ABC comedy Austin returns with more humour, heart and Michael Theo
There is much to rejoice about Austin, ABC's Australian and British comedy drama co-production, returning for a second series. An original show! Made (partly) here! More of actor Michael Theo in the title role!
Big-hearted, intelligently humorous and laced with goof, the first series followed Austin (Theo, Love On the Spectrum), an autistic man, connecting with his biological father, Julian (Ben Miller, Professor T, Paddington), a bestselling – though recently cancelled – author. Their new relationship brought profound change for father and son (and greater family and associates) amid revealed secrets and semi-chaos.
Series one ended with DNA results and a cliffhanger – is Austin actually Julian's son?
The answer comes swiftly in series two's opening episode. I won't give it away, suffice to say that Austin, Julian and a raft of returning and new characters (this show bursts with singularly distinctive roles) are front and centre across eight new episodes, all set, as in series one, between Canberra and London.
Austin, now living in North London with Julian, his stepmother Ingrid (Sally Phillips, Bridget Jones, Miranda) and his stepsister Florence (Ellie McKay, Miss Austen), has written a book about England's capital, and Julian, pivoting careers, is helping to publish it.
Austin is given a literary agent, Greta (Claire Lovering, Gold Diggers) a posh zeitgeister with ironic knee-high socks and untrammelled confidence, whose influence on her client brings fame and a character change.
Julian – cognisant of the philandering and narcissism that has driven Ingrid to reconsider her marriage – is doing his uneven best to stop acting like a total prig.
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