Foxtel, Screen Australia and Lingo Pictures have announced the critically acclaimed comedy drama Upright – starring actor, musician and comedian Tim Minchin and rising global star Milly Alcock – has been renewed for a second season.
The eight-part series will be produced by Lingo Pictures for Foxtel and Sky UK, with Jason Stephens (Lambs of God) returning as producer. Meg O’Connell (Robbie Hood) will also produce, with Lingo Pictures’ Helen Bowden (The Secrets She Keeps) as executive producer. Writers on the series include Niki Aken (The Hunting), Ian Meadows (Seachange) and Natesha Somasundaram (The Unlisted), with Tim Minchin also writing and executive producing the series. Executive producers for Foxtel are Brian Walsh and Lana Greenhalgh.
The first season of Upright premiered to rave reviews in Australia, the UK and the US, and took out the key comedy categories at the 2020 AACTA Awards, winning Best Comedy Series, while Tim Minchin won Best Comedy Performer.
The second season will see misfit duo Lucky and Meg trade the desert for the steamy tropics of Far North Queensland as they hit the road – and the river – on a mission. The series will be made in association with Screen Queensland, with support from Screen NSW and Cutting Edge.
Returning to the role of 40-something musician Lucky, Tim Minchin – who will again co-write, star in and compose music for the series – said, “The experience of making Upright was such a joy, and audience reactions from all over the world were so incredibly positive and moving, we knew we had to send Meg and Lucky on another adventure. There’s a lot of story still to tell, and such a fantastic team of people lined up to tell it.”
Foxtel executive director of television Brian Walsh said, “Tim Minchin’s Upright was a smash hit for Foxtel and a subsequent breakout success when it was brought to Binge audiences last summer. The series is uniquely Australian, brash and bold, full of fun and great heart. The story of Lucky and Meg, and their unexpected journey across the Nullarbor, won fans of all ages – and we’re set to take off once again on a memorable road trip with unexpected consequences. Foxtel is delighted to partner with the brilliant Tim Minchin and the team at Lingo Pictures for this much anticipated second season.”
The second season of Upright is currently in development, with filming to commence in Queensland in 2022.
The complete first season of Upright is currently available to watch On Demand on Foxtel.