At Home with Julia
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | September 7, 2011 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Television comedy series |
At Home with Julia
At Home with Julia is an Australian comedy series in four episodes, developed and scripted by Amanda Bishop, Rick Kalowski, and Phil Lloyd. It debuted on ABC1 on 7 September 2011. A repeat broadcast occurred on ABC2 in April 2012, and the show was later distributed in the United States through the Vibrant TV Network.
The sitcom presents a fictionalized account of the relationship between the then-Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard, portrayed by Amanda Bishop, and her partner Tim Mathieson, played by Phil Lloyd. Alongside dramatized versions of prominent Australian politicians and media personalities, much of the narrative unfolds at The Lodge, the official residence of the Prime Minister in Canberra.
Although early reviews from the press were varied, critical opinion largely turned unfavorable by the conclusion of the series. The program distinguished itself within political satire by concentrating on a female political leader’s private life rather than her governmental duties. Notably, Episode 3 ("The Leaker") contained a provocative "flag scene" where the Prime Minister and Mathieson appear unclothed beneath the Australian flag, which ignited considerable controversy in media and political circles.
Despite facing accusations of disrespect toward the Prime Minister's office, At Home with Julia achieved status as Australia's highest-rated scripted comedy series in 2011 and earned a nomination for Best Television Comedy Series at the 2012 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. The series also attracted favorable critiques from television reviewers.
Plans for international versions reportedly surfaced in the UK and Europe but did not advance to production. The series was licensed to the U.S. market in 2012 and is accessible via Hulu.
In February 2013, ABC1 included the contentious "flag sex-scene" in its compilation Shock Horror Aunty!, which showcased notable provocative comedy moments from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
No continuation followed due to uncertainties surrounding Julia Gillard’s period as Prime Minister. Amanda Bishop returned as Gillard in Wednesday Night Fever, which premiered soon after Gillard was replaced as Labor leader and head of government.
Following budget reductions at ABC and criticism targeting its political satire, no further series focusing on Tony Abbott or subsequent Prime Ministers have been produced.
Main / regular
- Amanda Bishop as Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard
- Phil Lloyd as Tim Mathieson
- Michael Denkha as Jesus the Cleaner
- Georgina Naidu as Georgina
- Craig McLachlan as Steve the Gardener
- Alan Dukes as Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Wayne Swan
- Jonathan Biggins as former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating
- Joel Barker as Naughty Kid 1
- Jack Dawes as Naughty Kid 2
- Jack Versace as Naughty Kid 3
Recurring / guests
- Martin Thomas as Agent Thompson
- David Callan as Agent Smith
- Paul McCarthy as Minister for Foreign Affairs and former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd
- Stephen Leeder as Special Agent Mervyn Fairmeadow
- Peter Carmody as Tony Windsor
- Drew Forsythe as independent MP Bob Katter
- Jim Russell as independent MP Rob Oakeshott
- Nicholas Cassim as Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott
- Geoff Moxham as radio journalist Alan Jones
- Jonathan Biggins as television journalist Tony Jones
- Chris Taylor as Jase, Canberra local
- Amanda Bishop as Deputy Leader of the Opposition Julie Bishop
- Meaghan Davies as Brianna, Canberra local
- Guy Edmonds as male journalist
- Lisa Adam as female journalist
- Di Adams as supermarket shopper
- Greg Quail as newsreader
- Glenn Hazeldine as supermarket meat salesman
- Mandy McElhinney as newsagent
- Krew Boylan as checkout chick
- Ben Oxenbould as head protester
- Patrick Brammall as Bernard the ALP genius
- Wildenfox Pavarotti as 'Bill Shorten', the dog
Episodes
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AACTA Awards | Best Television Comedy Series | Template:Center | Template:Nom |
| Equity Awards | Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Template:Sort | Template:Won | |
| AWGIE Awards | Outstanding Comedy Writing – Situation or Narrative: Episode 1 ("Date Night") | Template:Center | Template:Nom | |
| AWGIE Awards | Outstanding Comedy Writing – Situation or Narrative: Episode 3 ("The Leaker") | Template:Center | Template:Nom |
External links
- Political satire TV series
- 2010s Australian sitcoms
- 2011 Australian TV series premieres
- 2011 Australian TV series conclusions
- Original programming by Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Australian English-language programs
- Television series located in Australian Capital Territory
- Cultural portrayals of Australians
- Cultural representations of politicians
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming