Miranda Otto's Taxi Role Drives Demand for 'Thou Shalt Not Steal

# **Miranda Otto's Unexpected Star Turn Drives 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' to U.S. Screens on October 6** A quiet, single‑player streaming service is making waves in the entertainment world by landing two foreign dramas that promise to pull viewers into unfamiliar terrain.

The Network, the ad‑free platform that launched a year ago under the direction of Aram Rappaport, has secured the U.S. distribution rights to *Thou Shalt Not Steal*—an Australian road‑trip saga starring Miranda Otto—and the Scandinavian gem *The Trio*, a SkyShowtime original that follows three university‑age lovers across two decades.

The timing is no coincidence: *Thou Shalt Not Steal* will premiere on October 6, while *The Trio* is set to debut on November 17, giving the network a carefully staggered schedule that builds anticipation.

The move underscores the growing appetite for international content in the U.S. market, especially content that doesn’t fit the formulaic mold of blockbuster franchises.

By spotlighting two distinct narratives—one rooted in the vast, unforgiving outback of Australia and the other steeped in the intimate, emotional politics of Nordic romance—The Network signals its commitment to quality storytelling over mainstream appeal.

The platform’s strategy of launching one show at a time allows it to give each series the full attention of its subscriber base, building a dedicated audience before moving on to the next project. --- ## Background & Context *Thou Shalt Not Steal* is a coming‑of‑age journey that follows Robyn, a young woman freshly released from juvenile detention.

With a dying grandfather’s final instructions—to return an old racing trophy and meet a father she thought dead—Robyn sets off across the Australian outback. Along the way she steals a cab from Maxine (Miranda Otto), a former sex worker turned taxi driver, partners with a shrewd pastor, and falls for his troubled son.

The narrative interweaves themes of self‑deception, redemption, and the harsh realities of a society that often fails its young. Created by Tanith Glynn‑Maloney and Dylan River, the show was originally greenlit by Australian streaming giant Stan, then produced by Ludo Studio and Since 1788 Productions.

All episodes were directed by River, who expressed a clear vision: > “This story wasn’t made for mainstream audiences and algorithms.

From the middle of the Australian Outback to landing on the other side of the globe, The Network feels like the perfect platform for this show to find a home in the USA.” — Dylan River *The Trio* taps into a different vein of storytelling.

Adapted from Johanna Hedman’s best‑selling novel and produced by SF Studios, the series chronicles the intertwined lives of three university students.

Rebecka Harper, Felix Sandman, and Seth Manteus portray the protagonists, while writer Veronica Zacco’s script weaves past and present, and director Anders Hazelius brings a cinematic sensibility to the narrative.

The show’s premise—university days reexamined through the eyes of a middle‑aged professor and his daughter—offers a reflective look at how youthful passion can shape adult identity.

By pairing this with *Thou Shalt Not Steal*, The Network showcases a duality: rugged, frontier adventure and introspective, character‑driven drama. --- ## What Happens Next Looking ahead, The Network’s acquisition strategy sets the stage for a broader vision.

By debuting *Thou Shalt Not Steal* in October and following with *The Trio* in November, the platform is building momentum. The staggered rollout allows the service to focus marketing efforts on each show, creating dedicated fan communities before moving on.

Beyond the two series, The Network has already added titles such as Steve Coogan’s *Chivalry* and *The Doll Factory*, led by Esmé Creed‑Miles, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to niche, internationally produced shows.

The Network’s decision to acquire these series reflects a broader shift toward curating thoughtful, high‑quality programming rather than chasing mass‑market trends. --- The arrival of *Thou Shalt Not Steal* and *The Trio* on a free, ad‑free platform demonstrates that compelling storytelling can still thrive without the trappings of mainstream pressure.

By championing narratives that challenge and engage, The Network is carving out a niche that invites audiences to explore unfamiliar worlds, one episode at a time.