I finally finished the first season today. Wonderful show. Not overly heavy but a really great watch. Bring on season 2!
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There was an ad just before The Newsreader saying that a new season of “Total Control” is coming soon. Nice 
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I think it will be shown after Fires finishes.
The first two episodes of season 2 will premiere at Series Mania Melbourne in mid October. Bookings open from tomorrow (September 29).
Season two launches Sunday 7 November at 8.40pm
ABC unleashes more political machinations and the best Australian drama, Total Control
ABC is gearing up for the hugely anticipated return of the ground-breaking, political drama series Total Control. Launching Sunday 7 November at 8.40pm, the new series features powerhouse performances from two of Australia’s popular, multi award-winning actors Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths.
Applauded by critics and embraced by audiences, the first season saw political newcomer Alex Irving (Deborah Mailman) engineer a remarkable coup against Rachel Anderson (Rachel Griffiths), the Prime Minister who appointed her to the Senate.
In season two, both Alex and Rachel find themselves treading different political paths. After being dumped by her own party, Rachel relies on strategist Nick Pearce (Alex Dimitriades) to guide her political ambitions, while Alex finds herself surrounded by a new team, led by her brother Charlie (Rob Collins). But politics can be a nasty business. Will Alex’s determination and the tenacity of her grass-roots driven team be enough? Can she survive a system determined to shake everything she values? And can these political adversaries become political allies?
Reprising their roles in Blackfella Films’ critically acclaimed series are; Rob Collins, Wes Patten, Anthony Hayes, William McInnes, Huw Higginson and Lisa Flanagan. They will be joined in the corridors of power by an exciting line-up of Australian talent including; comedian Steph Tisdell in her first dramatic role, Wayne Blair (who also directs) Rob Carlton, Alex Dimitriades, Daniela Farinacci, Colin Friels, Harry Greenwood, Benedict Hardie, Brenna Harding, Anita Hegh and Vico Thai.
In the lead up to season two, all episodes of season one are available to binge watch now on ABC iview.
Production credit: A Blackfella Films production. Major production investment from the ABC and Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department. Financed with support from Screen NSW and Screen ACT. Producer Darren Dale. Associate Producer Erin Bretherton. Executive Producers Rachel Griffiths and Stuart Page. ABC Executive Producers Kelrick Martin and Sally Riley. International Distributor is All3Media International.
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Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths are on the cover of the November issue of the Australian Women’s Weekly, ahead of season 2 premiere.
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Hamish Macdonald has a cameo in episode 2 next Sunday.
Alex returns home, determined to get her grassroots campaign off the ground. Rachel makes a surprise announcement that sees her facing off with Alex on live television. After the show, Rachel makes Alex an interesting offer.
I’ve been really impressed with Season 2. The story line is compelling, hopefully they can get funding for a third series.
It has been pretty impressive especially since it was filmed during COVD restrictions (if you can look past the bad fake QLD Number plates they have put on the cars) and having to move the production entirely to NSW.
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I saw some OOH media advertising for the show in Brisbane today, was a little surprised to see that it just said “Streaming Sunday” with just the iView logo - no mention of it’s airing on ABC also.
This is really interesting after the Federal Election result.
Funding announced for Season 3:
Total Control Season 3 :
A six-part third series of the ground-breaking drama for ABC starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths. In the corridors of power, adversaries Alex Irving and Rachel Anderson battle to control their political destinies. Season 2 writers Stuart Page and Pip Karmel team up again with producers Darren Dale, Erin Bretherton and Rachel Griffiths. They are joined by writers Julia Moriarty (Barrumbi Kids ), Meyne Wyatt (Heartbreak High) and Debra Oswald (Offspring). Total Control Season 3 is financed with support from the ABC, with All3Media managing international sales.
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Season 3
It’s been two years since the explosive events of the second season and outsider turned kingmaker, Alex Irving, is completely at home in the nation’s capital. But what she’s about to discover will test her like never before. The think tank run by Rachel Anderson’s reprobate advisor Nick Pearce – the one that made substantial donations to her election campaign – was backed by private interests in order to buy political influence. Rachel stuffed up. And the corruption allegations could destroy them both. As Alex and Rachel battle to control their political destinies, they will uncover the truth about who was behind the dark money. And why. Can Alex achieve the change she’s been fighting for or will it cost her everything? The gripping final instalment of this acclaimed political drama is not to be missed.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
A Blackfella Films production. Major production investment from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW with Screen ACT and VicScreen. Producers Darren Dale and Erin Bretherton. Executive Producers Rachel Griffiths and Stuart Page. Head of Indigenous Kelrick Martin. International Distributor is All3Media International.
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Season 3 from Sunday 14 January 8:30 pm.
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Totally brilliant, Total Control returns to ABC for the final time.
Starring two titans of Australian screen Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, ABC’s prestigious and razor-sharp political drama Total Control makes its final return with more powerplays, betrayals and soul-searching from Sunday 14th January at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Over six gripping episodes, Deborah and Rachel are joined by a stellar line up of stars including Rob Collins, Wayne Blair, Anthony Hayes, Wesley Patten, Steph Tisdell, Daniela Farinacci, Lisa Flanagan, Benedict Hardie, Anita Hegh, Huw Higginson, Catherine McClements, Fayssal Bazzi, Ursula Yovich, Lisa Hensley and Trisha Morton-Thomas.
It’s been two years since the explosive events of the second season and outsider turned kingmaker, Alex Irving (Deborah Mailman), is completely at home in the nation’s capital. But what she’s about to discover will test her like never before. The think tank run by Rachel Anderson’s (Rachel Griffiths) reprobate advisor Nick Pearce – the one that made substantial donations to her election campaign – was backed by private interests in order to buy political influence. Rachel stuffed up. And the corruption allegations could destroy them both.
As Alex and Rachel battle to control their political destinies, they will uncover the truth about who was behind the dark money. And why. Can Alex achieve the change she’s been fighting for or will it cost her everything?
The final instalment of this critically acclaimed political drama is not to be missed.
Production credit: A Blackfella Films production. Major production investment from the ABC and Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW with Screen ACT and VicScreen. Producers Darren Dale and Erin Bretherton. Executive Producers Rachel Griffiths and Stuart Page. ABC Executive Producer Kelrick Martin. International Distributor is All3Media International.
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Series 3, Episode 1
Sunday 14 January 8.30pm
Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths return in the final series of Total Control. Kingmaker, Alex Irving, is at the centre of power in the nation’s capital but what she’s about to discover will test her like never before.
Starring two titans of the screen, Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, the gripping third and final instalment of this acclaimed political drama is not to be missed.
It’s been a tumultuous two years since outsider turned kingmaker, Alex Irving (Deborah Mailman) anointed Paul Murphy (Wayne Blair) as Australia’s first Aboriginal Prime Minister. Since then, the government has weathered a summer of bushfires, a global pandemic, mounting debt, and the tide of public sentiment turning against them.
When part of Alex’s electorate is hit by once in a century floods, she takes the disaster response into her own hands, using the media and a chance meeting with billionaire Kathleen Sloane, to make a pointed criticism of the government.Meanwhile, Rachel (Rachel Griffiths) fronts the enquiry into the deaths of Marcie McClain and Jessica Clarke where she will finally have to answer to allegations of misconduct. In a deft moment of public relations, Rachel will turn the moment to her advantage and join Alex’s push for youth justice reform. Later Rachel delivers a rousing speech outlining her vision for the future of Australian democracy. But when a journalist friend from Rachel’s past reappears, a looming scandal threatens everything she’s worked for.
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