TV WEEK
Australia has a rich and complex history – and this time of year offers a chance to pause, reflect and listen more closely to the stories we tell about our country, and whose voices have too often been missing from the national conversation.
From confronting documentaries and incisive current affairs to sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy and gripping drama, these Indigenous-led television series put First Nations voices front and centre – and they’re all well worth your time.
- Always Was Tonight
Where to watch: ABC iView
Logie-winning broadcaster Tony Armstrong fronts this bold new news show – and it’s unlike anything else on Australian television.
Each week, Armstrong unpacks the headlines through a decolonised lens, alongside a rotating cast of brilliant First Nations voices. It’s funny, fearless and refreshingly honest, willing to go places traditional news programs simply don’t. - Total Control
Where to watch: ABC iView
When Alex Irving (Deborah Mailman) shows extraordinary bravery during a crisis, her life is thrust into the national spotlight. Soon after, Prime Minister Rachel Anderson (Rachel Griffiths) comes calling – offering Alex a seat in the Federal Senate.
Once in Canberra, Alex realises her appointment was more political strategy than genuine inclusion.
Created by Rachel Griffiths, Darren Dale and Miranda Dear, and directed by acclaimed Indigenous filmmaker Rachel Perkins, Total Control is a gripping political drama anchored by powerful performances. - The Australian Wars
Where to watch: SBS On Demand
This compelling three-part documentary series, directed and narrated by Rachel Perkins, confronts one of Australia’s most confronting and under-told histories: the Frontier Wars.
Spanning from the arrival of the First Fleet through to the 1920s, the series examines the violent conflict between Indigenous Australians and British settlers, focusing on Aboriginal resistance across Tasmania, Sydney and Queensland.
Blending expert interviews, re-enactments and archaeological research, The Australian Wars also takes a deeply personal turn as Perkins revisits the site of a massacre her grandmother survived on Arrernte Country. - Black Comedy
Where to watch: ABC iView
Fast, fearless and hilariously sharp, Black Comedy proves that no topic is off-limits when humour is wielded with intelligence and heart.
The sketch series, created by First Nations comedians, delivers everything from observational comedy to biting historical satire. Since debuting in 2014, it showcased an incredible line-up of talent including Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Shari Sebbens, Rarriwuy Hick, Nayuka Gorrie and Jon Bell. - Mystery Road
Where to watch: ABC iView
A spin-off from Ivan Sen’s 2013 film, the series follows Detective Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) as he investigates crimes across remote Australian communities. Each case peels back layers of secrecy, trauma and history, revealing the complex realities of life in the outback.
