Austin | Preview (BBC One)

New eight-part scripted comedy series starring Ben Miller (Professor T, Bridgerton, Death in Paradise), Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary), and Michael Theo (Love on the Spectrum). 

Produced by Northern Pictures and Lincoln Pictures, the cast of Austin also includes Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish, Underbelly). Making his acting debut is Michael Theo, the breakout star of the international hit romantic docuseries Love on the Spectrum.

Between them the writers and creators boast a host of comedy credentials – Darren Ashton (Spreadsheet), Ben Miller (The Armstrong and Miller Show), Lloyd Woolf and Joe Tucker (Black Ops), Adam Zwar (Squinters) and Kala Ellis (Spreadsheet).

When much-loved children’s author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller) inadvertently causes a social media storm, his career and that of his illustrator wife Ingrid (Sally Phillips) appears to be over.

That is until Austin (Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son that Julian never knew existed, turns up out of the blue. Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julian’s route back from cancellation? Will Ingrid ever forgive him? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a pushover, he’s in for a rude awakening.

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”.

Catherine Nebauer, Head of Scripted at Northern Pictures said: “BBC is the perfect platform for Austin and we have no doubts its viewers will appreciate the clever blend of British and Australian humour.  With a stellar cast and production team, Austin has already proven to be a hit on ABC with local audiences and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Meanwhile, ABC Australia have commissioned a second eight-part series of Austin. 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.

Austin (8x30) begins Friday 4th April at 9:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.