Sydney- The BBC has commissioned Out of the Blue, an Australian drama series, for BBC Daytime, and production will begin at Sydney’s northern beaches in January. The series was created by Southern Star Entertainment’s John Edwards (co-creator of Love My Way and The Secret Life of Us) and Julie McGauran (formerly series producer of Home and Away). The initial order is for 130 half-hours. No casting has been disclosed. Southern Star International will handle worldwide distribution outside the UK; no Australian broadcaster has been signed yet. The story opens when a group of thirty-something friends return to their home town for a high school reunion; celebrations are brought to an abrupt end when one is murdered. In the ensuing murder investigation, friendships are challenged and loyalties torn. Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction said: “This is an ambitious project that we think will break new ground, at the same time as providing daytime audiences with a compelling and intriguing watch.