New on Paramount+ is its next Aussie original in Dalliance.
When the series begins, we meet retired cameraman Billy (Hugo Weaving) and struggling chef Dani (Heather Mitchell), who meet aboard a Sydney Harbour ferry during a skiff race. Billy is trying to escape his estranged younger brother Gary (David Wenham) and Dani agrees to help him out of his jam. If this were a romcom, this would be their meet cute. But alas, after winning big on a bet, Dani takes Billy home to his wife Rose (Georgie Parker).
As they bond, Dani requests to borrow Billy for the night as her plus-one to a fancy award night. Rose accepts and Dani is quickly drawn into their friendship group.
There’s Luke (Wayne Blair), who is feeling adrift and is the exact opposite of his wife Adele (Carolyn Bock). Sarah (Catherine McClements) is single and living in a caravan, while Manaaki (Kirk Torrence) is doing his best. And rounding out the group is loving couple Rex (Russell Dykstra) and Dylan (Ryan Panizza).
Across six episodes, Dalliance reveals what happened on the night of the awards dinner and the impact that reverberates around the group.
Producer John Edwards has given us shows at every stage of life, and Dalliance is a welcome addition to the slate. Written by Pip Karmel, Chris Less and Jock Serong the series explores friendship and other topics of life in your sixties. It’s a wonderful performance from Mitchell, Parker, and Weaving, but by the series end, you feel a full spectrum of emotion as each character gets their chance to shine.
This is one of the best Australian dramas of the year.
5 Stars
Dalliance is now streaming on Paramount+.
