Claudia Karvan in new SBS telemovie

Claudia Karvan stars in the new
telemovie Saved.

This Sunday night SBS screens a premiere Australian telemovie, Saved.

Starring Claudia Karvan, the drama looks at the subject of refugees and the Australian system of government detention centres. But it does so in a very accessible way with an actress as popular as Karvan spearheading the story.

Karvan plays Julia, a young mother recovering from the death of her five-week-old baby from SIDs. When her sister-in-law invites her to accompany her to a detention centre she meets an Iranian detainee, Amir (Osamah Sami). Amir is waiting for a decision from the government as to whether he can stay in the country or not. When Julia learns that his case is likely to be rejected, she takes up his cause and a bond forms between the two.

This puts her at odds with her husband Peter (Andy Rodoreda).

Saved is directed by Tony Ayres (Walking on Water, The Home Song Stories) and produced by Michael McMahon.

Telemovies are a rare commodity on Aussie television these days. Networks seem to be staying away from them, recognising the costs involved versus the challenge of getting a big audience with just one showing. Unlike series drama it has no opportunity for word of mouth.

Last year Nine screened Scorched, TEN had Emerald Falls and The Informant, while the ABC showed Valentine's Day. None rated through the roof.

On SBS Saved is unlikely to attract a big audience either, but it does offer an intelligent alternative in the non-ratings season. For those who still miss Karvan's work in Love My Way, this is a great consolation.

Karvan is also said to be developing a new series for Nine based on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. If Saved is anything to go by, she is certainly sorely missed on our screens.

Saved airs 8:30pm Sunday April 12 on SBS.