AUSTIN: BBC-ACQUIRED AUSTRALIAN COMEDY RENEWED FOR SECOND SERIES

ABC Australia have commissioned a second eight-part series of Austin. Produced by Northern Pictures with Lincoln Pictures, filming will commence in the UK early next month.

The series has also been acquired by the BBC. Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition says: “Irresistibly charming, humorous and heart-warming, BBC viewers are sure to find Austin a sheer delight from start to finish”.

Following his breakout performance in season one, Michael Theo returns as the straight-talking Austin. Beloved UK performers Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Death in Paradise) and Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary), along with favourite Australian actors Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish, Underbelly) also reprise their roles.

As we enter season two, Austin’s (Michael Theo) publishing career takes off when “Game Of Scones: Doing Britain On The Spectrum” is picked by an international publisher.

As his fame among the bespoke travelling readers grows, he falls under the professional spell of his new agent, and to the horror of his family breaks bad - behaving in a manner unbefitting his true self.

Meanwhile, an Australian production company options Big Bear to adapt into a TV series. Julian (Ben Miller) and Ingrid (Sally Phillips), with Austin in tow, head to Canberra, Australia, but the joy is short lived when they discover the production company wants to exclude Julian and reinvent the Big Bear brand.

Ben Miller, star, co-creator and Executive Producer, says: “Love is in the air in season two, and as Austin’s dad, I’m excited to see him dive into the world of romance. That said, I would advise against any 90s-style double dating. One decade of that was plenty…

"A huge thank you to the peerless ABC, ably abetted by ITV Studios, and our friends at Screen Australia and Screen Canberra, for helping bring Austin’s journey back to life. We are all beyond excited to start filming again, and reunite our joyously neurodivergent family.”

Catherine Nebauer and Darren Ashton, Executive Producers from Northern Pictures, says: “It was such a joy to bring Austin to audiences globally and at home and it’s such a treat to be starting this process all over again! Audiences were drawn to Austin because of his big heart and warmth but season two will see our lead behaving in a slightly different light… let’s hope he can learn a thing or two and not let fame change him!”

ABC Head of Scripted Rachel Okine says “During season one, audiences fell in love with Austin and his extended, complicated family. We can’t wait to deliver more heart and humour in spades, as he navigates his unexpected catapult to fame and all the tumult that brings. Austin season two is an example of international collaboration at its finest.”

UK broadcast details will be announced in due course.