Fisk (ABC Australia, 2021) is streaming on Netflix
After bingeing seasons two to four of Utopia on Netflix during the lockdown (we’d already been given season one on DVD as a wedding present) it’s fair to say there was an ongoing Utopia-sized hole in our entertainment options so we were delighted when Netflix suggested the recent ABC TV comedy Fisk to us – it’s not often we thank the algorithm but there’s a first time for everything.
Popular Australian comedian Kitty Flanagan has created the show (and co-writes and co-directs) and stars as former high-powered Sydney lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk, who relocates to Melbourne after a marriage breakup and general life meltdown.
Ill-at-ease with most human interaction, Helen takes a job at a small law firm specialising in wills and probate, presuming that most of the work will be with dead people. This misapprehension is quickly corrected as she now has to get along with co-workers – much humour is poked at the foibles of office life in small businesses – and clients, many of whom are unhappy at the state of their inheritances.
The show is fast paced, witty and – it being Australian – pretty grown-up in subject matter and language. In fact, the style very much resembles Utopia which is why we fell upon it so eagerly.
Fisk isn’t as good as Utopia – not much is – but it will do for now.
It’s nice to see Kiwi acting legend George Henare in a regular supporting role, too.
There are six episodes in season one of Fisk on Netflix. Season two screened on ABC in Australia last year but hasn’t dropped on Netflix yet.
If you are unfamiliar with Utopia (from Working Dog, creators of The Castle, The Dish and Frontline) my lockdown review of it for RNZ At the Movies is here.
If you are familiar with Utopia, you will be delighted to know that season five was screening in Australia when we were there in June so can’t be very far away.
