No Comedy Stans

Press release time!

March 12, 2024 – Stan, Australia’s leading local streaming service and unrivalled home of original productions, announced 25 Stan Originals across television, film and documentaries during an intimate Stan Originals Showcase held at the iconic Sydney Opera House. 

We know what you’re thinking: comedy is back baby! After all, with 25 Stan Originals heading our way, there’s got to be a bunch of comedies in there, right?

And that’s the biggest laugh you’ll get here. Oh sure, there’s stuff like this:

comedy crime thriller Population 11 starring Ben Feldman premiering Thursday

Which, as we all know, really means “crime thriller where people act like dickheads”. But otherwise the line-up is full of this:

psychological drama series

And this:

gripping psychological thriller

Plus this:

A psychological thriller

And of course, this:

10-episode LGBTQIA+ drama

(presumably there’s a psychological angle there somewhere)

The closest we get to a local comedy in the whole 25 shows announced is this:

SUNNY NIGHTS

Starting production in 2024, darkly-comedic drama series Sunny Nights is about how a little bit of sun, a change of scenery, and a touch of violent crime can help a person find their true self. The series follows two siblings who venture to Sydney determined to grow their struggling spray tan business, but when they get caught up in the city’s criminal underworld, they must figure out how to stay alive, out of prison, and in the black. Directed by Trent O’Donnell, with writers Ty Freer, Nick Keetch, Marieke Hardy, Lally Katz, Clare Sladden and Niki Aken. A Jungle Entertainment (Stan Original Series Population 11) and Echo Lake Entertainment Production (The Great), with major production investment from Stan in association with Screen Australia.

Hey, Marieke Hardy’s still getting work! Guess that’s the second laugh here.

You might not want to hold your breath waiting for a third.