Redfern Now

The most remarkable aspect of the first episode of Redfern Now‘s second season is how incidental the Indigenous thread is.

This isn’t a story about the Aboriginal community, nor even the Redfern community. This is a story about family. And a difficult one, at that.

“Where the Heart Is,” written and directed by Adrian Russell Wills, centres around the family of Peter (Kirk Page), Richard (Oscar Redding) and their daughter Amy (Saskia Williscroft). As same-sex parents, Peter and Richard share the same daily toils as heterosexual parents: arguing, work pressure, organising family meals, finding quality time together, and effective communication.

But all of this is nothing compared to the challenges they face when Richard is accidentally struck by a car, in the drama’s most unexpected scene. A shell-shocked Peter must face the grim reality that his partner lays on life support in hospital. It’s left to him to contact Richard’s mother Margaret (Noni Hazlehurst), a conservative woman who had effectively cut her son out of her life because of his homosexuality.

In a powerful performance by Hazlehurst we see Margaret struggling to acknowledge Peter. Pent-up feelings of anger, guilt and base maternal instincts consume clear and rational behaviour. When doctors advise they must turn off Richard’s life support, Margaret turns on everybody in sight: Peter, nurses and medical staff. She refuses to listen to Peter’s rights as next of kin. This is ugly stuff, folks.

Peter deals with his grief by immersing himself in excess, which compels Margaret to confront him with a custody battle for Amy. This tug of war comprises the bulk of the drama, and enables the actors to rise to the occasion.

Peter is supported by best friend Lorraine (Deborah Mailman) but she will feel the brunt of his anger before showing him a path forward.

Noni Hazlehurst delivers a powerful performance as a stubborn woman whose morality is steeped in homophobia. It’s hard to like her in this role, but it makes her contribution all the more admirable. Without her there is no story. While I wouldn’t believe for a second that Hazlehurst subscribes to the dialogue she is given, you believe every word that falls from Margaret’s hateful mouth.

Kirk Page remains the anchor for the story, as a man tested by loss and whose very purpose is challenged by family and legal agendas. He admirably portrays a man juggling two minorities -ethnicity and sexuality- with a third, as single parent, knocking on the door.

The success of Redfern Now has also attracted a strong supporting cast. Celia Ireland is the standout as a salt-of-the-earth nurse. Other roles include Hamish Michael, Linda Cropper and Josef Ber.

There are undoubtedly confronting scenes in this sombre tale, in terms of the bleak subject, the emotional hospital scenes and the sexual themes. But what makes Redfern Now so important is its slice of contemporary life, and that it never apologises for keeping it real. That the Indigenous theme is almost a footnote to this episode shows a maturing from first season to second.

For these stories to be showcased in an anthology series is simply the icing on the cake. I look forward to being constantly surprised by an ensemble of our finest actors and writing that raises issues, both universal and deeply Australian.

Redfern Now premieres 8:30pm Thursday on ABC1.