Invisible Boys

Holden Sheppard's novel Invisible Boys is likely the most moving and relatable book for many Aussie gay guys (especially if you grew up in a regional town).

Whether or not you have read the book - do yourself a favour and watch this TV show.

The adaptation is brilliant. It stays true to the overall narrative of the book, but has some fantastic additions too - such as the unintended impact of the same sex marriage vote on LGBTIQ+ kids, intersecting with the continued struggles of the aboriginal community, and delving deeper into isolation and mental health for men in the bush.

This adaptation is incredibly brave, highlighting the highs and lows of queer teenage life, without shying away from the awkwardness and messiness - something that we haven't seen in mainstream TV, both in Aus or abroad. Real life isn't Hollywood!

This is for all ages (MA15+ of course) - whether you're going through it now, have been through it in the past, or you're just human. There is so much to relate to with this show.

Thank you to Nicholas Verso for brining this to life so beautifully, and of course, to Holden! Joseph, Aydan, Zach and Joe, you really embodied Charlie, Zeke, Hammer and Matt. It means a lot to everyone who has connected so deeply to the characters via the book. Very grateful.

Growing up gay will probably never be easy or simple, but the more we are able to see ourselves in books and on screens, the better things will be for future generations of queer kids.

"I felt less alone knowing you were here."

This show was absolutely incredible It truly captures the heart of so many issues from homophobia to family pressures to race it truly was incredible and so well crafted.

Pia plays such an incredible role !

The stories in this series make you just cry and laugh and feel all the emotions ! It's so raw and real and it has made me so proud to be an Aussie ! I wish there would have been a show like this when I was younger to help me realise so many things.

Congratulations to all the cast and crew you should be so proud ! I cried like a baby at the end of this and I hope there will be a season 2.

This was honestly one of the best Australian shows I've watched. Aside from some small dialogue delivery at the beginning.

I won't go into it too much. But, Episode 9 was killer. I wasn't expecting the emotions. Haven't had that feeling since Game of Thrones and hoping Tyrion would die in every episode that he was in. Anxiety.

Charlie was absolutely fantastic. Everything about his character and what he went through.

Hammer was great, although, my least favourite. He was great and perfectly acted. An amazing scene with his Aunt. You'll know when you watch it.

But, Zeke. He was my favourite. He was a fantastic character played so perfectly. His story, his lows to his rise. It was fantastic. Don't get me started on the parents. I'm a little disappointed they didn't mention Zeke's likeness to Mewtwo from Pokémon the First Movie. Loved that part in the book.

Overall, it was an amazing show and hope Holden writes IB2 and we get a sequel. I need to know what happens to Charlie and Zeke and Hammer in Perth. But, most of all. I want to see how Charlie and Zeke deal with what happened to them.

We definetly need more tv shows like this. The heartbreak and the joy, the portratization of being queer and ignored(invisible), the frustrations we go through.

This series literally filled my heart. It destroyed it too, a bit. I was on the edge of my seat while watching the boys' story give real insight of what it is really like to be queer in a small town, and not just that. "Invisible boys" shows what is like to be just human, to be a mother, to be a friend, a lover or a fiancée, to literally just exist. We often feel stuck to a place, unable to move(away or on), and this series portrays it perfectly. It is not just the LGBTQ+ experience that is described with both beauty and sorrow, but the universal experience of being human and what it means to love, to love yourself or others.

I think the actors did a wonderful job fitting into the roles of Charlie, Zeke, Hammer and Matt. I felt and cried with them. And their story, their individual stories and their love stories, they just made me want them all to be happy. And I dearly hope that this tv show will get international recognition and praise, so I can dare to imagine we someday we will also get a 2nd season, to see how the boys are coping to their brand new lives.

This is one of the best Australian television series focusing on gay men and it needs to be seen by everyone. Set in the remote town of Geraldton, during the time of the gay marriage vote in Australia; it centres around the feelings and emotions of guys with brutal honesty and integrity. Whether you're gay or not, you can't help riding the emotional roller coaster with each of these characters. The performances are truly inspiring and endearing. All the actors do their parts so well. Pia Miranda who portrays a stereotypical homophonic matriarch is so good that she made me seethe with rage whenever she spoke her slurs.