Spirited (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Spirited is an Australian television drama series made for subscription television channel W which aired for two seasons, from 2010-2011.
The series stars Claudia Karvan
, as dentist Suzy Darling, who walks away from a loveless marriage and into an old apartment block that is inhabited by the ghost of a 1980s English rock star Henry Mallet, played by Matt King
. Suzy had been married to husband Steve Darling, played by Rodger Corser
, for 15 years and they have two children son Elvis, 13, (Louis Fowler) and daughter Verity, 8, (Charlie Hancock). Belinda Bromilow
plays Suzy’s sister Jonquil. It is revealed that although Suzy is the only human able to see Henry, animals such as the resident cat are able to sense his presence, however Henry has been able to frighten the caretaker into a heart attack by blowing into his ear.
Spirited is produced by John Edwards
, Claudia Karvan
and Jacquelin Perske who also created drama series Love My Way
. It is directed by Stuart McDonald and Jessica Hobbs.
On 15 October 2011, it was reported that the series was cancelled. Immediately following this announcement, members of the fan community responded by launching the "SOS: Save Our Spirited" protest.
The first season was "Foxtel
's most successful Australian drama." Although the target audience was "women in their 40s", it also gained the interest of male teenagers, for the "punk character" of Henry Mallet, according to Karvan.
In a video review, Doug Anderson (The Age
/The Guide) and Lenny Ann Low (SMH) described the series as "very engaging", and "quality drama" with no problems in its style, substance or ideas.
The Age reviewer Brad Newsome described the second season premiere as "just as imaginative and funny as any that has gone before." In the week following, Newsome described the show as "one of the most imaginative things on TV, blending romance, drama and comedy into a wonderfully satisfying whole."
The seventh episode in the first series, Riders on the Storm, written by Jacquelin Perske (writer of the film Little Fish
), was one of three nominees for the 2011 Australian Writers Guild AWGIE Award for best scriptwriting in a television series.
The series stars Claudia Karvan
Claudia Karvan
Claudia Karvan is an Australian actress popular for her roles in the television series The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. She is also a producer and writer on Love My Way. She currently stars in the drama series Spirited...
, as dentist Suzy Darling, who walks away from a loveless marriage and into an old apartment block that is inhabited by the ghost of a 1980s English rock star Henry Mallet, played by Matt King
Matt King (comedian)
Matt King is an English actor, writer of BBC sitcom Whites and comedian. He is known for his role as self-absorbed musician Super Hans in the British sitcom Peep Show....
. Suzy had been married to husband Steve Darling, played by Rodger Corser
Rodger Corser
Rodger Corser is an Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen in the Nine Network crime mini-series Underbelly, based on the Melbourne gangland killings, and Senior Seargent Lawson Blake in the Network Ten police drama series Rush.-Early...
, for 15 years and they have two children son Elvis, 13, (Louis Fowler) and daughter Verity, 8, (Charlie Hancock). Belinda Bromilow
Belinda Bromilow
Belinda Bromilow is an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Spirited, Packed to the Rafters and Talk to Me.-TV Credits:*Spirited as Jonquil*Packed to the Rafters as Libby*Talk to Me as Nicole...
plays Suzy’s sister Jonquil. It is revealed that although Suzy is the only human able to see Henry, animals such as the resident cat are able to sense his presence, however Henry has been able to frighten the caretaker into a heart attack by blowing into his ear.
Spirited is produced by John Edwards
John Edwards (producer)
John Edwards is a television drama producer.His series credits include Rush , Love My Way , The Secret Life of Us , Police Rescue , The Surgeon , Fireflies , Big Sky and Stringer .His mini-series include Marking Time , On The Beach , Do...
, Claudia Karvan
Claudia Karvan
Claudia Karvan is an Australian actress popular for her roles in the television series The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. She is also a producer and writer on Love My Way. She currently stars in the drama series Spirited...
and Jacquelin Perske who also created drama series Love My Way
Love My Way
Love My Way was a Logie Award winning and critically acclaimed Australian television drama series. It won the AFI award for Best Television Drama Series for each of its three seasons ....
. It is directed by Stuart McDonald and Jessica Hobbs.
On 15 October 2011, it was reported that the series was cancelled. Immediately following this announcement, members of the fan community responded by launching the "SOS: Save Our Spirited" protest.
Cast
- Claudia KarvanClaudia KarvanClaudia Karvan is an Australian actress popular for her roles in the television series The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. She is also a producer and writer on Love My Way. She currently stars in the drama series Spirited...
as Suzy Darling - Matt KingMatt King (comedian)Matt King is an English actor, writer of BBC sitcom Whites and comedian. He is known for his role as self-absorbed musician Super Hans in the British sitcom Peep Show....
as Henry Mallet - Rodger CorserRodger CorserRodger Corser is an Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen in the Nine Network crime mini-series Underbelly, based on the Melbourne gangland killings, and Senior Seargent Lawson Blake in the Network Ten police drama series Rush.-Early...
as Steve Darling - Belinda BromilowBelinda BromilowBelinda Bromilow is an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Spirited, Packed to the Rafters and Talk to Me.-TV Credits:*Spirited as Jonquil*Packed to the Rafters as Libby*Talk to Me as Nicole...
as Jonquil Payne - Louis Fowler as Elvis Darling
- Charlie Hancock as Verity Darling
- Angus SampsonAngus SampsonAngus Murray Lincoln Sampson is an Australian actor, voice-over artist, director and writer based in Los Angeles and Melbourne.-Early life:Sampson was born in Sydney, Australia. A former ward of the state, he was educated at the Trinity Grammar School in Sydney prior to winning a place at The...
as Zach Hannigan - Jane Harders as Rita
- Russell DykstraRussell DykstraRussell Dykstra is an Australian actor of screen, stage and TV. He trained at the schools of Jacques Lecoq and Philippe Gaulier.-Partial filmography:* Soft Fruit , 1999 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role...
as Adam One (Season 1) - Paul Gleeson as Terry
- Yael Stone as Linda
Reception
UK reviewer Dan Owen gave the pilot episode 1.5 of 4 stars, writing, "There’s a beautifully simple and engaging premise to Australian supernatural drama Spirited, but it’s one that unfortunately proves to be the only saving grace of a soporific and plodding pilot." Owen continued, "There are enough questions here to lure you back for awhile". Jo Curtis at UnrealityTV.com found the pilot "funny; it’s very funny, but probably only if you have a sense of humour that tends towards black", and described the comedy and Karvan's character transformation to be "a breath of fresh air."The first season was "Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
's most successful Australian drama." Although the target audience was "women in their 40s", it also gained the interest of male teenagers, for the "punk character" of Henry Mallet, according to Karvan.
In a video review, Doug Anderson (The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
/The Guide) and Lenny Ann Low (SMH) described the series as "very engaging", and "quality drama" with no problems in its style, substance or ideas.
The Age reviewer Brad Newsome described the second season premiere as "just as imaginative and funny as any that has gone before." In the week following, Newsome described the show as "one of the most imaginative things on TV, blending romance, drama and comedy into a wonderfully satisfying whole."
The seventh episode in the first series, Riders on the Storm, written by Jacquelin Perske (writer of the film Little Fish
Little Fish (film)
Little Fish is a 2005 Australian film directed by Rowan Woods and written by Jacquelin Perske. It was filmed in and around Sydney, in Cabramatta and in Fairfield...
), was one of three nominees for the 2011 Australian Writers Guild AWGIE Award for best scriptwriting in a television series.
Home video releases
| DVD Season | # Episodes |
# Disc(s) |
Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | Special Features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | 2 | None | ||||
| Season 2 | 10 |
External links
- Spirited-TV.net Fan site