Sometimes one person with the right skills is more effective than an army.

The Informant, written by Greg Haddrick, is inspired by true events. While researching ideas for a television crime series Greg came to learn that over the years many international agencies have from time to time, in complex and serious matters, used civilians to infiltrate organized crime networks. There are some things that undercover police cannot do, either legally or morally, that a member of the public with the right skills can. And when such a rare member of the public is found - they become invaluable to the fight against organized crime.

Starring an elite cast of Australian actors: William McInnes, Colin Friels, Stephen Curry, Leeanna Walsman, Matt Day, Anita Hegh and introducing Don Christopher. The Informant is a Network Ten/Screentime production, written by Greg Haddrick (Society Murders, Jessica, Underbelly) and produced by Greg Haddrick and Fiona Eagger (Society Murders, Crash Burn, East of Everything) and directed by Peter Andrikidis (Underbelly, East West 101, Black Jack).

Richard Button (William McInnes) is a father and husband who has an outspoken wife Christine (Anita Hegh)and two teenage kids Buddy (Maddi Newling) and Rory (Ed Willis) who face all the normal problems and challenges of teenage-hood. In fact their household would be an all-too-familiar snapshot of modern middle-class Australia except for one small difference.

Everything they say is being heard by a team of Australian Serious Crime Agency agents.

Because unbeknown to his kids, Richard is a highly secret but never-trusted Informant for the Australian Serious Crime Agency. They can tell he has either Secret Service training from somewhere, or a history with organized crime at a high level. But his real past is a mystery. He says he is working for them - but at any stage in any operation they fear a deeper truth will emerge. His experience also gives him a unique ability to infiltrate criminal organisations of all sizes, types and stops extortion, murder, fraud, terrorism, money-laundering, illegal gambling, arms dealing, drug dealing, whatever-dealing.

And the people who are nicked never know who he really is.

Nor do his kids. They just think their un-cool Dad is a struggling importer of outdoor furniture who gives them a "dirty look" whenever they ask for money. They also think their bedroom coversations are private.

Heidi Oliver (Leeanna Walsman) and Jim Sivilich (Don Christopher) are Australian Serious Crime Agency agents and follow Richard's every move. Heidi has very cool nerves and has been one of the Agency's most successful surveillance agents. Jim is a hands on enforcer who, more than anyone, is convinced Richard is basically a black hat who is just waiting for the optimum time to screw the lot of them and run off with a big sting. Heidi, unlike Jim is becoming increasingly convinced Richard is a white hat. While being no mean analyser of criminal behaviour herself, before long her professional admiration for Richard hovers on the edge of being a crush.

At the head of ASCA operations are Doug Lamont (Colin Friels) and Simon Ford (Stephen Curry). Concern, suspition and division arises among the ASCA group as they work together to find out who Richard Button really is. There are very
few people Doug truly trusts and neither Richard, Jim or Heidi fit into that category. Particulary Richard. That said, he and Richard do share a mutual respect for each other's skill and professionalism and Doug will make it a private but dogged mission to find out who Richard really is.

Where as for Simon, Richard is both his biggest hurdle and his luckiest break. The more crime networks Richard can bust under Simon's stewardship the better it will look for Simon.

Australian 'Informant' talks to Fox

Another format from Down Under is making its way to American television. Fox is developing "The Informant," a one-hour project based on an upcoming Australian series created by Greg Haddrick. Tom Szentgyorgyi is adapting the format for Fox, 20th TV and Alchemy TV. He describes "Informant" as "Jason Bourne at home." It centers on Richard Button, a regular middle-class suburban dad who works as a police informant for an elite federal investigative agency. "It's a blend of a spy undercover procedural and a family story about his life at home," Szentgyorgyi said. Button's background is a mystery, but his detailed knowledge of international crime networks suggests that he might have been involved in espionage. "The intelligence officers are working with him but also investigating him," said Burrad Marsh, head of TV series development at Alchemy, which recently brokered a deal for ABC to share CBC's comedy pilot "18 to Life." "Informant" is looking to follow in the footsteps of upcoming comedy series "Kath & Kim" and "Sit Down, Shut Up," which also are based on Australian formats."Informant" was packaged by Endeavor.