals awards. In 2016, Samantha wrote a spin-off feature film, DANCE ACADEMY: THE MOVIE, which has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Samantha’s episodic credits include THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MONKEY (Netflix), WONDERLAND (Network Ten Australia), OFFSPRING (Network Ten Australia) and MARY: THE MAKING OF A PRINCESS (Network Ten Australia).
Sam’s upcoming projects include feature film, NANCY & JOAN, directed by John Madden and produced by Damian Jones. Annette Bening and Sally Field are attached to star.
Sam has been nominated for seven Australian Writer’s Guild Awards and has won three times.
Speaking At
Country (Address)
Australia
