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Production begins on Mother & Son reboot

Comedy reboot with Matt Okine & Denise Scott begins filming in Sydney.

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Filming has begun in Sydney on the Mother & Son reboot for ABC.

The series starring Matt Okine & Denise Scott is a new take on the classic comedy starring Ruth Cracknell & Garry McDonald, with original creator Geoffrey Atherden having consulted.

ABC Acting Director of Entertainment and Specialist Jennifer Collins previously told TV Tonight, “This is an idea that’s been around for quite some time…. so it’s been a long time in the making. They’ve been talking about this idea, developing this idea quietly on the side. It’s taken this period of time to get the idea right and into shape. So it’s not not something that has just been cooked up. It’s something that’s been given a lot of love and attention, detail and thought. Matt and Denise have genuinely got a great relationship as fellow comedians, and I think that’s going to come out on screen through their characters.”

Matt Okine said, “The idea to re-create Mother and Son first came to me back in 2013 when I was touring Hong Kong alongside Denise. It was a staple of the Okine family TV when I was growing up; a beautiful snapshot of 1980s Australian suburbia, made hilariously unforgettable by its co-stars Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald. Ten years in the making, it feels like a dream come true to have this idea brought back to life. Denise and I have huge shoes to fill but with my hairline going the way it is, I feel like I was born to play a 2023 version of Arthur!”

It will screen on ABC later this year.

Production credit: Mother and Son is a Wooden Horse production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Produced by Jude Troy and Richard Finlayson. Associate Producer Alexandra Cameron. Executive Producer / Creator / Writer Matt Okine. ABC Executive Producers Todd Abbott and Louise Smith. International Sales: ABC Commercial.

Photo: Instagram

10 Responses

  4. Living with a mother with early stage Dementia in the 80s we did watch a few episodes of the original. I found it quite sad to see some people finding humour in the actions of people with Dementia. Too close to home. A hard pass on this one.

    1. I share your aversion. To me, the show represents a manipulative, emotionally abusive mother (hiding behind a veil of dementia), against a gormless son. The writing and performances are first class, but to me it’s more disturbing than funny.

        1. Brilliant!!! Unfortunately the first thing that comes to my mind at any grave side funeral. Thinking of having oranges for every mourner as part of my will.

  6. Mother & Son was funny & a roaring success not because it starred comedians but because it had a great script that was bought to life by a cast of Australia’s finest actors.
    They have big shoes to fill. Ruth Crachnell, Gary McDonald, Henry Szeps & Judy Morris & the supporting cast were all at the top of their game.
    Let’s hope they don’t tarnish the memory.

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