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*Austin*
Austin
Genre	Comedy drama
Created by	Joe Tucker; Lloyd Woolf; Darren Ashton; Ben Miller;
Written by	Kala Ellis; Adam Zwar; Ben Miller; Darren Ashton; Lloyd Woolf; Joe Tucker;
Starring	Michael Theo; Ben Miller; Sally Phillips; Roy Billing; Gia Carides; Kate Elliott; Zahra Newman; Billie Piper;
Country of origin	Australia; United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producers	Catherine Nebauer; Darren Ashton; Ben Miller; Sally Phillips; Lloyd Woolf; Joe Tucker; Peter Anderson;
Producer	Joe Weatherstone
Production companies	Northern Pictures; Lincoln Pictures;
Original release
Network	ABC TV
Release	9 June 2024 –; present

Austin is an eight-part Australian-British comedy drama series which premiered on ABC TV in Australia on 9 June 2024. It is set to be aired in the UK later in 2024.

Synopsis

Austin is a comedy drama series.^[1] Whilst on a book tour in Canberra, recently cancelled English children’s author, Julian, is approached by a 28 year old man named Austin, who claims to be his biological son (and also happens to be neurodivergent,) supposedly had when dating Austin’s mother in the mid nineties in London. Along with Austin’s mother and grandfather, Embracing Austin may be Julian's path to redemption if he and wife Ingrid can move past their mistakes.

Production

The eight-part series was filmed in Canberra, Australia, starting in November 2023,^[2] and in England. It was produced by Northern Pictures^[3]^[4] and Lincoln Pictures.^[5]

It is supported by the ACT Government, Screen Australia, ITV Studios,^[2] and Screen Canberra.^[5]

The series has Catherine Nebauer, Darren Ashton, Ben Miller, Sally Phillips, Lloyd Woolf, Joe Tucker, Peter Anderson as executive producers, with Joe Weatherstone as the producer of the series.^[2]

On 11 September 2024, the ABC announced that a second season of the series was in development, alongside Ladies in Black.^[6] On 22 November the show was renewed for a second season.^[7]

Cast

Michael Theo, a neurodivergent participant on reality series Love on the Spectrum, makes his acting debut as the title character Austin.^[8] The series' cast also includes stars Ben Miller as Julian, Sally Phillips as Ingrid,^[3] Gia Carides as Austin's mother Mel, Roy Billing as Austin's grandfather Bill,^[5] Kate Elliott as Heidi, Zahra Newman as Monica and Billie Piper as herself.^[9]

Broadcast

Austin premiered on 9 June 2024 in Australia on ABC TV.^[8]

On 11 July 2024, it was announced the series will be broadcast on the BBC's television channels and its iPlayer service in the United Kingdom, due to an acquisition from ITV Studios.^[10] This comes after the series was originally announced in February 2024 to be broadcast on ITV in the UK later in 2024.^[11]

On 19 September 2024, it was announced the series will be broadcast on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's CBC Gem streaming service in Canada, debuting on the service on 18 October 2024, after CBC acquired the series from ITV.^[12]

Episodes

Season 1 (2024)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original release date	Aus. viewers
1	1	"Episode 1"	9 June 2024 (2024-06-09)	806,000^[13]
Julian Hartswood, a best-selling British children's author who is partway through an Australian book tour with his wife and long-time illustrator Ingrid, wakes up one morning to the shocking revelation that one of his retweets the previous day was from a neo-Nazi influencer, which quickly ruins his own reputation and derails the rest of his tour. After Julian and Ingrid narrowly avoid a public appearance that he unknowingly arranged at a far-right bookstore, their day is further complicated by the sudden arrival of Austin Hogan, an autistic man from Canberra who claims to be Julian's son; Austin's explanation of how he was conceived also upsets Ingrid, who realises that she and Julian were already married when it happened. Julian, trying to keep his life at least partly on track while his publishers manage the fallout from the retweet, reluctantly accepts an invitation to meet Austin's mother and grandfather, although Ingrid insists on coming along so she can learn the truth.
2	2	"Episode 2"	16 June 2024 (2024-06-16)	577,000^[14]
3	3	"Episode 3"	23 June 2024 (2024-06-23)	481,000^[15]
4	4	"Episode 4"	30 June 2024 (2024-06-30)	428,000^[16]
5	5	"Episode 5"	7 July 2024 (2024-07-07)	395,000^[17]
6	6	"Episode 6"	14 July 2024 (2024-07-14)	404,000^[18]
7	7	"Episode 7"	21 July 2024 (2024-07-21)	355,000^[19]
8	8	"Episode 8"	28 July 2024 (2024-07-28)	N/A

Reception

David Knox of TV Tonight rated the series at 3½ out of 5 stars, writing about Michael Theo's performance, "The authenticity, warmth and humour that made him so beloved in Love on the Spectrum is on display as the neurodivergent, optimistic son, with the awkward one-liners... Theo nails his scenes alongside more experienced performers, with all the required comic timing".^[20] Craig Mathieson of The Sydney Morning Herald rated the series at 3½ out of 5 stars, writing about the series' connection to autism, "Austin is not a show about autism. It has an autistic character in one of the lead roles, but the central focus is the father and son connection between Julian and Austin".^[21] Anthony Morris of ScreenHub rated the series at 3 stars, writing about its story, "Having an extremely predictable story isn't necessarily a bad thing in a comedy."^[22] Luke Buckmaster of Guardian Australia rated the series at 4 out of 5 stars, writing about the series' performance, "The plotline involving Julian making a documentary about himself gets a tad silly, but even when the story slips a little, the writing and performances never lose their wit and sharpness. Another season, please!"^[23]

References

^ Huntsdale, Justin (8 June 2024). "Love on the Spectrum star Michael Theo lands first major acting gig with TV comedy Austin". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Perry, Kevin (10 November 2023). "Filming begins on ABC's new Canberra-based comedy AUSTIN". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b Doherty, Megan (30 May 2024). "Love on the Spectrum star Michael Theo ready to premiere the 'most important work' of his life". The Canberra Times. Canberra: Australian Community Media. p. 17. ProQuest 3062194748. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ "Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin". Screen Australia. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Lindell, Jasper (10 May 2024). "TV series filmed in Canberra with big British stars gets air date". The Canberra Times. Canberra: Australian Community Media (published 11 May 2024). p. 44. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ Knox, David (11 September 2024). "ABC pursues new seasons of Austin, Ladies in Black". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
^ Knox, David (22 November 2024). "Renewed: Austin | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
^ ^a ^b Knox, David (7 June 2024). "Michael Theo's favourite (and least favourite) moments filming Austin". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ "Austin: cast". Australian Television. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
^ Reid, Poppy (11 July 2024). "Australian TV Show 'Austin' Gets Picked Up By BBC". Variety. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
^ Knox, David (20 February 2024). "ITV picks up Four Years Later, Austin". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ Whittock, Jesse (19 September 2024). "CBC Acquires Ben Miller-Starring Comedy 'Austin' & Sets Launch Date For Jewel Thief Drama 'Joan'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
^ Knox, David (10 June 2024). "Sunday 9 June 2024". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ Knox, David (17 June 2024). "Travel Guides takes Nine to Sunday win". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
^ Knox, David (24 June 2024). "Nine News tops Sunday". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
^ Knox, David (1 July 2024). "Oops. Coding error by Travel Guides sees Dream Home 'win' Sunday slot". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
^ Knox, David (8 July 2024). "Travel Guides eclipses Dancing with the Stars return". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
^ Knox, David (15 July 2024). "Nine's big Sunday". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
^ Knox, David (22 July 2024). "Travel Guides tops Sunday entertainment". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
^ Knox, David (9 June 2024). "Austin". TV Tonight (Review). Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ Mathieson, Craig (4 June 2024). "Austin isn't a show about autism, but it gets the depiction just right". TV & radio. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
^ Morris, Anthony (7 June 2024). "Austin, ABC review: local laughs by way of London seem a bit too loose". ScreenHub. Creative Hubs Group. Retrieved 10 June 2024. Having an extremely predictable story isn't necessarily a bad thing in a comedy. And for periods here and there, this seems like it might provide a few decent laughs. Miller and Phillips are seasoned UK professionals, while Carides and Roy Billing (as Austin's grandfather Bill) get a lot of mileage out of their roles. And Theo does a great job as the story's emotional (and occasionally comedic) heart; if nothing else this is an excellent showcase for him.
^ Buckmaster, Luke (9 June 2024). "Austin review – this funny, big-hearted comedy will leave you wanting another season". Guardian Australia. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 June 2024.