The Family Law
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | January 14, 2016 |
| Founder | Benjamin Law |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Television series |
The Family Law is an Australian comedic television series developed by Benjamin Law, inspired loosely by his 2010 memoir of the same title. The initial six-episode season, scripted by Law alongside Marieke Hardy, was produced by Matchbox Pictures and premiered on SBS on 14 January 2016. The second season debuted on 15 June 2017, followed by the third and concluding season which aired on 12 January 2019. In the United States, the series is accessible via streaming on Hulu.
Plot
The narrative centers on a Chinese-Australian family as seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Benjamin Law. Although set in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, filming took place in Brisbane’s Sunnybank suburb. The storyline depicts a memorable summer experienced by Benjamin, his eldest sister Candy, older brother Andrew, younger sisters Tammy and Michelle, as well as their parents Jenny and Danny.
Main
- Trystan Go portraying Benjamin Law
- Fiona Choi as Jenny Law
- Anthony Brandon Wong in the role of Danny Law
- Shuang Hu playing Candy Law
- George Zhao as Andrew Law
- Karina Lee as Tammy Law
- Vivian Wei portraying Michelle Law
- Bethany Whitmore as Melissa Hills, a friend of Benjamin
Recurring
- Diana Lin as Maisy, an acquaintance of Jenny
- Erika Heynatz in the role of Diane
- Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Pete
- Kimie Tsukakoshi playing Heidi Thomson
- Loretta Kung as Daisy, another acquaintance of Jenny
- Sam Cotton portraying Wayne, Candy’s boyfriend
- Takaya Honda as Klaus Thomson
Guests
- Genevieve Morris appearing as Lorraine
- Julie Eckersley in multiple roles: Bratwurst Woman / Customer 1 / Waitress
- Ling-Hsueh Tang as Aunty Rose
- Todd MacDonald taking the role of Ross
Reception and ratings
Throughout its debut season, The Family Law attracted an average national viewership of 417,000 and ranked as the most-watched program on SBS On Demand. Prior to its broadcast premiere, the exclusive Facebook launch of its first episode garnered 1.1 million views.
Critical reception
Critics responded favorably to the series. Daily Review Australia commended its ability to craft an engaging comedy rooted in everyday experiences, emphasizing its charming nature. The Guardian lauded the writing, directing, and production design for their heartfelt and authentic depiction of Australian family dynamics, awarding it a rating of four out of five stars.
Awards and accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6th AACTA Awards | AACTA Award for Best Television Comedy Series | The Family Law | Template:Nom |
| AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performance | Fiona Choi | Template:Nom | ||
| 2017 | Australian Directors Guild Awards | Best Direction in a TV or SVOD Comedy Program | Jonathan Brough (episode: "Queensland's Got Talent") | Template:Nom |
External links
- Articles with short description
- Special Broadcasting Service original programming
- 2010s Australian comedy television series
- 2016 Australian television series debuts
- 2019 Australian television series endings
- Television series by Matchbox Pictures
- 2010s LGBTQ-related sitcoms
- Australian LGBTQ-related television shows