Canberra bus shelters became famous well beyond our own borders when Austin aired in June last year. Photo: ABC.
Canberra will once again transform into Hollywood-lite (or its UK equivalent) later this year as filming gets underway on a second series of Austin.
You’ll remember how in November last year, crews from the ABC, Screen Australia, ITV Studios and Screen Canberra rolled the cameras around the city for the original eight-part comedy series, starring – among others – renowned UK actors Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Death in Paradise, Johnny English) and Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary).
The project was supported with funding from the ACT Government and Screen Canberra’s ‘CBR Screen Attraction Fund’, although this amount was kept under wraps as “commercial-in-confidence”.
The finished product was aired on ABC TV in June 2024 and ABC iview.
“A bestselling, but recently cancelled, children’s author has a meltdown when approached by Austin, a neurodivergent 20-something claiming to be his son; he then realises that embracing the young man may be the path to redemption,” the description reads.
It has racked up a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb, with reviewers describing it as “an absolute gem”, “funny, quietly sad, heart-warming” and “unexpectedly enjoyable”.
“I usually avoid Australian comedies (even British co-productions such as this) as they are either total rubbish or, in about 2 per cent of cases, astonishingly brilliant. Austin falls into the latter category,” one wrote.
Canberra’s scenes weren’t exactly hidden either.
Locals would easily recognise parts of the Hyatt Hotel, Marion, Commonwealth Avenue, a Transport Canberra bus, and yes, even one of our iconic concrete bus stops. A house on Franklin Street in Manuka also featured as one of the character’s homes.
Actors Ben Miller, Michael Theo and Sally Phillips were the series’ stars. Photo: Screen Canberra.
Screen Canberra CEO told Region in November last year that the series’ director and co-created, Darren Ashton, “grew up a bit” in Goulburn and advocated for Canberra as a place where the story “could definitely be told”.
“It highlights our diverse filming locations, not just our major institutions like Parliament House,” she said.
“Austin will bring the city’s suburbs and culture to life.”
The second series, to be aired in 2025, looks set to do the same.
Details are scarce for now, but we know it will feature a return of both Miller and Phillips with Michael Theo as Austin and Australian actors Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish, Underbelly).
“As we enter season two, Austin’s publishing career takes off when ‘Game Of Scones: Doing Britain On The Spectrum’ is picked by an international publisher,” a statement from ABC reads.
“As his fame among the bespoke travelling readers grows, he falls under the professional spell of his new agent, and to the horror of his family breaks bad – behaving in a manner unbefitting his true self.
“Meanwhile, an Australian production company options Big Bear to adapt into a TV series. Julian (Ben Miller) and Ingrid (Sally Phillips), with Austin in tow, head to Canberra, Australia, but the joy is short-lived when they discover the production company wants to exclude Julian and reinvent the Big Bear brand.”
Miller, for one, says he is “beyond excited” to start filming again and “reunite our joyously neurodivergent family”.
ABC head of scripted Rachel Okine says audiences “fell in love with Austin and his extended family” in the first series, and “we can’t wait to deliver more heart and humour in spades, as he navigates his unexpected catapult to fame and all the tumult that brings”.
Ms Trueman from Screen Canberra says having the cast and production teams back in Canberra is “fantastic” for the local film industry.
“To be part of such a progressive show fits perfectly with the values of Screen Canberra. I can’t wait for the cameras to roll again.”
So far, Canberra has also served as the stage for Hollywood’s Blacklight (with Liam Neeson), Singaporean drama series Shero, and Netflix’s Kangaroo Valley.
Austin season two will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2025. Until then, you can watch Austin season one on ABC iview.
Original Article published by James Coleman on Riotact.
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