The third and final season of the Foxtel Original series Mr Inbetween will begin screening in Australia from Wednesday, May 26 with an express screening at 3:05 pm followed by an 8:30 pm encore.
This nine-episode season will round out a show that was first launched in 2018, but the central character of the show, Ray Shoesmith has been in development since the 1990s.
Mediaweek spoke with the show’s creator, writer and lead actor Scott Ryan about what audiences can expect from the conclusion of the show and what the future has in store.
Ending Mr Inbetween
Ryan said that he is at peace with the show coming to an end with these final nine episodes.
“It feels so good. I have had enough of him.
“He has been around since about 1998 or 1999 which means it’s been about 23 years, so I am sick and tired of him and can’t wait to get rid of him.”
With the story coming to an end Ryan believes that he told the story he wanted to tell with the show.
“It continues the journey and takes it to its destination and hopefully people respond to it positively.
“Season one was all about a guy who is this bulletproof type of guy that can get himself out of any situation.
“Season two was a little darker and a bit more of a character study, and you begin to see the cracks appearing in this person and their life as it becomes unmanageable in some ways.
“This kind of carries through with season three, rather than his personal life being the biggest problem, it is his working life that takes the biggest toll in season three.”
Scott Ryan in Mr Inbetween
Even though Ryan has been working on this story since the 90’s he said he did not settle on the final conclusion till the filming of season two of the show.
“After season two I kind of thought well, you know, it is probably time to wrap it up now.”
The show was originally meant to be the first FX Australia original before the channel was shut down and the show was moved to Fox Showcase in Australia, but it still runs on FX in the states. Ryan said when making the show he doesn’t consider either the American or Australian audiences.
“I don’t think much about the audience at all in regard to who I am aiming it at, I just write something that I would like to watch. If I was to watch a TV show; this is what I would like to watch and that’s basically it.”
The show is not for the faint of heart with a signature penchant for unique violence that blends in an Australian colloquial flavour. Ryan said that this comes from inspiration both in real life and fiction.
“Some of the stuff is based on real life stuff but most of it is not and is fiction. Most of it is stuff that I read in books or I am just ripping off other people’s work from TV and films. I basically just steal from people and their lives and the internet, TV, cinema, I basically just steal off everyone left right and centre.”
Working with Nash Edgerton on Mr Inbetween
Since Ryan debuted the character of Ray Shoesmith in a 30-minute version of the film The Magician at the St. Kilda Film Festival, director Nash Edgerton has been a champion of trying to get the show made and has also directed every episode of the series. Ryan described their partnership that has been very fruitful over the years.
“The show was done really, really well for an Australian TV show, and to be picked up by a US network the way it was, so it definitely has been a very fruitful experience.”
Nash Edgerton, Brooke Satchwell and Scott Ryan in 2018
What does the future hold?
With the show wrapping up, Ryan said the first thing on the docket for his future is having a bit of a break.
“Just relaxing really and having a holiday which I haven’t had in some time, and then get the creative juices flowing again and then onto the next thing.”
When asked if this was the last time, we would see the character of Ray Shoesmith, Ryan wouldn’t fully shut the door on a return.
“Who knows mate, Ray Shoesmith could pop up anywhere so people should best be careful I guess.”