Australian Comedy Royalty Unites for New ABC Series Bad Company
The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are thrilled to announce two of Australia’s most beloved comedians, Anne Edmonds and Kitty Flanagan will join forces for the new 6-part comedy series, Bad Company.
Created by, written and starring AACTA award-winning comedian Anne Edmonds (Have You Been Paying Attention?, Get Krack!n, Edge of the Bush) and produced by Guesswork Television, Bad Company will see Edmonds bring her signature bite to a bold new creation as she stars alongside comedy powerhouse, Kitty Flanagan (Fisk, Utopia, Have You Been Paying Attention?). Both known for their razor-sharp wits and sell-out national tours, these award-winning stars and friends will play fierce rivals who test each other to the limit.
Set within the crumbling walls of The Argyle, a venerable iconic theatre company on the brink of bankruptcy, Bad Company follows Margie (Edmonds), the Argyle’s volatile artistic director, whose unchecked whims have sent the company spiralling, and Julia (Flanagan) a high-flying corporate executive brought in to clean up Margie’s mess.
Creator/writer/star Edmonds says “I’m thrilled to be making an ABC comedy about something so close to my heart - the drama behind the scenes. And getting to make it with Kitty Flanagan? A dream come true.”
ABC Head of Scripted Rachel Okine said “Anne Edmonds and Kitty Flanagan – what a match made in heaven. ABC audiences are going to be delighted to see these two comedic powerhouses going head-to-head in the most unusual of workplace settings.”
Director of Narrative Content at Screen Australia Louise Gough said: “Anne Edmonds and Kitty Flanagan are two of Australia’s iconic comedic talents and I’ve no doubt they are going to raise the curtain, wipe off the greasepaint and cue the spotlight on this biting satire set in the theatre world. Edmonds’ and Flanagan’s hilarious new characters will delight audiences here and around the world.”
VicScreen CEO, Caroline Pitcher said, “We’re delighted to be in ‘good company’ with Anne Edmonds and Kitty Flanagan, two of Australia’s favourite comedians, to make Bad Company in Victoria. The wild global success of Fisk has proven that our distinctive Australian humour can tickle the funny bone of audiences here and overseas. I can’t wait to see the shenanigans when Anne and Kitty do battle backstage in this clever new series.”
Guesswork Managing Director, Kevin Whyte said, “In a surprise to no one who follows Australian comedy, Anne Edmonds has created an hilarious world with a new signature character - Margie Argyle. It has been a long time coming and to have Anne joined by Kitty makes it an even bigger thrill.”
The series will be directed by Tom Peterson (Fisk) and produced by Andrew Walker (Deadloch, Rosehaven) with filming commencing next week in Melbourne.
Bad Company will air on the ABC in 2026.
Production Credit : Commissioned by the ABC. A Guesswork Television production. Major Production Investment from the ABC and Screen Australia. Financed in association with VicScreen. Developed with assistance of VicScreen. Created by Anne Edmonds. Produced by Andrew Walker. Executive Producers: Kevin Whyte, Anne Edmonds, Ben Grogan. ABC Executive Producers: Todd Abbott and Rachel Okine. International Sales by Guesswork Distribution.
Production:
Guesswork Television Pty Ltd
6 x 30 mins
Genre Comedy
Director Tom Peterson
Writer Anne Edmonds
Producer Andrew Walker
Executive Producers Kevin Whyte, Ben Grogan, Anne Edmonds
Broadcaster ABC
International Sales Guesswork Distribution
Synopsis When a corporate titan (Kitty Flanagan) becomes the newest CEO of the State Theatre Centre she faces the challenge of a lifetime: overthrowing the manipulative and egotistical Artistic Director (Anne Edmonds) to save the theatre from collapse.
