Finished all eps now. IMO it peters out a bit in the second half once they’re in ‘London’ (you can tell a lot of the internals at least were still filmed in Canberra) but still enjoyable overall.
Episode 5
Sunday 7 July 8.00pm
Austin organises a bespoke celebrity bus tour while Julian contemplates hiring someone to “scrub” his image. Ingrid decides to expand her career to become an “‘illust-author”, excluding Julian for the first time.
On arrival in London Austin (Michael Theo) is keen to cure jetlag by embarking on item one of his UK bucket list – to follow in the footsteps of his most admired British singer turned actor, star of screen and stage, his long term favourite Doctor Who companion and now writer, Billie Piper. Ingrid (Sally Phillips) has other plans for the day which is news to Julian (Ben Miller) and soon bids the boys farewell to pursue other creative opportunities.
Julian agrees to join Austin on the Billie bespoke tour, but ends up ditching the excursion mid-way for a hard to get once in a month meeting with an online scrubber – a specialist lawyer who can reduce his negative Nazi search results. But shortly after abandoning the tour Julian is hit with a wave of remorse, having made a promise to Austin’s mother to look after their son. In a frantic scramble he attempts to catch up with Austin, alerting Mel (Gia Carides) to the “lost Austin”. Will he find Austin and more importantly will Austin find Billie Piper?
I love this show. Although I don’t think the characters of Gia Carides and Roy Billing were interegrated well enough into the storyline in London - this is not a criticism of their acting.
Overall, maybe because I am similar age to the characters Julian, Ingrid and Mel I found this series thouroughly enjoyable.
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Episode 6
Sunday 14 July 8.00pm
When Julian gets fired from his publisher & told his remaining books are to be pulped, Austin leads the charge to break into the warehouse to rescue whatever books are left.
When Julian (Ben Miller) is unceremoniously let go by his publishing agent of 25 years, he discovers 100,000 of their latest books are to be turned into pulp. When Austin (Michael Theo) is told this, he convinces Julian that the written word, and his artistic endeavours, must be saved at all cost. This leads them on a buddy heist to retrieve the Big Bear books from the warehouse.
Across town Ingrid (Sally Phillips) has an important session with her new “creative collaborator” AKA ghost writer, Tobias. But Tobias’s creative ideas have a very familiar narrative storyline to other well-known works of fiction.
Called mid-way by a somewhat puzzling message from Austin, Ingrid takes her leave and escapes to the book storage warehouse where she finally convinces Austin and Julian that they are family.
Episode 7
Sunday 21 July 8.00pm
Ingrid discovers a former passion while Austin and Julian prepare for the first screening of the documentary, entitled: The Greatest Man I Never Knew - that will (hopefully) rebrand Julian to the world.
Austin (Michael Theo) and his new half-sister Florence (Ellie Mckay) meet for the first time in preparation for the rough cut screening of the documentary – The Greatest Man I Never Knew. Florence and Austin soon realise they have more things in common than the same father, and that Austin doesn’t do sarcasm.
The discovery by Florence of Ingrid’s (Sally Phillips) pre Big Bear nude paintings, titled the Phallum Series, sets Ingrid on a new course to exhibit her work. A gallery is organised and a date set for her solo exhibition, which leaves Julian (Ben Miller) feeling creatively abandoned.
But Ingrid’s exhibition proves to be the least of Julian’s worries when the “rough Cut” of “The Greatest Man I Never Knew”, reveals Julian’s self-serving intentions to Austin. A rogue video clip reveals Julian stating that Austin may not be his son at all, but if it helps resurrect his career what does it matter? Austin quickly exits the cinema. Will Austin forgive Julian for the ultimate betrayal?
Episode 8 - final
Sunday 28 July 8.00pm
Julian is concerned when Austin turns his phone off & leaves to have some time on his own. In a gallery in outer London Ingrid prepares for an exhibition of her artwork. But the absence of Austin & Julian doesn’t bode well.
Reeling from the documentary screening, Austin (Michael Theo) has gone AWOL, having left his father a cryptic message as to his possible whereabouts. If Julian (Ben Miller) can decipher the message and locate where Austin is now staying, it will prove they are biological father and son.
Meanwhile Ingrid (Sally Phillips) and Florence (Ellie McKay) are preparing for the opening of her exhibition, while Austin sets about writing a book on how the English misuse English. It is during the research for his book that Austin meets Lucy, a writer of the journalistic kind, and phone numbers are exchanged.
But with Ingrid banning Julian from the exhibition unless he arrives with Austin, Julian turns unsuccessfully to twitter, then sets out on foot in search of Austin. But will he discover the whereabouts of Austin in time to make it to Ingrid’s viewing and importantly, will Julian get to know Austin’s DNA results?
Comedian Lloyd Langford had a cameo in Austin, playing a forklift truck driver in one of the episodes. His clip was shown on tonight’s episode of Have You Been Paying Attention?.
That was last week’s episode.
Austin will stream on CBC Gem in Canada from Friday, October 18.
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Much-loved series Austin returns for a second season
Austin season 2: Ingrid (Sally Phillips), Julian (Ben Miller), Austin (Michael Theo) and Mel (Gia Carides).
ABC, Screen Australia, ITV Studios, and Screen Canberra are thrilled to announce that the much-loved eight-part narrative comedy series, Austin, has been commissioned for a second season.
Produced by Northern Pictures with Lincoln Pictures, filming will commence in the UK early next month. Following his breakout performance in season one, Michael Theo returns as the straight-talking Austin. Beloved UK performers Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Death in Paradise) and Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary), along with favourite Australian actors Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish, Underbelly) also reprise their roles.
As we enter season two, Austin’s (Michael Theo) publishing career takes off when “Game Of Scones: Doing Britain On The Spectrum” is picked by an international publisher. 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.
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “Austin is a ground-breaking series that has captivated audiences with its heartfelt storytelling, humour and exploration of neurodiversity and acceptance. Seeing authentic representation of the diverse experiences of all Australians on screen is vital and we’re very proud to support this talented creative team and cast as they build on the success of the first season. We look forward to seeing Michael Theo deliver another scene-stealing performance.”
Ben Miller, star, co-creator and Executive Producer said, “Love is in the air in season two, and as Austin’s dad, I’m excited to see him dive into the world of romance. That said, I would advise against any 90s-style double dating. One decade of that was plenty… A huge thank you to the peerless ABC, ably abetted by ITV Studios, and our friends at Screen Australia and Screen Canberra, for helping bring Austin’s journey back to life. We are all beyond excited to start filming again, and reunite our joyously neurodivergent family.”
Catherine Nebauer and Darren Ashton, Executive Producers from Northern Pictures said, “It was such a joy to bring Austin to audiences globally and at home and it’s such a treat to be starting this process all over again! Audiences were drawn to Austin because of his big heart and warmth but season two will see our lead behaving in a slightly different light… let’s hope he can learn a thing or two and not let fame change him!”
ABC Head of Scripted Rachel Okine said, “During season one, audiences fell in love with Austin and his extended, complicated family. 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. Austin season two is an example of international collaboration at its finest.”
Julie Meldal-Johnsen, EVP Global Content, ITV Studios said, "We’re so delighted that the wonderful world of Austin will be returning to give our global partners even more laughter, love and heartwarming feels. It’s our privilege to work with our friends at Northern Pictures and the ABC on this smart, life-affirming and unashamedly diverse show.”
Holly Trueman, CEO of Screen Canberra says, “Having the cast and production team of Austin back to film in the ACT is fantastic for our local 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.”
Austin season two will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2025. Until then watch Austin season one now on ABC iview.
Production Credit: Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A Northern Pictures production with Lincoln Pictures, in association with and distributed by ITV Studios. Major Production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Australia, the ACT Government, and Screen Canberra. Post Produced with the assistance of the NSW Government.
Created by Darren Ashton, Ben Miller, Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf. Executive Producers: Ben Miller, Sally Phillips, Jessica Parker, Joe Tucker, Lloyd Woolf, Peter Anderson, Darren Ashton and Catherine Nebauer. Produced by Joe Weatherstone. ABC Executive Producers: Rebecca Anderson and Rachel Okine. Written by Joe Tucker, Lloyd Woolf, Adam Zwar, Andy Riley, Kevin Cecil, Amy Stewart, Emma Jane Unsworth. Directed by Darren Ashton, Madeleine Dyer, Rebecca O’Brien.
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