Austin

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!

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.

First off, I have to wonder why several significant roles in the series don't show up in the cast list. No one is listed for the daughter. No one is listed for the documentary maker. No one is listed for Austin's possible new girlfriend. No one is listed for the tour guide, and And I recognized him from several other series. Billie Piper isn't listed, though she appears in two episodes. Why is the Cast List so incomplete?

The show itself is a joy to watch. I found it by accident. And it turned out to be a happy accident. All of the acting is terrific, from the meatiest roles to the tiniest appearances. Each episode is both light hearted, clever, and heart warming. I've only seen Ben Miller in dramatic roles in the past. This was a pleasant surprise for me.

All in all I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for some laughs, smiles, a few tears, and a warm feeling in your chest.

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!

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.