Total Control is an Australian television political drama series first screened on ABC TV in October 2019. Season 2 began airing on 7 November 2021, and the final season premiered on the ABC on 14 January 2024.
Contents
Premise
Alex Irving is a charismatic Indigenous woman who finds herself the centre of media attention following her admirable actions in a high-risk situation. The embattled but cunning Prime Minister of Australia, Rachel Anderson, recruits Alex to become a federal Senator, so as to boost Rachel's popularity and further her own agenda.
There are several storylines and characters, including Alex's son, her mother, an ex-lover and rival clans in Winton, Queensland, her activist brother, various other players in the Canberra political and office sphere, and a young woman who has escaped youth detention with some footage which could severely damage the Anderson government.
The government in Series 1 and 2 appears to depict Liberal-National coalition, with various factions and other parties mimicking contemporary ones in Australia. The government in Series 3 appears to depict Labor.
Cast and characters
Main
Deborah Mailman as Alexandra "Alex" Irving, a Liberal National Party of Queensland Senator for Queensland (Series 1) and then independent MP for the seat of Freeman, Queensland (Series 2 and 3).
Rachel Griffiths as Rachel Anderson, the Liberal Prime Minister of Australia (Series 1) and then independent MP for the seat of North Sydney, New South Wales (Series 2 and 3).
Rob Collins as Charlie Irving, Alex's brother who worked as a university lecturer in Sydney (Series 1), Alex's campaign manager for the seat of Freeman (Series 2), and Prime Minister Murphy’s Director of Policy (Series 3).
Wesley Patten as Eddie Irving, Alex's son.
Steph Tisdell as Joely McKinnon, Alex’s communications specialist (Series 2) turned senior advisor (Series 3).
Wayne Blair as Paul Murphy, a Labor MP from New South Wales who later becomes the first Indigenous Prime Minister of Australia (Series 2 and 3).
Anthony Hayes as Damien Bauer, the Liberal-National Minister for Immigration (Series 1), Prime Minister of Australia (Series 2), and Leader of the Opposition (Series 3).
Huw Higginson as Peter Solomon, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Anderson (Series 1), to Prime Minister Bauer (Series 2), and to independent MP Anderson (Series 3).
Harry Richardson as Jonathan Cosgrove, former staffer in the Prime Minister's Office and chief advisor to Senator Irving (Series 1).
William McInnes as Laurie Martin, Leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition (Series 1 and 2).
Recurring
Trisha Morton-Thomas as Jan Irving, Alex's mother (Series 1 and 3).
Lisa Flanagan as Faye Stanley, Alex’s cousin.
Malaki Williams as Clancy Stanley, Faye’s son (Series 2 and 3).
Daniela Farinacci as Philippa Bailey, an independent MP from Smithvale, South Australia (Series 2) and later Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives (Series 3).
Anita Hegh as Helena Rossi, a Coalition MP (Series 2) turned independent for Lennox (Series 3), New South Wales and daughter of Howard Clyde, a former MP.
Benedict Hardie as Shaun Keogh, Australian Greens MP for Tucker in Melbourne (Series 2 and 3).
Fran Kelly as herself (audio only).
Patricia Karvelas as herself (audio only).
David Roberts as Kevin Cartwright, Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Val Weldon as Marcie Maclean, an inmate at the Macauley Detention Centre who is killed by a guard
Shantae Barnes Cowan as Jess Clarke, an inmate at the Macauley Detention Centre who escapes after her friend is killed
Celia Ireland as Tracey Helliar, Senator Irving’s office manager.
Adele Perovic as Jillian Morell, Senator Irving’s social media strategist.
James Sweeny as Christopher Bingham, Minister Cartwright’s advisor.
Episodes
Production
The working title of the series was Black Bitch, and it was shown at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival with this title; however, it was changed after complaints that the title was a racial slur. The first season was written by Stuart Page, Angela Betzien, Pip Karmel and directed by Rachel Perkins. It was co-produced by Perkins, along with Darren Dale and Miranda Dear of Blackfella Films, who also co-produced the first season Rachel Griffiths, Kelrick Martin and Sally Riley as executive producers. The six-part first season was filmed in Canberra, Sydney, and Winton in Central West Queensland. New music was written and recorded by Missy Higgins and featured in the series.
Season 2 was directed by cast member Wayne Blair, while writing credits include Stuart Page, Larissa Behrendt, Angela Betzien, Pip Karmel, and Nakkiah Lui. Some scenes were filmed on location in Parliament House, Canberra as well as Sydney and Broken Hill. Darren Dale produced the second and third series.
Production for the third and final series was announced on 31 May 2023. Wayne Blair co-directed with Jub Clerc.
Release
In advance of the broadcast premiere of Season 1 on ABC TV in October 2019, several episodes of the series received a preview screening in the Primetime program of the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.
Season 2 aired from 7 November 2021.
The final season premiered on the ABC on 14 January 2024. The final episode aired on the ABC on 18 February 2024.
Critical reception
The first season received mixed to positive reviews from critics. The dialogue, writing, relationships between the characters, and Alex's characterisation were widely praised, but recurring criticisms were that the series lacked action and the storytelling was too meek and subdued despite its intense subject matter. However, the cast's performances received critical acclaim, especially Deborah Mailman's.
The series has an approval rating of 100% percent for its first season on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes indicating critical acclaim.
Craig Mathieson of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote "It's hard to remember the last time an Australian drama had dialogue as biting, juicy, and telling as the lines that ricochet back and forth – simultaneously revealing power and defining personalities" and that Mailman gives a "full-tilt and full-bodied performance". Luke Buckmaster of The Guardian said "There are times when it feels like we may be in store for a Bulworth-style spectacle, revolving around a shoot-from-the-hips political newbie with nothing to lose. However, the drama in Total Control is meeker than that, and the stakes feel surprisingly low, given several hot-button issues explored". Buckmaster praised the performances of both Mailman and Trisha Morton-Thomas. He declared Mailman's performance to be "superb" and said that she was the series' "one unquestionably outstanding element".
Chris Boyd from Screenhub wrote: "As an action drama, Total Control is unconvincing and poorly executed. As a political thriller, it's sketchy and forced. The Canberra intrigue is shallow to the point of parody." However he praised the performances of both Mailman and Rob Collins. When it comes to Mailman's performance he said "Increasingly blunt, and foul-mouthed, Mailman is electrifying. Tectonic. Unforgettable." Laura Brodnik from Mamamia gave the series a positive review saying "with a cutting and topical script, this is a series that secures a spot as one of the best Australian offerings of the year". Brodnik praised most of the cast but singled out Mailman and Shantae Barnes Cowan for the most praise. She called Mailman's performance a "stand out". And said Barnes Cowan "delivers some of the shows most emotional moments in scenes that are light on dialogue, so it's left up to her facial expressions to convey the gravity of what is really going on".