Love Me is an Australian drama series and the first original production of streaming service Binge.[1] Set in Melbourne, Victoria, Love Me is a story about love, loss and relationship complexity for the father, daughter and son of a contemporary, middle-class Australian family. Triggered by the death of the disabled mother, cared for by the father at home for some years, the three stumble in their lives, eventually finding themselves and each other.
| Love Me | |
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| Genre | Drama |
| Written by |
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| Directed by | |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language |
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| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Running time | 45 Minutes |
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| Original release | |
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| Release | 26 December 2021 – present |
The season one, six-part series is directed by Emma Freeman with lead writer Alison Bell, and writers Leon Ford, Adele Vuko and Blake Ayshford.[2] Season two was announced in June 2022 and premiered on 6 April 2023.[3][4]
The ensemble cast includes Hugo Weaving,[5] Bojana Novakovic, William Lodder and Sarah Peirse along with Bob Morley, Heather Mitchell, Celia Pacquola, Mitzi Ruhlmann and Shalom Brune-Franklin.
Love Me is produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford of Aquarius Films and Executive Produced by Michael Brooks and Hamish Lewis (Warner Bros.). Executive Producers for the FOXTEL Group are Brian Walsh, Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh.
It is based on the acclaimed Swedish series, Älska mig, created by Josephine Bornebusch.[6]
Cast
editMain / regular
edit- Bojana Novakovic as Clara Mathieson
- Hugo Weaving as Glen Mathieson
- William Lodder as Aaron Mathieson
- Bob Morley as Peter K
- Heather Mitchell as Anita
- Sarah Peirse as Christine Mathieson
- Mitzi Ruhlmann as Jesse
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as Ella
- Celia Pacquola as Sacha
- John Augustine Sharp as Max
Guests
edit- Georgina Naidu as Sonia (2 episodes)
- Kym Gyngell as Richard (4 episodes)
- Louise Siversen as Judith (2 episodes)
Episodes
editSeries overview
editSeason 1 (2021)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" | Emma Freeman | Alison Bell | December 26, 2021 | |
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Three members of the one family have confronting, joyous and heart-warming experiences of love as they deal with the complexity of their personal relationships. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" | Emma Freeman | Leon Ford | December 26, 2021 | |
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It's Christine's funeral. Glen, Clara and Aaron have very different emotional responses to their grief which propels them each on a new path. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" | Emma Freeman | Blake Ayshford | December 26, 2021 | |
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Glen's holiday is turning in to something unexpectedly enjoyable, Clara goes on a date with Peter and Aaron can't believe everyone is moving on from his mother's death so soon. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" | Emma Freeman | Adele Vuko | December 26, 2021 | |
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As life and love starts to flourish for Glen, Clara and Aaron, they're each momentarily jolted back a step to reconsider their choices. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Episode 5" | Emma Freeman | Alison Bell | December 26, 2021 | |
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After scattering the ashes of their Mum, Clara and Aaron meet their Dad's new love and their own relationships take yet another turn. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Episode 6" | Emma Freeman | Leon Ford | December 26, 2021 | |
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Glen and Anita prepare for the wedding, while Aaron receives some news that threatens his new relationship with Jesse and Clara tries to work things out with Peter. | ||||||
Season 2 (2023)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "Episode 1" | Bonnie Moir | Leon Ford | April 6, 2023 | |
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Aaron is about to become a father while Glen is enjoying life with his new wife Anita. Inspired by this, Clara and Peter decide to embark on their own journey to becoming parents. | ||||||
| 8 | 2 | "Episode 2" | Bonnie Moir | Tamara Asmar | April 6, 2023 | |
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Anita's mysterious phone calls cause Greg's suspicions. In the meantime, Peter and Clara invite Peter's ex for dinner which causes a heated confrontation after which Peter demands a paternity test. | ||||||
| 9 | 3 | "Episode 3" | Bonnie Moir | Celia Pacquola | April 6, 2023 | |
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Glen is faced with a mysterious man in Anita's life. In the meantime, Peter and Anita face challenges having to navigate and the pressure of making a baby. | ||||||
| 10 | 4 | "Episode 4" | Bonnie Moir | Adele Vuko | April 6, 2023 | |
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Under enormous pressure Glen's, Clara's, and Aaron's relationships collapse, and they each feel isolated and alone. | ||||||
| 11 | 5 | "Episode 5" | Bonnie Moir | Leon Ford | April 6, 2023 | |
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Clara's and Peter's relationship is strained after a turbulent experience, but a rescue mission in Sorrento get Glen and Peter together and makes them reflect on their actions and their relationships. | ||||||
| 12 | 6 | "Episode 6" | Bonnie Moir | Tamara Asmar | April 6, 2023 | |
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While the Mathieson family is preparing to sell off the family home, positive changes are happening in each of their relationships. | ||||||
Production
editLove Me is a Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia production in association with Aquarius Films for the FOXTEL Group. Major production investment from Screen Australia and financed with support from Film Victoria through production investment and the Regional Location Assistance Fund. The series will be produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford (Aquarius Films) and Executive Produced by Michael Brooks and Hamish Lewis (Warner Bros.) Brian Walsh, Alison Hurbert-Burns and Lana Greenhalgh (FOXTEL Group).[7]
On the eve of the Australian TV Week 2022 Logie Awards, where Love Me received seven nominations, Binge announced a second season.[3]
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Casting Guild of Australia Awards | Best Casting in a TV Miniseries or Telemovie | Nathan Lloyd | Nominated | [8] |
| AACTA Awards | Best Drama Series | Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford; Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia / Binge, Foxtel | Nominated | [9] | |
| Best Casting | Nathan Lloyd | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction in Drama or Comedy | Emma Freeman | Nominated | |||
| Best Screenplay in Television | Adele Vuko | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Design in Television | Josephine Ford | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design in Television | Cappi Ireland | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography in Television | Earle Dresner | Nominated | |||
| Best Lead Actor in a Drama | Hugo Weaving | Nominated | |||
| Best Lead Actress in a Drama | Bojana Novakovic | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Drama | Heather Mitchell | Nominated | |||
| Logie Awards | Most Popular Drama | Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia / Binge, Foxtel | Nominated | [10][11] | |
| TV Week Silver Logie - Most Outstanding Drama Series | Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia / Binge, Foxtel | Nominated | |||
| Most Popular Actor | Hugo Weaving | Nominated | |||
| Most Popular Actress | Bojana Novakovic | Nominated | |||
| TV Week Silver Logie - Most Outstanding Actor | Hugo Weaving | Nominated | |||
| TV Week Silver Logie - Most Outstanding Supporting Actress | Heather Mitchell | Won | |||
| Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent | William Lodder | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | AACTA Awards | Best Drama Series | Nicole O'Donohue, Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks; Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia / Binge | Nominated | [12] |
| Best Lead Actor in a Drama | Hugo Weaving | Won | |||
| Best Lead Actress in a Drama | Bojana Novakovic | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Drama | Heather Mitchell | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Drama | Bob Morley | Nominated | |||
| Logie Awards | Best Drama Program | Binge | Nominated | [13] | |
| TV Week Silver Logie – Best Lead Actor in a Drama | Hugo Weaving | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Jackie, Keast (16 August 2021). "Hugo Weaving fronts Binge drama 'Love Me'". If.com.au. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "Binge original Australian series Love Me to premiere December 26th". Mediaweek. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ a b Lilly, Alex (17 June 2022). "The Mathiesons are back! Hit Aussie series LOVE ME has officially been renewed for a second season". TV Week. p. 1. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ news.com.au (5 March 2023). "Love Me reveals season two premiere date and first look photos". news.com.au. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ Patrick, Frater (14 August 2021). "Hugo Weaving Stars in 'Love Me' Warner Television-Aquarius Series Shooting in Australia (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ Mark, Layton. "Foxtel orders remake of Swedish drama 'Älska Mig' for Oz streamer Binge". Television Business International. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "PRODUCTION BEGINS ON NEW AUSTRALIAN DRAMA LOVE ME". Screen Australia. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "Casting Guild of Australia - Awards". Casting Guild of Australia. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "2022 AACTA Awards - Winners & Nominees". Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Mazzoni, Alana (14 May 2022). "The full list of nominees for the 2022 TV WEEK Logie Awards". Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Challenor, Jake (20 June 2022). "2022 Logie Awards Winners: Hamish Blake Wins Gold". Variety Australia. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "AACTA Awards - Winners & Nominees". Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Knox, David (23 June 2024). "Logie Awards 2024: nominations". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.