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
Genre
Created byChris Lilley
Written byChris Lilley
Directed byChris Lilley
StarringChris Lilley
Theme music composer
  • Chris Lilley
ComposerChris Lilley
Country of originAustralia
United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • Chris Lilley
  • Laura Waters
Producers
  • Chris Lilley
  • Laura Waters
Production locations
CinematographyBrigham Edgar
Editors
  • Hayley Dinnison
  • Nick McDougall
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time33–38 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
Release19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
Related

Synopsis

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Lunatics 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

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There 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

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  • 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

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [6]
1"Episode 1"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
2"Episode 2"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
3"Episode 3"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
4"Episode 4"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
5"Episode 5"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
6"Episode 6"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
7"Episode 7"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
8"Episode 8"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
9"Episode 9"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)
10"Episode 10"Chris LilleyChris Lilley19 April 2019 (2019-04-19)

Production

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Development

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In 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

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Alongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that Lilley would star in the lead role.[7]

Release

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On 11 April 2019, the official trailer for the series was released. The first season was released on Netflix on 19 April 2019.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Carmody, Broede (11 April 2019). "Netflix tight-lipped on controversial new Chris Lilley character". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Four Chris Lilley shows removed from Netflix Australia library". TheGuardian.com. 10 June 2020.
  3. ^ Mangan, Lucy (19 April 2019). "Lunatics review – thankfully no blackface, but still painfully unfunny". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Amanda Lundgren (16 April 2019). "If You Loved 'Summer Heights High,' Netflix Is About to Drop Your New Obsession". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Lunatics – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Meade, Amanda (6 March 2018). "Chris Lilley to make 10-part comedy series for Netflix". the Guardian. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  9. ^ Nissen, Daniel (11 April 2019). "TV News Roundup: Netflix Releases Chris Lilley's 'Lunatics' Trailer". Variety. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
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