Lunatics is an Australian mockumentary comedy television series that premiered on Netflix on 19 April 2019. The ten-part series, written by and starring Chris Lilley, continues the mockumentary style of his previous series.[1][2]
| Lunatics | |
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| Genre | |
| Created by | Chris Lilley |
| Written by | Chris Lilley |
| Directed by | Chris Lilley |
| Starring | Chris Lilley |
| Theme music composer |
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| Composer | Chris Lilley |
| Country of origin | Australia United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Production locations | |
| Cinematography | Brigham Edgar |
| Editors |
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| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 33–38 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | 19 April 2019 |
| Related | |
Synopsis
editLunatics is a mockumentary series that explores the lives and narrative of six different characters, all played by Lilley.[3] Each character has his or her own eccentricity in terms of lifestyle and behaviour. The characters include fashion retailer Keith Dick; estate agent Quentin Cook; 7-foot college student Becky Douglas; 12-year old Gavin McGregor, who is an heir to an earldom; ex-pornstar Joyce Jeffries; and South African Jana Melhoopen-Jonks, a celebrity pet psychic who is also a lesbian.[4]
A review notes that Lunatics follows Lilley's previous series, Summer Heights High, but the universe expanded past the school.[5]
Cast and characters
editThere are six primary characters featured in Lunatics, all portrayed by Chris Lilley.
- Keith Dick - a fashion wannabe who is in love with Karen, a cash register
- Becky Douglas - a 7-foot-3 girl who has moved to California to attend college with her non-identical twin sister
- Gavin McGregor - an obnoxious 12 year old destined to become the future earl of an English country estate
- Jana Melhoopen-Jonks - a South African lesbian pet psychic to the stars
- Quentin Cook - an incompetent real-estate agent who dreams of one day becoming a famous DJ and artist
- Joyce Jeffries - a former adult film star who has become an extreme hoarder
Other characters
edit- Leena Arora as Patika Dick
- Amanda Murphy as Marilyn
- Anne McCaffery-French as Helen
- Philip Keogan as Ken
- Joe Murray as Dylan
- Harry Radbone as Oscar
- Millie Morice as Clementine
- Emma Wilson as Colleen
- Ariana Doolan as Rashish
- Chloe Stout as Lucy
- Dylan Gavasse as Jack
- Alyssa Macintosh as Sharnay
- Cameron Leonard as Aaron
- Tracey McGown as Becky's Mum
- Darren McGown as Becky's Dad
- Katy Ferguson as Renee
- Evie Ferguson as Renee's 1st daughter
- Milly Ferguson as Renee's 2nd daughter
- Jessica Rockliff as Ingrid
- Bianca Daniels as Kylie
- Michelle Smit as Client
- Brock Thornburgh as Ethan
- Jett Thornburgh as Dustin
- Steve Minton as Brian
- Kim Kemp as Lyn
- Judi Young as Rhonda
- Antony Turrisi as Con
- Kane Sheehy as Harrison
- Min Suk Chin as Lingers (Tsun-Ling)
- Cassie Wang as Nancy
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 7 | "Episode 7" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 8 | "Episode 8" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 9 | "Episode 9" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
| 10 | "Episode 10" | Chris Lilley | Chris Lilley | 19 April 2019 |
Production
editDevelopment
editIn March 2018, it was announced that Lilley had been signed by Netflix to create a 10-part series.[7] The series was filmed on the Gold Coast, Queensland.[8]
Casting
editAlongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that Lilley would star in the lead role.[7]
Release
editOn 11 April 2019, the official trailer for the series was released. The first season was released on Netflix on 19 April 2019.[9]
References
edit- ^ Carmody, Broede (11 April 2019). "Netflix tight-lipped on controversial new Chris Lilley character". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- ^ "Four Chris Lilley shows removed from Netflix Australia library". TheGuardian.com. 10 June 2020.
- ^ Mangan, Lucy (19 April 2019). "Lunatics review – thankfully no blackface, but still painfully unfunny". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ Idato, Michael (26 April 2019). "Chris Lilley's latest offering owes nothing to anyone, and it shows". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ Amanda Lundgren (16 April 2019). "If You Loved 'Summer Heights High,' Netflix Is About to Drop Your New Obsession". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ "Lunatics – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ a b White, Peter (5 March 2018). "Netflix Orders Australian Comedy Series From 'Summer Heights High's Chris Lilley". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ Meade, Amanda (6 March 2018). "Chris Lilley to make 10-part comedy series for Netflix". the Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ Nissen, Daniel (11 April 2019). "TV News Roundup: Netflix Releases Chris Lilley's 'Lunatics' Trailer". Variety. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
