A new Australian crime drama attempting to chronicle the infamous exploits of the 'Postcard Bandit' has arrived, but it fails to fully capitalise on its compelling source material. 'Run', a six-part series streaming on Binge, stars George Mason as Brenden Abbott, the notorious bank robber who terrorised financial institutions in the late 1980s and early 1990s and executed two dramatic prison escapes.
A Promising Premise Derailed by Structure
The series possesses all the raw ingredients for a gripping true-crime caper: a charismatic anti-hero, high-stakes heists, and a tense nationwide manhunt. However, 'Run' is hampered from the outset by an uneven, non-linear narrative structure that consistently stalls its own momentum. Rather than beginning with Abbott's audacious 1989 escape from Fremantle prison—a well-staged sequence that concludes the first episode—the writers choose to open with a quieter prison visit scene.
This choice establishes a stop-start rhythm that the show struggles to overcome. The narrative jumps between time periods, flashing back to bank robberies and forward to Abbott's life on the run. While this approach can be innovative, here it often feels disjointed, undercutting tension just as it begins to build. The viewer is left wanting the propulsive, breathless pace the title 'Run' implicitly promises.
George Mason Leads a Strong Cast
At the centre of the drama, George Mason delivers a solid performance, imbuing Abbott with a flinty, tough-guy charisma. He portrays Abbott as clever and street-smart, but deliberately stops short of romanticising him. This is not a saintly figure, nor is he presented as a genius; he is a wily criminal whose life is defined by constant motion, always leaving and never arriving.
The supporting cast adds significant weight. Robyn Malcolm is typically excellent as Abbott's mother, Thelma, bringing a gritty, maternal intensity reminiscent of Jacki Weaver in 'Animal Kingdom'. Oscar Redding provides a combustible presence as Abbott's fellow escapee, Reynolds, whose volatility creates palpable tension during their time on the lam. Ashleigh Cummings also appears as Abbott's girlfriend, Jackie.
The Police Pursuit Lacks Bite
One of the series' most significant missed opportunities lies in its depiction of the police investigation. The real-life hunt for Abbott was famously protracted and frustrating for law enforcement, a scenario ripe for dramatic tension. Yet in 'Run', the police characters remain frustratingly peripheral and thinly drawn.
Keiynan Lonsdale does his best as the determined Detective Gary Porter, but the character is given scant development and lacks a compelling arc. He pops in and out of the narrative without ever becoming a formidable counterpoint to Abbott. The show's key promotional art, which features a composite face of Mason and Lonsdale, misleadingly suggests a dual narrative focus that simply isn't present in the five episodes previewed.
Final Verdict: A Chase That Loses the Scent
Ultimately, 'Run' feels like a chase that keeps losing the scent. When it focuses on the mechanics of a heist or escape, it briefly finds its footing. The second episode, which follows Abbott and Reynolds on the run, showcases the series' potential with sizzling performances and a palpable sense of danger.
However, the erratic pacing and lurching timeline repeatedly dissipate suspense. The most charitable reading is that this discombobulating structure mirrors Abbott's own fractured and frantic existence. A less forgiving view is that it's a narrative misstep that prevents a good story from becoming a great one. For all its promising components, 'Run' never quite manages to break into a full sprint.
