Podcast | Matt Okine (Mother and Son) – The ABC is returning Mother and Son to our screens.
Combining the comedic talents of two of Australia’s most beloved comedians, Matt Okine and Denise Scott, this fresh re-imagining of an iconic family favourite is guaranteed to win the hearts of those who know and love the original and delight fans of contemporary Australian comedy.
In collaboration with the original creator Geoffrey Atherden, re-creator and writer Matt Okine, alongside the producing team at Wooden Horse, the team have created the perfect blend of wit, humour, and relatability, promising viewers an unforgettable and laughter-filled experience.
Stand up comedian, author and radio presenter Matt Okine can now add actor to that list (although actually this is not his first rodeo) filling the shoes of one of Australia’s greatest comedian talents – Garry McDonald in the role of Arthur.
On this podcast, Mother and Son actor and re creator, Matt Okine chats about:
- anticipation of feedback for the new series
- re watching the original series
- Denise Scott filling the shoes of Ruth Cracknell
- the character of Arthur
- balancing comedy and drama
- slow burn to bring this series to life
- getting the acting bug
- being more of an ensemble rather than focusing only on Arthur / Maggie
- what is coming up in terms of work
- His book ‘Being Black ‘n’ Chicken and Chips
- turning the book into a feature film
- the pressure of the upcoming reviews for Mother and Son
Mother and Son – Wednesday 23 August at 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
TV Central ABC content HERE
Thanks to Tracey Taylor at ABC for organising this podcast
Pick your player below. The podcast is also available through Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Amazon, iheart Radio and more
Mother and Son
Combining the comedic talents of two of Australia’s most beloved comedians, Matt Okine and Denise Scott, this fresh re-imagining of an iconic family favourite is guaranteed to win the hearts of those who know and love the original and delight fans of contemporary Australian comedy.
Following a breakup from his long-suffering girlfriend, Dee (Andrea Demetriades), Arthur (Matt Okine) puts his future on hold to move back home with his widowed mother, Maggie (Denise Scott). Arthur and his older sister, Robbie (Angela Nica Sullen) – arguably ‘the favourite’ – attempt to care for Maggie, who may recently have almost burnt down the kitchen, but still runs circles around her children!
Joining the cast is Catherine Văn-Davies (The Twelve, Barons), with special appearances from Jean Kittson (The Big Gig, Fat Pizza), Virginia Gay (Safe Home, Winners and Losers), Tiriel Mora (Frontline, The Castle), Jenna Owen (Queen of Oz, Joe vs. Carole), Veronica Milsom (Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, After the Verdict), Andrew McFarlane (Secret City, Glitch), Krew Boylan (Seriously Red), Justin Amankwah (Aftertaste, Shantaram) and TikTok sensation Zara Tate.
In collaboration with the original creator Geoffrey Atherden, re-creator and writer Matt Okine, Sarah Walker, Tristram Baumber and directors Neil Sharma (Heartbreak High) and Kriv Stenders (Bump, Red Dog) alongside the producing team at Wooden Horse, have created the perfect blend of wit, humour, and relatability, promising viewers an unforgettable and laughter-filled experience.
Production credit: Mother and Son is a Wooden Horse production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC.
Developed and financed with assistance from Screen NSW. Based on the Original Series by Geoffrey Atherden. Written by: Matt Okine, Sarah L. Walker, Tristram Baumber. Produced by Jude Troy. Associate Producer Alexandra Cameron. Executive Producers: Jude Troy, Richard Finlayson, Matt Okine, Geoffrey Atherden. ABC Executive Producers: Todd Abbott, Louise Smith. International Sales: ABC Commercial.
Matt Okine – Mother and Son (executive producer, writer and starring as Arthur Boyle)
Arthur wants what his parents had: commitment, kids, and a house full of love. But he doesn’t want to do any of the hard work to make it happen. When we meet Arthur, it’s been one year since his father, Leo, passed away – and one month since his mum, Maggie, almost burned the house down in a kitchen fire.
After Maggie refuses to move into an aged care home and his ex-girlfriend Dee decides to move further away to Canberra, Arthur decides to move into his childhood home to take care of Maggie.
Hapless, discouraged and a little lost, Arthur is a writer by profession and is struggling to make a living in the world of internet-based journalism and content creation.
Arthur knows he disappointed his father by not taking on the family business, and he’s hellbent on proving to his Mum that it hasn’t been in vain. He’s got a plan, which might involve Dee, or perhaps the delightful Maya. Deep down, it’s not that Arthur just wants a family… it’s that he wants Maggie to still be around when it happens. But the more time Arthur spends with his Mum, the more he realises how quickly his time is running out.
Multi-talented actor, writer & presenter Matt Okine is one of Australia’s favourite award winning comedians, having spent over 15 years appearing on screens and stages around Australia and the world.
Matt spent three years co-hosting Triple J radio’s hugely successful national Breakfast Show before hanging up his headphones to go into production on the television adaption of his award-winning semi-autobiographical stand up show The Other Guy for Australian streamer STAN.
Matt co-wrote and starred in the show, which aired in 2017 and later that year earned him an AACTA nomination for Subscription TV Best New Talent. In 2019, Matt
released the second season of The Other Guy, which was seen on STAN and Hulu.
Okine has won several awards including the ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release, The Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Director’s Choice Award, and the Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (which he shared with Ronny Chieng), as well as being nominated for Best Comedy Performer at the Helpmann Awards.
On screen, Matt has appeared in several shows including Stateless (ABC & Netflix), Orange Is The New Brown (Ch7) and Doctor Doctor (CH9). He’s appeared in films Aquamarine, Paramount’s Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Christmas Ransom (STAN).
Matt’s debut novel Being Black N Chicken & Chips has been published by Hachette Australia. This heart-warming coming of age novel is based on his 2012 live show, which earnt him his Best Newcomer Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and a Best Newcomer Nomination at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Being Black n Chicken n Chips was shortlisted for the 2020 ABIA Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, and he has appeared at writing festivals around Australia.
Matt returned to the airwaves in 2020 with his former cohost Alex Dyson to host SCA’s All Day Breakfast on their Listnr app. Their fans welcomed them back with open arms and ears.
Matt is currently working on a film adaptation of his novel, Being Black N Chicken & Chips, with Wooden Horse Productions and the Oscar-nominated production team at Aquarius Films.
Matt Okine
