Upright to film in Queensland

Foxtel, Screen Australia and Lingo Pictures have now formally confirmed a second season of Upright -this time to film in Queensland.

Tim Minchin (The Secret River) and Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) will return for the eight-part series produced by Lingo Pictures for Foxtel and Sky UK.

The second season will see misfit duo Lucky and Meg trade the desert for the steamy tropics of Far North Queensland as they hit the road – and the river – on a mission. The series will be made in association with Screen Queensland, with support from Screen NSW and Cutting Edge.

Tim Minchin said, “The experience of making Upright was such a joy, and audience reactions from all over the world were so incredibly positive and moving, we knew we had to send Meg and Lucky on another adventure. There’s a lot of story still to tell, and such a fantastic team of people lined up to tell it.”

Jason Stephens (Lambs of God) returns as producer. Meg O’Connell (Robbie Hood) will also produce, with Lingo Pictures’ Helen Bowden (The Secrets She Keeps) as executive producer. Writers include Niki Aken (The Hunting), Ian Meadows (Seachange, RFDS) and Natesha Somasundaram (The Unlisted), with Tim Minchin also writing and executive producing the series. Executive Producers for Foxtel are Brian Walsh and Lana Greenhalgh.

Foxtel Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh said, “Tim Minchin’s Upright was a smash hit for Foxtel and a subsequent breakout success when it was brought to Binge audiences last summer. The series is uniquely Australian, brash and bold, full of fun and great heart. The story of Lucky and Meg, and their unexpected journey across the Nullarbor, won fans of all ages – and we’re set to take off once again on a memorable road trip with unexpected consequences. Foxtel is delighted to partner with the brilliant Tim Minchin and the team at Lingo Pictures for this much anticipated second season.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Content Sally Caplan said, “We are thrilled to be supporting Lingo Pictures to bring Upright back for a second season. Viewers around the world fell in love with season one and with a standout creative team on season two, including writers Tim Minchin, Niki Aken, Ian Meadows and Natesha Somasundaram, we hope audiences are ready to hit the road once again with Lucky and Meg when it releases on Foxtel!”

Screen Queensland Chief Creative Officer Jo Dillon said “Upright is quirky, clever Australian comedy at its best, with a Queensland producer Meg O’Connell alongside Lingo Pictures’ Jason Stephens and featuring Tim Minchin, who is one of the country’s most celebrated, multi-talented artists both on and off-screen.”

Jason Stephens of Lingo Pictures said, “It’s so exciting to be producing Upright once more. Already the season two scripts have been generating a huge buzz so we can’t wait to get started. For those who loved the first season, I promise you will not be disappointed.”

The second season of Upright is currently in development, with filming to commence in Queensland in 2022. International sales will be managed by Entertainment One (eOne).