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House Husbands

From Alfawiki
House Husbands
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedSeptember 2, 2012; 14 years ago (2012-09-02)
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
ProductsTelevision series

House Husbands is a comedy-drama television series from Australia that debuted on the Nine Network on 2 September 2012. The narrative, set in Melbourne, follows four fathers—portrayed by Firass Dirani, Gyton Grantley, Rhys Muldoon, and Gary Sweet—who take on the primary caregiving role for their children. The storyline explores the dynamics among their families and social circles. In 2013, the show earned the award for Most Popular Drama Series at the Logie Awards of 2013. The network announced in February 2018 that after five seasons, the series would be discontinued.

Development

On 6 May 2012, Nine Network greenlit House Husbands, a ten-episode comedy-drama that examines evolving gender roles within families. The plot revolves around four contemporary households where fathers are the main caregivers. Michael Healy, Nine’s television director, described the program as a contemporary portrayal of Australian family life with a modern perspective. Ellie Beaumont and Drew Proffitt created the series, with direction by Geoff Bennett and Shirley Barrett. Executive producers included Jo Rooney, Andy Ryan, and Playmaker Media executives David Maher and David Taylor. Production commenced in late May 2012, supported by funding from Screen Australia.

Following a positive viewer response, Nine renewed House Husbands for a second season on 23 September 2012. Filming for this installment occurred between February and June 2013, with episodes broadcast starting April 2013.

In June 2013, confirmation came for a third season set to air in 2014, featuring the return of all principal actors. A fourth season was announced by Nine in July 2014 for release in 2015, maintaining the original male leads alongside Julia Morris and Natalie Saleeba.

The fifth season began production in late May 2016; most of the main cast reprised their roles except for Gyton Grantley. Although initially slated for a 2016 premiere, Nine postponed its broadcast until February 2017.

On 4 February 2018, Nine officially ended House Husbands after five seasons and decided against moving forward with a proposed spin-off focusing on Lewis Crabb (Sweet).

Casting

Casting announcements were made on 18 May 2012, revealing Gary Sweet, Rhys Muldoon, Gyton Grantley, and Firass Dirani as the lead stay-at-home fathers.[1] Sweet’s character Lewis is depicted as a prosperous builder who becomes a full-time dad while his partner Gemma works as a senior nurse.[2] Julia Morris and Anna McGahan were cast as Gemma and their daughter Lucy respectively.[1] Muldoon took on the role of Mark, married to Abi played by Natalie Saleeba.[1] Grantley portrayed Kane, Abi’s brother, who is in a relationship with Tom (Tim Campbell), marking one of Australian television’s first dramas to feature a gay couple raising a child.[3] Dirani played Justin, an ex-footballer separated from Nicola (Leah de Niese), whose new partner was portrayed by Nicholas Coghlan.[4]

All principal actors returned for the second season.[5] New cast members included Geraldine Turner as Wendy Horne and Madeleine West as Dimity.[5] From episode three onwards, Craig McLachlan joined as Damo.[5] Rick Donald appeared as Mr. Tuck, a school teacher; meanwhile Kane and Tom became foster parents to Finn (Ben Crundwell).[6]

On 14 December 2013, it was revealed that Tim Campbell’s character would be written out before season three,[7] with Campbell expressing dissatisfaction regarding this late decision.[7] The network indicated more casting adjustments would occur ahead of the third season.[7] In January 2014, Lincoln Lewis was introduced as an enigmatic figure whose presence stirred tensions among the families.[8] Actress Rachel Griffiths joined portraying Belle, a character who introduces conflict,[9] while Darren McMullen was cast as an alluring romantic interest.[10]

For season four, Justine Clarke was added to the cast playing Eve, who becomes Kane’s rival,[11] alongside Indiana Evans, Akos Armont, and Jane Kennedy, portraying single mother Tash, ambitious Dr Saxon, and Medical Services Director Belinda respectively.[11] Returning actors included Nicholas Coghlan (Rodney) and Jane Allsop, with Danielle Horvat reprising her role as Frankie.[11]

Season five featured actor Hugh Sheridan as Nick Gazecki, a new music teacher opposing Lewis,[12] while singer Delta Goodrem appeared as Izzy Dreyfus—a reading recovery teacher at Nepean South Primary School—described as "both beautiful and slightly tomboyish."[13] Nancye Hayes and Roy Billing joined portraying Mark’s parents Liz and Bernie respectively. Rahart Adams was cast as Rafiq, Justin’s brother.[14]

Main

Supporting

  • Louise Siversen as Heather Looby
  • Lily Jones in the role of Poppy Oliver
  • Madison Torres-Davy portrays Tilda Crabb
  • Allegra Volange acts as Angie Baynie
  • Fletcher Grant features as Jacob Baynie
  • Riley Webb plays Zac Baynie
  • Danielle Horvat appears as Frankie (seasons 3–4)
  • Ava and Audrey Bellert share the role of Sophie Oliver (seasons 3–5)
  • Edwina Royce (seasons 1–3) and Jade Knight (season 4) portray Stella Parker
  • Nicholas Coghlan appears as Rodney (seasons 1, 4)
  • Kate Jenkinson plays Miss Nadir (season 1)
  • Madeleine West as Dimity (season 2)
  • Rick Donald takes on Mr. Harry Tuck (season 2)
  • Les Hill appears as Simon Lawson-West (season 2)
  • Terence Donovan plays Doug (season 2)
  • Ryan Johnson in the role of Will Stevens (season 3)
  • Ben Crundwell portrays Finn (seasons 2–4)
  • Ben Schumann acts as Ryan (seasons 2–3)
  • Helen Dallimore appears as Gaby (seasons 2–3)
  • Craig McLachlan plays Damo (seasons 2–3)
  • Geraldine Turner portrays Wendy Horne (seasons 2–3)
  • Danielle Carter features as Dr Dalton (seasons 2–5)
  • Denise Scott in the role of Nurse Toni (seasons 4–5)
  • Andrew Blackman appears as Hugh across four episodes

Guests

  • Guy Edmonds guest stars as Liam in two episodes
  • Indiana Evans appears as Tash for two episodes
  • Single-episode guest appearances include Jane Hall, Jane Harber, Jerome Ehlers, Jodie Dry, John Adam, Julia Blake, Julie Nihill, Maria Mercedes, Peta Brady, Roy Billing, Sam Healy, and Toby Truslove

Reception

Graeme Blundell from The Australian characterized House Husbands as "an appealing concept for a series, resembling an Australian version of Modern Family," emphasizing its understated realism and blend of heartfelt moments with humor. Under Geoff Bennett's direction, the series delivers a well-timed, character-focused comedy-drama revolving around "a group of dads trying their best." Blundell pointed out that the show distances itself from the immature antics found in Two and a Half Men and is less melodramatic than Packed to the Rafters, positioning it as a strong contender to fill "TV's beloved family viewing slot." He also remarked on its distinctly masculine tone without veering into crudeness or sexism.

The debut episode attracted an average overnight audience of 1.376 million viewers, breaking ratings records and leading key demographic categories including ages 16-39, 18-49, and 25-54. Holly Byrnes of the Herald Sun noted it quickly became the highest-rated new Australian drama and sparked trending conversations on Twitter, with audiences nicknaming it Underbelly: Dads. Siobhan Duck from the same publication commended it as one of the standout Australian drama launches in 2012, attributing its success to a strong ensemble cast.

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominees and Recipients Outcome
2013 Logie Awards Most Popular Actor Firass Dirani Template:Nom
Most Popular Actress Julia Morris Template:Nom
Most Popular Drama Series House Husbands Template:Won
Most Popular New Female Talent Edwina Royce Template:Nom
2014 Logie Awards Most Popular Actress Julia Morris Template:Nom
Most Popular Drama Series House Husbands Template:Nom
2015 Logie Awards Most Popular Actress Julia Morris Template:Nom
Most Popular Drama Series House Husbands Template:Nom
2016 Logie Awards Best Actor Firass Dirani Template:Nom
Best Actress Julia Morris Template:Nom
Best Drama Program House Husbands Template:Nom

Series ratings

Season Episode Count Premiere Date Final Episode Date Highest Viewership Average Viewership Drama Series Ranking
1 10 2 September 2012 4 November 2012 1,578,000 1,284,000 #8
2 13 8 April 2013 7 July 2013 1,337,000 1,180,000 #11
3 13 9 June 2014 1 September 2014 1,275,000 1,071,000 #17
4 10 10 August 2015 12 October 2015 972,000 #10
5 12 6 February 2017 17 April 2017 831,000 #14

International remakes

In July of 2014, ZDF Enterprises secured rights to produce localized versions of House Husbands for both France and Italy, with Made In PM and Publispei handling production. The Italian version, named Amore pensaci tu, debuted on Canale 5 on February 17, 2017, attracting an opening audience of approximately 2.86 million viewers. Although the premiere was successful, viewership steadily dropped afterward, which resulted in the show being relegated to a late-night broadcast slot.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mumbrella
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  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named HHReturns
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