Airdate: Upright

Offbeat road trip Upright will premiere in early December on FOX Showcase.

The half hour series launches with a double episode.

Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock star as two misfits thrown together by chance in the middle of the Australian desert, who forge the unlikeliest of bonds in their quest to get a precious piano from one side of the country to the other.

When family outcast Lucky Flynn (Tim Minchin) learns that his mother is dying, he decides to drive to the other side of Australia to see her, packing nothing but an upright piano for the journey. But his plans are soon turned upside down when he meets the rogue teenager Meg (Milly Alcock). Together they forge an unlikely friendship, as they embark on a road- trip adventure across the Nullarbor Plain in a race against time.

The cast also includes Heather Mitchell (A Place to Call Home, The Great Gatsby, Palm Beach), Daniel Lapaine (Muriel’s Wedding, Black Mirror), Ella Scott Lynch (Love Child, Janet King), Daniel Frederiksen (Ghost Rider, Matilda the Musical, Catastrophe), Kate Box (Rake, Picnic at Hanging Rock), Ningali Lawford-Wolf* (Mystery Road, Last Cab to Darwin), Sachin Joab (Hotel Mumbai, Pine Gap), Luke Carroll (Strangerland, Redfern Now) and Rob Collins (Secret City, Cleverman, The Wrong Girl).

“Making Upright was a complete joy and a massive privilege. After living overseas for more than a decade, I couldn’t have hoped to come home to a more fun and inspiring project: an original Australian outback adventure story, full of heart and laughter, made by some of most talented and dedicated creatives in the country. It’s a unique but universal story about family, resilience, music, forgiveness, and learning how to find a moment to breathe out. And it’s full of silliness, action, and wonderful performances, and will make you want to go to the beach and/or ring your mum,” said Tim Minchin.

Led by Tim Minchin, the brilliant creative team behind Upright also includes Chris Taylor, best known as a member of the satirical comedy group The Chaser and award-winning writer-actors Kate Mulvany (Lambs of God, Fighting Season, Jasper Jones stage play) and Leon Ford (Offspring, No Activity). Director is Matthew Saville (Please Like Me).

Minchin has also written the music for the series, which also features an amazing soundtrack of Australian songs, both new and old, featuring Tame Impala, INXS, Briggs, Paul Kelly, Baker Boy, Missy Higgins, and many more.

Upright is produced by Jason Stephens from Lingo Pictures, Melissa Kelly (Hounds of Love) and Chris Taylor are also producers. Tim Minchin is Executive Producer along with Penny Win, Carly Heaton (Foxtel) and Helen Bowden.

Upright is a Lingo Pictures production for Foxtel and Sky UK, with major production investment from Foxtel and SKY UK and Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation. The series financed with support from Create NSW and Screenwest. Rest of world sales are being handled by eOne.

*Ningali Lawford-Wolf’s family gave permission for the use of her name in this release.

Sunday, December 1 at 8.30pm on FOX Showcase.