GOOLAGONG (2026): ABC’s Powerful New Drama Brings Evonne Goolagong’s Legacy to Life — Release Date, Cast, Story & Why This Series Matters

Some champions change a sport.

Others change a country.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley did both — and now her extraordinary journey gets the prestige drama it deserves.

Premiering Sunday, January 4 at 8:20 pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available on ABC iview, Goolagong is a sweeping, emotional, three-part mini-series retelling the life of one of Australia’s greatest athletes and cultural trailblazers. Her rise from a small NSW town to Wimbledon glory is the kind of true story that doesn’t just inspire — it transforms.

If you love biographical dramas like Lion, Maid, or The Queen’s Gambit, this is your next must-watch.

Goolagong (2026) premieres January 4 on ABC TV and ABC iview. This biographical mini-series tells the true story of tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley — from her 1970s Wimbledon breakout to becoming the first mother in the modern era to win Wimbledon. Here’s the cast list, plot summary, release details, and everything you need to know.

🎾 The Legacy: Who Is Evonne Goolagong Cawley?

Before we get into the series, the woman herself deserves a spotlight.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley is not just a tennis champion — she is:

• 7-time Grand Slam singles winner

• One of the most elegant players in tennis history

• A proud Wiradjuri woman who broke racial and social barriers

• A global advocate for Indigenous youth

• The first mother to win Wimbledon in the Open Era (1980)

She transformed Australian sport.

She inspired generations.

She reshaped the global conversation around opportunity, representation, and resilience.

And the mini-series dives into all of it.

🌱 The Story: From Barellan Dirt Courts to Wimbledon’s Centre Court

Goolagong follows Evonne’s life across a decade of triumphs and heartbreaks:

• A shy girl in rural Australia discovers a natural gift for tennis

• A coach sees her potential and brings her to the national stage

• Her rapid rise shocks the tennis world

• She becomes an international star in London

• Fame, pressure, racism, and personal challenges collide

• She becomes a symbol of possibility during the rise of women's liberation and Indigenous rights movements

• And ultimately —She becomes the first mother to win Wimbledon since 1914

This is more than a sports biopic.

It’s a story of identity, belonging, courage, and generational change.

👤 Cast & Characters

The mini-series features a vibrant, talented lineup:

⭐ Lila McGuire as Evonne Goolagong

A breakout role capturing Evonne’s warmth, drive, and emotional complexity.

⭐ Marton Csokas as Vic Edwards

Evonne’s demanding and complicated coach, a towering figure in her early career.

Additional Cast

• Felix Mallard

• Luke Carroll

• Zach Blampied

Expect layered performances, emotional intimacy, and a portrayal that feels deeply grounded in lived experience.

🎬 Production: A Landmark Australian Series

Goolagong is produced in collaboration with:

• Screen Australia

• ABC

• VicScreen

Filming took place across Victoria, injecting over $9 million into the local economy and offering crucial opportunities for First Peoples creatives — mirroring Evonne’s own commitment to uplifting Indigenous youth.

With a narrative spanning poverty, racism, sexism, global fame, and motherhood, this series embraces emotional nuance while celebrating one of the most important athletes in Australian history.

💫 Why Goolagong Is Set to Become ABC’s Biggest 2026 Hit

Here’s why critics and audiences are already buzzing:

✔ A powerful, uplifting true story

These are the biopics audiences share, rewatch, and embrace.

✔ A cultural icon at the center

Evonne Goolagong is beloved across Australia and respected worldwide.

✔ Timely themes

Indigenous representation, women's empowerment, motherhood in sport — the conversations are more relevant today than ever.

✔ High production quality

A prestige drama with emotional depth and journalistic detail.

✔ Built for global Discover & trending algorithms

Tennis, nostalgia, biography, and social progress always perform strongly.

📅 Release Details

Goolagong (2026)

📺 Premieres: Sunday, January 4

⏰ Time: 8:20pm

📍 Where: ABC TV

💻 Streaming: All episodes available on ABC iview on premiere night

Perfect for weekend binge-watchers.

🌟 Final Word: “Dream, Believe, Learn, Achieve” — Evonne’s Spirit Lives On

Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s life has always been bigger than tennis.

It’s about dreaming beyond your circumstances.

It’s about persistence when the world underestimates you.

It’s about redefining what a champion looks like.

Goolagong isn’t just entertainment — it’s cultural storytelling at its finest.

A tribute.A history lesson.A mirror.A reminder that greatness often begins far from the spotlight.

And now, her story will inspire a whole new generation.