Crackle Plus, a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (Nasdaq: CSSE) company and one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, announced today the release of the original Australian crime dramedy limited series Les Norton, based on Robert G. Barrett’s best-selling novels will premiere April 21st in the US, exclusively on Crackle. 

The series stars Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect, Isn’t It Romantic), Alexander Bertrand (Australian Gangster, Hide & Seek), David Wenham (Romper Stomper, Top of the Lake), and Pallavi Shareda (Lion, Beecham House). Created by Morgan O’Neill (Drift, Solo) and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker, Proof), Morgan O’Neill (Drift, Solo), David Caesar (Underbelly, Dirty Deeds) and Fadia Abboud (Here Come the Habibs!), the 10-episode, hour-long series is produced by John Edwards (Love My Way, Offspring, Romper Stomper) and Daniel Edwards (Romper Stomper, Australian Gangster). 

Set in 1985, the series follows the exploits of Les Norton, a young man from outback Queensland. On the run from a troubled past, Les blows into Sydney, where he lands a job as a bouncer at a notorious illegal casino in Kings Cross. A classic fish out of water who is desperate to get home, he soon finds himself seduced by the city’s illicit charms and dragged into a web of underground criminality.

“We are huge fans of Rebel and her work, so we are excited to add Les Norton to our slate of original programming. This series has found the perfect home on Crackle, and we have no doubt its humor, hijinks and incredible cast will resonate with viewers” president of Crackle Plus, Philippe Guelton stated.

Roadshow Rough Diamond and Screen Australia produced the series with worldwide distribution by Sonar Entertainment. 

 The Crackle Plus streaming services are currently distributed through 70 touch points in the U.S. on platforms including Amazon FireTV, RokuTV, Apple TV, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio), gaming consoles (PS4 and Xbox One), Plex, iOS and Android mobile devices and on desktops at Crackle.com, with previously announced plans to expand to over 90 touch points. Crackle is also available in approximately 500,000 hotel rooms in the Marriott Bonvoy chain.

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) (the “Company”) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The Company owns Crackle Plus, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The Company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media and 1091 Pictures subsidiaries and produces original video content through the Chicken Soup for the Soul Television Group. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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