Stan has announced filming has commenced on the new original series – Totally Completely Fine – a co-production between Sundance Now and Stan, and produced by Fremantle Australia.
Inspired by true events, the six-part dark comedy series is led by Thomasin McKenzie (JoJo Rabbit, Last Night in Soho) and explores the complexities of grief, the power of friendship, and the ways our sadness can unite us. The series examines family, legacy and ultimately asks: how many lives do we have to save before we’ll save ourselves?
Alongside McKenzie, Totally Completely Fine stars Devon Terrell (Rap Shit, Cursed), Brandon McClelland (ANZAC Girls, Stan Original Series The Other Guy), Rowan Witt (Book of Mormon – Original Australian Cast, Spreadsheet), Contessa Treffone (Doctor Doctor, Here Out West), James Sweeny (Total Control, Home and Away), Max Crean (Mystic) and Brigid Zengeni (The Good Liar, MotherFatherSon).
The previously announced Gretel Vella (Stan Exclusive series The Great) project, now titled Totally Completely Fine, follows 20-something Vivian Cunningham (McKenzie), whose life is a mess.
Vivian accidentally burns down her brother’s vegan food truck with a bacon-flavoured vape, before inheriting her grandfather’s coastal clifftop house, and is tasked with helping people who come too close to the edge. Strangely enough, they’re responding to her chaotic, nihilistic brand of psychology. Maybe, just maybe, in saving these people, she’ll slowly start to save herself?
Devon Terrell and Thomasin McKenzie
Stan’s chief content officer Cailah Scobie said: “Stan is delighted to again partner with Sundance Now on Totally Completely Fine, a poignant Stan Original Series that brings to life a profound tale of family, belonging and grief. This is our second Stan Original with the talented Gretel Vella, working alongside the creative team at Fremantle to secure an outstanding young cast. We look forward to sharing this series with audiences on Stan soon.”
Shannon Cooper, vice president, programming, Sundance Now said: “Totally Completely Fine brilliantly and compassionately tackles timely issues that surround our lives and the lives of those we cherish. We proudly support Gretel’s incredible vision and execution of the series, and it has been a true pleasure working alongside her, Stan and Fremantle since day one.”
Creator and executive producer Gretel Vella said: “Totally Completely Fine is my heart project, and I am so thrilled to be collaborating with Sundance, Stan and Fremantle to bring it to life! A response to the mental health crisis, Totally Completely Fine was written for myself and so many other people in my life.
“To let them know they aren’t alone, that mess is ok, and sometimes the pain and anxieties we try and hide can be our greatest superpowers. I am so excited for the world to meet our unlikely hero Vivian, and the rest of the Cunningham family. Sometimes neurotic, frequently chaotic, but hey, always bloody entertaining,” she added.
Executive producer for Fremantle Australia Nat Lindwall said: “It’s rare that bringing a series to fruition teaches you so much about life. My hope is that Gretel Vella’s unique world and irresistible characters bring as much joy as they do catharsis – Lucy Gaffy’s direction is the perfect final ingredient. May the audience embrace and be impacted by Viv’s journey as much as we have.”
Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW, said: “Screen NSW is proud to support strong female-led television series Totally Completely Fine. With the exciting talent of Gretel Vella writing the series and director Lucy Gaffy as set up director, this production is also delivering significant employment opportunities for our local creative talent. I cannot wait to see it on screens.”
Stan’s Original Series Totally Completely Fine is created and executive produced by Gretel Vella (Stan Exclusive series The Great, Stan Original Film A Sunburnt Christmas), who writes alongside Keir Wilkins (Surviving Summer) and Emme Hoy (STC’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall).
The series is produced by Alice Willison (Stan Original Series The Other Guy), with Nat Lindwall as executive producer. The series is directed by Lucy Gaffy (Here Out West, Doctor, Doctor), with Adrian Chiarella (Dwarf Planet) directing episode four with support from VicScreen.
Financed with the assistance of Screen NSW under the Made in NSW Fund. Totally Completely Fine partners are AMC Networks’ Sundance Now and Fremantle. Fremantle will distribute the series internationally.
–
Top image: Contessa Treffone, Devon Terrell, Rowan Witt, Thomasin McKenzie and Brandon McClelland