Mother and Son (2023 TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | August 23, 2023 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Sitcom |
Mother and Son is an Australian sitcom reboot broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) starting 23 August 2023. The series features Denise Scott and Matt Okine portraying Maggie and Arthur, respectively. Filming took place in Sydney beginning March 2023, utilizing a single-camera approach that contrasts with the original’s multi-camera setup with a live audience. In August 2024, ABC announced the series would return for a second season.
Plot
Following a breakup, Arthur returns to live with his widowed mother, Maggie, and his sister Robbie. Despite recent incidents such as nearly setting the kitchen on fire, Maggie remains lively and mentally sharp.
Cast
- Matt Okine as Arthur Boye
- Denise Scott as Maggie Boye
- Angela Nica Sullen as Robbie
- Catherine Văn-Davies as Maya
- Andrea Demetriades as Dee
- Virginia Gay as Liz
- Lex Marinos as Kenneth
Development
This show represents a "modern reinterpretation" of the original Mother and Son sitcom (1984–1994), which starred Garry McDonald and Ruth Cracknell. The reboot was developed with funding from Screen Australia and Screen NSW, involving original creator Geoffrey Atherden working alongside Matt Okine.
Okine had envisioned reviving the series since 2013 while touring with Denise Scott, who now plays Maggie. He commended the original for its iconic depiction of Australian suburban life in the 1980s and expressed confidence in adapting it for contemporary audiences in 2023. Jennifer Collins, ABC’s Acting Director of Entertainment, highlighted the careful and deliberate process behind the reboot’s creation.
Filming
Production commenced in March 2023 in southwest Sydney, selected for its multicultural environment that reflects Arthur Boye’s Ghanaian background. The setting for Maggie’s residence is Dolls Point.
Choosing a single-camera format allowed Okine to update the style of the show and differentiate it from the original’s multi-camera studio production, aligning with current sitcom conventions.
Future
In November 2023, ABC's Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor revealed that a second season of Mother and Son was underway. He noted that while initial viewing figures were moderate, the show’s iconic nature motivated plans to expand its audience over two seasons. No episodes are scheduled for release in 2024, with producers targeting a strong premiere in 2025.
By August 2024, confirmation came that the six-episode second season, directed by Shaun Wilson, will be broadcast on ABC TV and streamed via ABC iview in 2025.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Silver Logie | Best Lead Actress in a Comedy | Denise Scott | Template:Won |
| Silver Logie | Best Lead Actor in a Comedy | Matt Okine | Template:Won | |
| Silver Logie | Best Scripted Comedy Program | Template:Won |
Reception
Critical response to the series was mixed. A reviewer from The Guardian Australia remarked that while the remake fell short of the original’s impact, it remained moderately enjoyable on its own merits. The review commended the chemistry between characters and performances by Scott and Okine but acknowledged the difficulty of matching the legacy of its predecessor.
A critic from Sydney Morning Herald described the sitcom as somewhat subdued and occasionally lacking punchlines, suggesting it might benefit from a laugh track. Nonetheless, the review recognized its importance in tackling challenging themes and concluded that despite following familiar patterns, this version provides a renewed viewpoint.