Austin

Normally not a fan of Australian tv, but this is well made and quirky enough to enjoy. Ben Miller and Sally Phillips are great as they usually are and Michael Theo is an absolute gem! Storyline is a bit predictable, but has enough funny moments to sail through, with some genuine lols (eg. The Nazi bookshop password). Great supporting cast and characters, particularly if you are familiar with the publishing industry! The themes of long forgotten affairs, awkward family dynamics, and nostalgia for youth make a nice undercurrent. And, of course, the beautiful Canberra scenery is enough to make anyone smile. More please!

I usually avoid Australian comedies (even British co-productions such as this) as they are either total rubbish or in about 2% of cases astonishingly brilliant. Austin falls into the latter category. I would have awarded it 10 stars but was forced to deduct one due to an early scene in which Ben Miller appears in his underpants. Nobody wants that.

The characters are beautifully written and wonderfully acted, the casting was flawless with the possible exception of Kate Elliott (Heidi) whose mugging becomes tiresome. Charlotte Nicdao (Yolanda) is a standout, I found myself watching each of her scenes twice to make sure that I didn't miss a moment of her performance.

Michael Theo as Austin is the skilful glue that holds this together. What a star.

Oh, I loved this series so much so I went back and watched it three times already, gather the family and go to ABC iview and watch this gem, because it's a brilliant story mixed with finding out who you are..

Michael Theo does a fantastic job in his first major acting role and there was so many laughs to be had all-round while watching it.

The backdrops where great Canberra really scrubs up well and England? You don't see that often in an Aussie series and it was amazing to see the story progress the way it did.

I hope there will be a second series, Theo has natural talent for comedic timing and he does it so perfectly.

Austin

This was a strange curiosity of a drama, and whilst we had an inventive script and some quite inspired acting, it lacked any heft, it was just all a bit bland or beige.

It really wasn't very funny and certainly didn't hit the minimum bar for a comedy of 5 out loud laughs per episode!

Had I been commissioning this show it would not have been made at all. However this all sounds like I didn't enjoy it, but you would be wrong. Austin was well drawn and really quite compelling and I thought the acting here was on the nail. I enjoyed the gentle viewing and the feel good feel!

I'm going to give this a firm 7 outta 10, but it certainly is niche viewing!

Don't often say it but this show is one that deserves to have another season because of how good Michael Theo is as Austin. Theo plays the character with heart and integrity of someone in a lived experience and he nails all this scenes alongside those who have been around the industry longer then he has. His comedic timing is perfect and his dry wit was so good. This is a brilliant show and deserves to be renewed so fingers are crossed that abc does so because it would be so wrong if they didn't

Canberra serves as a wonderful backdrop especially after total control and it is great to see our country on full display.