Pick of the 2025 Upfronts

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware
that this post may contain name and images of deceased persons.

Late last year ABC, Seven, Nine, 10, SBS and the Foxtel Group held their 2025 Upfronts, revealing a range of new titles to appeal to audiences and advertisers.

With just weeks until survey resumes, here are some of the brand new local titles which should be worth checking out in Drama, Entertainment, Factual and Kid’s TV.

ABC:

The Family Next Door
It’s a scorching summer at the height of the school holidays when Isabelle Heatherington rents a house in Pleasant Court, a quiet cul-de-sac in the popular beachside town of Osprey Point. When sharp-eyed realtor Ange intuits that her tenant has a hidden agenda, the local rumour mill goes into overdrive. Who is this mysterious woman, what does she want, and what’s the connection with their community? It soon becomes apparent Isabelle has come to Pleasant Court in search of someone. Isabelle’s relentless pursuit of clues and Ange’s increasing suspicion impact the lives of four young families within the tight Pleasant Court community. Each episode delves deeper into the lives of the key female characters, providing an insightful lens on contemporary female relationships. Each woman becomes a suspect in Isabelle’s investigation because they all have something to hide. As a heatwave hits Osprey Point, tension rises with the mercury and deeply held secrets begin to unravel. Isabelle’s obsessive quest to reunite one family will have consequences for them all. Based on Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same name and created for television by Sarah Scheller.

The Piano
The Piano is a new and uplifting six-part series unearthing everyday pianists from all over Australia through the celebration of the street piano. The series gives regular Australians the opportunity of a lifetime when they are invited to play at busy locations around the country. What the pianists don’t know is that they are being observed by two renowned expert musicians, multi-award winning and musical powerhouse Harry Connick Jr, and one of Australia’s greatest classical concert pianists, Andrea Lam. The pair are hidden away watching every note played and together they will choose a pianist from each location to mentor and play at a special end-of-series concert on one of Australia’s most revered stages, Sydney’s City Recital Hall.  Hosted by Amanda Keller, The Piano’s secret mission is to find and meet incredible community pianists who don’t aspire to stardom but simply have a passion for playing piano. Some of the most amazing performances have been filmed and gone viral, watched by millions online. But who are these people playing the world’s favourite instrument?  One instrument. A universal language and the power of music to connect us all. This Arts series uses the piano as a unique device to tell the stories of ordinary Australians, with an extraordinary musical gift.

The Kimberley
In the North-Western corner of Australia lies a landscape that defies time. “The Kimberley” stretches over 400,000 square kilometres and contains within its borders sprawling savannas, towering gorges, rivers, tropical coastlines and desert. The rugged geology of the region has provided a last refuge for countless mammals, reptiles and birds: from the world’s smallest marsupial to the world’s largest (and fiercest) reptile. Narrated by and featuring Mark Coles Smith, this landmark natural history series captures never-beforeseen animal sequences as we explore a year in the lives of the unique wildlife that call The Kimberley home, and follow the missions of the Aboriginal custodians and passionate experts working to save the incredible biodiversity of the region.

Do Not Watch This Show.
Created by Andy Lee, Do Not Watch This Show brings to life the best-selling book series Do Not Open This Book, illustrated by Heath McKenzie. Tapping into the same fun enjoyed by millions of kids worldwide, the series stars Wizz, the blue monster who is desperate for everyone to stop watching the show. He uses silly f ibs, schemes and shenanigans to try and trick the kids into switching off!

Seven

Once In A Lifetime
Beloved vet Dr Chris Brown, embarks on global wildlife journeys, joined by entertaining Australian personalities (including Mick Molloy, Amanda Keller, Kate Ritchie and Matt Preston) as his untrained and unqualified veterinary assistants. Together, they help iconic animals while navigating unpredictable and often humorous situations. From saving endangered species to facing wild dangers, these duos experience the raw beauty of nature.

Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story
A hilarious and moving documentary about one of Australia’s most-loved bands that travels from the sticky carpets of Sydney pubs to the shiny stage of Top of the Pops.

Nine

The Floor
Step onto The Floor, the biggest, most exciting new format in the world right now. It’s the ultimate trivia showdown, hosted by Rodger Corser (Doctor Doctor, Underbelly). In this spectacular battle of brains, 81 Aussies will face off on a colossal, futuristic floor, all competing for a life-changing grand prize of $200,000. Combining intense strategy, high-stakes trivia, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, The Floor promises a gripping game of wits and endurance that every member of the family can play along with at home! The game is simple: each player begins with one tile on the floor, representing their subject of expertise. Their aim is to challenge and win their neighbours’ tiles and steal their area of The Floor. Whoever wins the entire floor will rule all and claim the grand prize. The Floor is like no other show you’ve seen before. Already a smash hit in multiple countries, The Floor is now ready to light up Australia. Who will rise above the rest and claim victory? Find out when The Floor debuts in 2025 on the 9Network! The Floor is produced by Eureka Productions and Talpa Studios for the 9Network.

10

Untitled Sam Pang Project
Daniel Monaghan said: “Sam Pang has been part of the 10 family for over a decade and we’re delighted to have commissioned his brand-new show for 2025. Sam’s quick wit has kept Aussies laughing for years, and we know his fresh new program will give audiences exactly what they want. We are currently in the final stages of development, and we can’t wait to share it with viewers in the new year.”

Staycation
A feature-length, live action Christmas movie from Ludo, the producers of the smash hit series, Bluey. This madcap comedy sees a dysfunctional middleclass family attempt to survive their Christmas break at home, only to find themselves accidentally mixed up with some very dangerous characters indeed. With more than a nod to the uproarious National Lampoon film franchise, this Aussie comedy will be ready to unwrap Christmas on 10 and Paramount+.

SBS

2.6 Seconds
A teenager is killed by a young policeman. Three shots. Less than three seconds apart. 2.6 Seconds is a true crime documentary series, a truth-telling of a fatal meeting between two young men in an isolated community in Australia’s central desert. One black, the other white. The tearing apart of their lives and that of their families, and the clash of two notions of justice. 2.6 Seconds is a co-commission between SBS and NITV with the production of Blackfella Films. Major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with SBS. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Produced in association with ALL 3 Media International.

Robodebt (Working Title)*
The Robodebt scandal ranks as one of the darkest chapters in Australian history. In a highly politicised campaign to claw back money from social welfare recipients allegedly ‘rorting’ the system, $1.8 billion was extracted from over half-a-million people between 2015 – 2019, leading to thousands of Australians struggling to survive and multiple suicides. Robodebt is an ambitious hybrid series combining powerful factual storytelling with high-end drama to tell the story of this notorious scandal that struck at the heart of inequality and social cohesion in Australia. The series will gain access to the victims, the journalists, whistleblowers and those on the inside, testifying to give us the full emotional and dramatic picture of the story as it unfolded, for the very first time. 

Journey Home – David Gulpilil
David Gulpilil, a Yolŋu man, was one of Australia’s most outstanding Indigenous actors. Since his 1971 debut in Nicholas Roeg’s film ‘Walkabout’ he mesmerised audiences, appearing in over eighteen films. With a career spanning over 50 years, Gulpilil’s contribution to the Australian film industry is part of the history of both the Australian cinema and its representation of Indigenous Australians. This is the story of David Gulpilil’s journey home after his passing in 2021, back to his birthplace in Eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. This is a rare insight into a powerful ceremony of renewal and regeneration – told from the Yolŋu perspective and the perspective of his family. This remarkable event draws a direct line between the contemporary world of international fame and 60,000 years of Indigenous culture. Journey Home is a Savage Films, Brindle Films and Savage Films NT production for NITV. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen Territory and VicScreen. Local distribution by Madman Entertainment. Developed with assistance of NITV, Screen Australia, VicScreen and Screen Territory. Journey Home is written and directed by Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas, produced by Trisha Morton- Thomas, Rachel Clements, Jida Gulpilil and Maggie Miles. Executive Producer is Witiyana Marika and Associate Producer is Cathy Gallagher.

Foxtel / Binge

The Last Anniversary.
Based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel, The Last Anniversary is a wickedly funny, heartfelt dramedy wrapped in a gripping mystery about family, motherhood and the women who define the generations that come after them. Samantha Strauss serves as head writer, with John Polson directing all six episodes. The Last Anniversary is set on Scribbly Gum Island, a place of many secrets. The one that made it famous – the disappearance of a young couple decades ago – might have made the island a destination for true crime tourists but when it comes to secrets, the three generations of women that call Scribbly Gum home hold far more. When Sophie Honeywell (Palmer) inherits a house on the island, left only to her by her ex-boyfriend’s great-aunt Connie, it’s the fresh start she’s craving, despite the unwelcome reception she receives on arrival. Single and approaching 40, Sophie is intrigued by something else Connie left her – a promise that she might finally find the man of her dreams on Scribbly Gum Island. But perhaps what Sophie needs is an island full of women instead?