What happens when you combine a disastrously unpopular topic like state politics with an irrepressibly popular actor like Asher Keddie?
Channel Ten is about to find out.
Keddie is set to play a Labor premier having an affair with her Liberal challenger in a drama Ten will be banking on to turn around its ratings.
The Gold Logie-winning Keddie is a long way from Offspring and her frequently flustered obstetrician Nina Proudman in the new six-part political series.
Party Tricks sees her play an icy cool female premier, Kate Ballard, in an alternate universe where Labor leads a major state. The drama takes place over the six weeks of Ballard's campaign against surprise liberal candidate, David McLeod, played by Rodger Corser.
"David McLeod has always struck me as being intelligent," Ballard says in a press conference. "But does that mean he is remotely qualified to be the leader of this state?" She gives a world-weary chuckle. "Absolutely not."
But passion runs beneath her public disregard for a very Mike Bairdish McLeod. In fact, the two are lovers.
"If the story breaks, we instantly and comprehensively deny," Ballard says.
"Deal," McLeod replies.
Somehow, despite this rock-solid contingency plan, the pressure mounts on the pair, their secret relationship and their political aspirations.
Recent female premiers Kristina Keneally and Anna Bligh have led parties to historic defeats without needing scandalous affairs, but Ballard cannot seem to give up her trysts.
Meanwhile Keddie has proved a true leader for Ten, spearheading Offspring as one of the network's few recent success stories.
Along with Corser, she stars in Party Tricks with Angus Sampson and Adam Zwar.
Ten is yet to confirm an air date but says the series is coming soon.
 
