ABC drafts Sam Pang’s Ground Up for a second season
The ABC today announced at the 2027 Showcase that hit comedy Ground Up will return for a second season, starring Gold Logie winner Sam Pang.
Hugh Shen (Pang) has one year before Tasmania’s long-awaited Great Southern Football Club enters the AFL, and he’s worried about the pricey new stadium under construction. It would be a lot easier if protestors weren’t dumping asbestos, if there wasn’t a global shortage of concrete, and if sinkholes weren’t opening up around Hobart. When Hugh’s not trying to hurdle those obstacles, he’s trying to stop his players mixing with underworld figures, help the club’s inaugural coach through rehab, and find enough players without an ACL injury to field a women’s team.
Produced by Gristmill (Dear Life, Upper Middle Bogan), the six-part comedy returns with its signature blend of workplace dysfunction, political satire and sporting chaos, as Hugh and his team discover that 2028 is arriving very, very quickly.
Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope from Gristmill said, “Thrilled to be back making more art-imitating-life in Tassie, working with the brilliant mind of Gary McCaffrie and our wonderful cast. Although post his Gold Logie win Sam Pang’s rider now includes “more scenes sitting down.”
Pang is joined by the acclaimed ensemble cast including Emma Harvie, Dylan Murphy, Josh McConville, Lucy Durack and Marg Downey, who all reprise their roles for the new season.
ABC Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine said, "Ground Up struck a chord with audiences through its unique blend of workplace comedy, sharp satire and recognisably Australian characters. We’re thrilled to be bringing Hugh Shen and the team back for another season and can’t wait for audiences to see what’s in store.”
Vic Screen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “Ground Up had a cracking first season, with its distinctive blend of footy and office comedy leaving audiences wanting more. VicScreen is thrilled to support Gristmill and the team to bring fans another winning season.”
Ground Up season 2 will air on ABC TV and ABC iview in 2027.
Production Credit: Ground Up is a Gristmill Production for the ABC. Financed in association with VicScreen. Creator/Writer: Gary McCaffrie. Director: Wayne Hope. Producers: Robyn Butler, MaryAnne Carroll, Wayne Hope and Gary McCaffrie. Executive Producers: Robyn Butler, Wayne Hope and Greg Sitch. ABC Executive Producers: Todd Abbott and Rachel Okine. International sales by Super Java Distribution.