Foxtel Renews Upright for season 2

Foxtel Renews Upright for season 2
Credit Mark Rodgers/Foxtel

FOXTEL, Screen Australia and Lingo Pictures announced today 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 hugely successful 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.”

Tim will be joined by co-star Milly Alcock, who returns as feisty teenager Meg. One of Australia’s most in demand young actresses, Milly was recently cast in the hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon, which will premiere on FOXTEL in 2022.

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.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Content Sally Caplan said, “We are thrilled to be supporting Lingo Pictures to bring Upright back for a second season. Viewers around the world fell in love with season one and with a standout creative team on season two, including writers Tim Minchin, Niki Aken, Ian Meadows and Natesha Somasundaram, we hope audiences are ready to hit the road once again with Lucky and Meg when it releases on FOXTEL!”

Jason Stephens, Lead Producer and Creative Director at Lingo Pictures said, “It’s so exciting to be producing Upright once more. Already the season two scripts have been generating a huge buzz so we can’t wait to get started. For those who loved the first season, I promise you will not be disappointed.”

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.

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