Finding DAD

BEN MILLER and SALLY PHILLIPS on their sitcom exploring family dynamics

- SEAN MARLAND

AUSTIN

NEW FRI, 9.30PM (TIMES VARY), BBC1 COMEDY (BOX SET, IPLAYER)

A neurodiverse man’s quest to connect with his biological father is at the heart of BBC1’s Australian import Austin. Filmed on location in Canberra and London, the eight-part dramedy sees Professor T star Ben Miller as Julian Hartswood, a bestselling British children’s author who is promoting his beloved Big Bear franchise in Oz with his illustrator wife Ingrid (Miranda’s Sally Phillips) when he finds himself on the brink of being cancelled after causing a social-media storm.

Julian’s life becomes even more complicated when 28-year-old Austin Hogan (Michael Theo), the son he never knew existed, turns up out of the blue during a book signing.

TV Times caught up with Ben, 59, who co-created and co-writes the series, and Sally, 54, for an exclusive chat to find out more…

Austin proved an instant hit when it debuted in Australia last year, with a second series already on the way. Ben, what was the initial inspiration for the story?