SBS drama Homebodies explores identity, family and the ghosts of the past
SBS is set to premiere a new Australian drama, Homebodies, later this month, centring on a trans man forced to confront his past when he returns to his regional hometown.
The six-part series will debut on Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, following its selection for this year’s Series Mania in France.
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Homebodies stars Luke Wiltshire as Darcy, a trans man who reluctantly returns home to care for his estranged mother, Nora, played by Claudia Karvan. But the homecoming is complicated by the presence of Dee, portrayed by Jazi Hall — the teenage ghost of Darcy’s pre-transition self.
As Darcy and Nora attempt to navigate their fractured relationship, long-standing tensions resurface. Darcy is forced to reckon with aspects of his past he had hoped to leave behind.
The cast also includes Roxie Mohebbi as George, Darcy’s childhood crush.
Set in the fictional town of Torwoo and filmed in Oberon and Portland in regional New South Wales, the series blends elements of family drama with a supernatural twist. At its centre is the evolving relationship between a mother and son learning to understand one another again.
The series will have its world premiere in France next month after being selected for Series Mania, and launches ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility on Tuesday 31 March.
Homebodies was commissioned through the Digital Originals initiative, a partnership between Screen Australia and NITV, designed to support short-form drama projects for SBS platforms and creatives who are under-represented in the sector, including people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations Australians, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTIQ+, and those based in regional and remote areas.
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The series was created by AP Pobjoy, who also co-wrote the project with Charlotte Mars. Direction is led by Harry Lloyd alongside Pobjoy. It is produced by Cyna Strachan at Mad Ones Films.
Strachan said the series reflects on identity and connection.
“Homebodies is a series that makes space for who we were, who we are – and the messy, loving journey in-between.
It sees the best in complicated people who are driven by love and longing for connection.
Queer and trans stories continue to be incredibly important to us at Mad Ones, and representation is especially important in the current climate.
We are thrilled to bring this offering to SBS audiences – and hope it makes audiences laugh loudly, shed a tear or two, and find kindness towards their younger selves.”
Creator and writer AP Pobjoy said the project was a personal story brought to life by its cast.
“We are thrilled to bring Homebodies to SBS audiences – a personal story about identity, family and coming home.
We’ve been so lucky to work with a fantastic cast, including Claudia Karvan, Luke Wiltshire and Jazi Hall, who have brought extraordinary depth and authenticity to these roles, grounding the supernatural in something deeply human.”
Nakul Legha, Head of SBS Scripted, described the series as an example of contemporary Australian storytelling.
“Homebodies is a joyous and deeply moving piece of Australian storytelling.
It embodies our ambition at SBS Scripted to tell daring, emotionally truthful stories that reflect contemporary Australia.
We’re so proud of the team and the many ways this series will resonate with all the Darcys, Dees and Noras out there.
At a time when simply being yourself feels fraught, this series is vital and courageous.
It’s a testament to the impact of the Digital Originals initiative with Screen Australia in bringing bold new Australian voices to the screen.”
Louise Gough, Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, said the series explores reconciliation with the past.
“Set in rural Australia, Homebodies is grounded in the universally relatable truism – that our journey towards healing begins with reconciling with our past.
Homebodies embodies the heart of the Digital Originals initiative and what is possible when under-represented voices are supported and amplified.
From a creative team led by AP Pobjoy, this story is equal parts eerie, funny and sincerely heartfelt, and is destined to connect with audiences at home and across the world.”
Homebodies is a Mad Ones Films production for SBS, with principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, and support from Screen NSW and WeirAnderson Films. Local distribution is by SBS.
The series will be open captioned and subtitled on SBS On Demand in five languages: Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Traditional Chinese and Korean.
Homebodies premieres Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
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