''House Husbands'' is an Australian television comedy drama. The show debuted on the

Nine Network The Nine Network (stylised 9Network, commonly known as Channel Nine or simply Nine) is an Australian commercial free-to-air television network. It is owned by parent company Nine Entertainment and is one of five main free-to-air television netw ...

on 2 September 2012. Set in Melbourne, ''House Husbands'' stars

Firass Dirani Firass Dirani (born 1984) is an Australian film and television actor. Early life Dirani was born in Sydney in 1984, and is of Lebanese descent. Career Dirani pursued his acting career in Hollywood before receiving a call to play the role o ...

Gyton Grantley Gyton Stephen Grantley (born 17 July 1980) is an Australian actor and comedian, best known for his portrayal of convicted murderer and drug trafficker Carl Williams in the hit Australian television show '' Underbelly'', for which he was nomin ...

Rhys Muldoon Rhys Muldoon (born 17 October 1965) is an Australian actor, writer and director who has worked extensively in film, television, music, theatre and radio. Since 2012 he has starred as Mark Oliver in ''House Husbands''. Career Television Muldoon ...

and

Gary Sweet Gary Sweet (born 22 May 1957) is an Australian film and television actor known for his roles in '' Alexandra's Project'' (as Steve), ''Police Rescue'' (as Sergeant "Mickey" McClintock), ''Cody'' (as Cody), '' Big Sky'' (as Chris Manning), ''Bod ...

as four fathers who stay at home to raise their children. The program also focuses on their interconnected families and friends. In 2013, ''House Husbands'' won Most Popular Drama Series at the 2013 Logie Awards. In February 2018, Nine confirmed the series would not be returning for a sixth season and was officially cancelled.

Production

Conception

On 6 May 2012, the

announced it had commissioned ''House Husbands'', a ten-part comedy-drama about the issues of changing gender roles. The series focuses on four modern families where the men are in charge of raising the children. Nine's director of television, Michael Healy, stated "''House Husbands'' is a fresh and dynamic look at Australian family life, with a very modern twist. Audiences will fall in love with our characters as they deal with the challenges of raising families in today's hectic world." ''House Husbands'' was conceived by Ellie Beaumont and Drew Proffitt. It was directed by Geoff Bennett and Shirley Barrett with Jo Rooney, Andy Ryan and Playmaker Media's David Maher and David Taylor serving as executive producers. ''House Husbands'' received funding from

Screen Australia Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government's key funding body for the Australian screen production industry, created under the ''Screen Australia Act 2008''. From 1 July 2008 Screen Australia took over the functions of its predecess ...

and filming on the series commenced at the end of May. On 23 September 2012, Michael Idato from ''

The Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper ...

'' reported Nine had renewed ''House Husbands'' for a second series. The network's director of television, Michael Healy, stated "I couldn't be happier that Australian audiences have taken ''House Husbands'' to their hearts and made it the number one drama in the country. I am thrilled to confirm a second series of ''House Husbands'' will go into production with the same acclaimed cast and crew." Filming for the second series took place from 4 February to 6 June 2013. Series two began airing from 8 April 2013. In June 2013, ''House Husbands'' was picked up for a third season, which began airing in 2014. The Nine Network and Playmaker Media confirmed that all of the cast members would return. In July 2014, the Nine Network renewed ''House Husbands'' for a fourth season to air in 2015. The four male leads, as well as Morris and Saleeba, returned. On 23 May 2016,

TV Tonight TV Tonight is an Australian-based website which features reviews, news and programming information related to television in Australia as well as OzTAM ratings information. The site was started by television critic David Knox in 2007 after list ...

reported that filming would begin in the last days of May, with all the main cast returning except for Gyton Grantley. On 28 October 2015, the Nine Network announced via Facebook that ''House Husbands'' had been renewed for a fifth season. The fifth season was set to air in 2016 but that August, Nine delayed the season to air on 6 February 2017. On 4 February 2018, it was confirmed that Nine had officially cancelled the show after five seasons. The network also decided not to go ahead with a potential spin-off centred around Lewis Crabb (Sweet).

Casting

Casting of the series was announced on 18 May 2012 with

and

cast as the house husbands. Sweet stars as Lewis, a successful builder who has become a stay-at-home dad to Matilda, while his partner, Gemma, is a senior nurse at the local hospital. Sweet commented "When I first got the ''House Husbands'' scripts I just felt like this was something that had legs."

Julia Morris Julia Carolyn Margaret Morris (born 20 April 1968) is an Australian comedian, television presenter and actress who has worked extensively in Australian television and radio, touring the country with her solo comedy shows. She relocated to the Un ...

and

Anna McGahan Anna McGahan (born 2 May 1988) is an Australian actress and playwright, who has appeared in Australian television, film and theatre. She is best known for playing the roles of Nellie Cameron in the Australian television series, '' Underbelly: ...

were cast as Lewis's partner Gemma and daughter Lucy. Muldoon plays Mark and

Natalie Saleeba Natalie Saleeba (born 27 June 1978, in Perth) is an Australian actress of a Lebanese descent. Television Saleeba is best known for her roles as Jessica Singleton in the medical drama series '' All Saints'', Rosetta Cammeniti on '' Neighbours ...

plays his wife Abi. Grantley plays Abi's brother Kane, who is in a relationship with Tom ( Tim Campbell) and helping to raise his niece, Stella (Edwina Royce). Kane and Tom mark the first time that an Australian drama has featured a gay couple raising a child. Proffitt commented that Grantley was cast because of his comic timing and Campbell was cast because of his chemistry with the actor. Dirani plays Justin a disgraced former footballer who has broken up with the mother of his three children, Nicola (Leah de Niese). Nicholas Coghlan was cast as Rodney, Nicola's new partner. The main cast members from season one all returned for the second series. Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan, the heads of drama at the Nine Network commented "We are thrilled to have ''House Husbands'' returning for a second season. With such a strong cast and some great names joining the series, we're excited to be providing more fantastic local drama for our viewers." Series two saw Geraldine Turner and

Madeleine West Melanie Ann Weston (born 26 July 1980), known professionally as Madeleine West, is an Australian actress. She is known for her television roles, having played Dee Bliss and Andrea Somers on the soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 2000 to 2003 and on- ...

join the cast as Wendy Horne and Dimity respectively.

Craig McLachlan Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. He has been involved in film, television, the music industry and music theatre for over 30 years. He is best known for appearing in the soap ...

began appearing as Damo from episode three.

Rick Donald Rick Donald is an Australian actor, writer and director. He attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and made his first television appearance in ''Sea Patrol''. This was followed by recurring or guest roles in '' Paper Giants: The B ...

stars as new school teacher, Mr. Tuck, while Kane and Tom welcomed a foster child called Finn, played by Ben Crundwell, into their family. On 14 December 2013, it was announced that Campbell's character had been written out of the show and that he would not be returning for the third season. Campbell was surprised and disappointed with the decision, which came at the last minute. He commented "as a fan of the show I'm disappointed that a unique TV family is no more and Tom would leave his partner and children suddenly off screen. Don't blame me, I'm just the actor." A spokeswoman for Nine added that there would be other casting changes ahead of filming for the third season. The following month, it was announced that

Lincoln Lewis Lincoln Clay Lewis (born 24 October 1987) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his roles in the movie ''Tomorrow, When the War Began'' and in the television series ''Home and Away'' and ''Slide''. Early life Lewis was born in Brisbane, Qu ...

had joined the cast as a "mysterious character that ignites tension" among the families. Actress

Rachel Griffiths Rachel Anne Griffiths (born in 1968) is an Australian actress. Raised primarily in Melbourne, she began her acting career appearing on the Australian series ''Secrets'' before being cast in a supporting role in the comedy ''Muriel's Wedding'' ...

also joined the cast as Belle, a character "who brings friction to the series."

Darren McMullen Darren McMullen (born 10 February 1982) is a Scottish-Australian television and radio presenter and personality, music journalist and music critic. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Australia at the age of 12. H ...

was cast "a love interest who ruffles feathers". On 26 March 2015, it was announced

Justine Clarke Justine Clarke (born 16 November 1971) is an Australian actress, singer, musician, author and television host. She has been acting since the age of seven and has appeared in some of Australia's best-known TV shows. She is best known as a presen ...

had joined the cast for the fourth season. She plays Eve, a rival for Kane. Actors

Indiana Evans Indiana Rose Evans (born 27 July 1990) is an Australian actress. She is known for her roles in ''Home and Away'' as Matilda Hunter, '' H2O: Just Add Water'' as Bella Hartley, and '' Blue Lagoon: The Awakening'' as Emmaline Robinson. Early lif ...

, Akos Armont and

Jane Kennedy Jane Kennedy may refer to: *Jane Kennedy (courtier) (died 1589), Scottish courtier *Jane Kennedy (actress) (born 1964), Australian actress and comedian *Jane Kennedy (politician) (born 1958), British Labour Party Member of Parliament See also *Jay ...

also join the cast as single mother Tash, the "ambitious" Dr Saxon and Belinda, the Director of Medical Services, respectively. Coghlan (Rodney) and

Jane Allsop Jane Claire Allsop is an Australian actress, best known for her role as Jo Parrish on ''Blue Heelers''. Personal life Allsop was born in the United Kingdom, and only a few months after her birth moved to the United States with her father, Joh ...

who previously appeared in the first series returned, alongside

Danielle Horvat ''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera that was first broadcast on 18 March 1985. The following is a list of characters that first appeared on the show in 2007, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by the sh ...

as Frankie from series three. Actor

Hugh Sheridan Hugh Sheridan (born 30 June 1985) is an Australian actor, singer, television presenter who is known for their role as Ben Rafter in the television series ''Packed to the Rafters''. Sheridan is a four-time Logie Award winner, in the Logie Award ...

and singer

Delta Goodrem Delta Lea Goodrem AM (born November 9, 1984) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. Goodrem signed to Sony Music at the age of 15. Her debut album, '' Innocent Eyes'' (2003), topped the ARIA Albums Chart for 29 non-consecutive week ...

joined the cast for the fifth season. Sheridan is Nick Gazecki, a new music teacher who makes an enemy of Lewis. While Goodrem plays Izzy Dreyfus, a reading recovery teacher at the Nepean South Primary School. Her character was billed as "both beautiful and slightly tomboyish. She excites and frightens everyone in the ''House Husbands'' world."

Nancye Hayes Nancye Lee Bertles AM ( Hayes; born January 1943), billed under her maiden name as Nancye Hayes, is an Australian actress, dancer, singer and choreographer/director and narrator. She has been a leading figure in Australian musical theatre sin ...

and

Roy Billing Roy Harwood Billing (born 1947) is a New Zealand television actor, now based on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. He was brought up in Ruawai, Northland, New Zealand. Billing spent almost three decades living and working in Australia. He became wid ...

were cast as Mark's parents Liz and Bernie, and Rahart Adams joined as Justin's brother Rafiq.

Cast and characters

Main

as Justin Baynie *

as Mark Oliver *

as Lewis Crabb *

as Gemma Horne Crabb *

as Abigail "Abi" Albert *

as Kane Albert *

as Rachel Hilton (season 1, 4–5) *

as Nick Gazecki (season 5) *

as Izzy Dreyfus (season 5) *

as Lucy Crabb (seasons 1–3) *

Georgia Flood Georgia Flood (born 29 November 1992) is an Australian film, television and theatre actress. After studying at the L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris and the 16th Street Actors Studio in Melbourne, Flood made her stage ...

as Phoebe Crabb (seasons 1–3) * Tim Campbell as Tom Parker (seasons 1–2) * Leah de Niese as Nicola Panas Baynie (seasons 1–2) *

as Ned (season 3) *

as Belle Crabb (season 3) *

as Alex Larden (season 3–4) *

as Eve (season 4)

Supporting

Louise Siversen Louise Siversen is an Australian actress. She is known for her television roles, including Lou Kelly in ''Prisoner'' (1984–1986), Debbie in ''The Flying Doctors'' (1986–1990), and 2012-2017 Heather Looby in '' House Husbands''. She has al ...

as Heather Looby * Lily Jones as Poppy Oliver * Madison Torres-Davy as Tilda Crabb * Allegra Volange as Angie Baynie * Fletcher Grant as Jacob Baynie * Riley Webb as Zac Baynie * Danielle Horvat as Frankie (season 3–4) * Ava and Audrey Bellert as Sophie Oliver (season 3–5) * Edwina Royce (season 1–3) and Jade Knight (season 4) as Stella Parker * Nicholas Coghlan as Rodney (season 1, 4) *

Kate Jenkinson Kate Jenkinson is an Australian actress, known for her various roles on '' The Wedge'', as well as her role of Kendall Quinn on ''Super Fun Night''. She is known for her role as Allie Novak in the Australian TV series ''Wentworth''. Education ...

as Miss Nadir (season 1) *

as Dimity (season 2) *

as Mr. Harry Tuck (season 2) *

Les Hill Les Hill (born 1 August 1973) is an Australian actor who has appeared in many Australian television productions including '' Rescue: Special Ops,'' ''Home and Away'' and ''Underbelly.'' Early life Hill was born in the Royal Hospital for Women ...

as Simon Lawson-West (season 2) * Terence Donovan as Doug (season 2) * Ryan Johnson as Will (season 3) * Ben Crundwell as Finn (seasons 2–4) *

Ben Schumann Ben Schumann is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Ed Newman in the Fox8 teen drama series, ''SLiDE Slide or Slides may refer to: Places * Slide, California, former name of Fortuna, California Arts, entertainment, and media M ...

as Ryan (seasons 2–3) *

Helen Dallimore Helen Dallimore (born 31 October 1971) is an Australian actress, known for originating the role of Glinda the Good Witch, Glinda in the West End Theatre, West End production of ''Wicked (musical), Wicked''. Early life Dallimore grew up in Oxfor ...

as Gaby (season 2-3) *

as Damo (season 2–3) *

Geraldine Turner Geraldine Gail Turner (born 23 June 1950 in Brisbane, Australia) is an Australian actress and singer. She has been a leading performer in Australian musical theatre since the 1970s, and has also been active in plays, recordings, film and tele ...

as Wendy Horne (season 2–3) *

Denise Scott Denise Margaret Scott (born 24 April 1955) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, television and radio presenter. Career Scott has appeared frequently on Australian television since her regular slot on ABC TV's ''The Big Gig'' in 1990, an ...

as Nurse Toni (season 4-5)

Episodes

Reception

Of ''House Husbands'', Graeme Blundell from ''

The Australian ''The Australian'', with its Saturday edition, ''The Weekend Australian'', is a broadsheet newspaper published by News Corp Australia since 14 July 1964.Bruns, Axel. "3.1. The active audience: Transforming journalism from gatekeeping to gatew ...

'' wrote "It's a nice premise for a show, a kind of Aussie ''

Modern Family ''Modern Family'' is an American family sitcom television series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan for the American Broadcasting Company. It ran for 11 seasons, from September 23, 2009, to April 8, 2020. It follows the lives of thr ...

'' and, while not as stylish, or stylised for that matter -- it's underplayed in a kind of low-key naturalism -- its producers similarly lace the family shenanigans with real emotion to balance the humour. Directed with flair by Geoff Bennett, it's a nicely paced character-based comedy-drama constructed from the comings and goings of, as one of the characters says, a bunch of 'useless parents having a crack'." Blundell went on to say that the show is "far removed from the childish shenanigans" of ''

Two and a Half Men ''Two and a Half Men'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS for twelve seasons from September 22, 2003, to February 19, 2015. Originally starring Charlie Sheen in the lead role alongside Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones, the ...

'' and is not as soapy as ''

Packed to the Rafters ''Packed to the Rafters'' was an Australian family-oriented comedy drama television program which premiered on the Seven Network on Tuesday 26 August 2008 at 8:30 pm. The show continued on Tuesdays in this timeslot for its entire run. The d ...

'', a show that it could replace as "TV's favourite family hour". He added "Sure, there's a blokey edge to ''House Husbands'' though, so far at least, it's never lascivious, sexist or plain dumb." The first episode of ''House Husbands'' averaged 1.376 million viewers overnight, which was a ratings record. It also ranked first in the 16-39, 18-49 and 25-54-year-old demographics. Holly Byrnes from the ''

Herald Sun The ''Herald Sun'' is a conservative daily tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia, published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Corp Australia, itself a subsidiary of the Murdoch owned News Corp. The ''Herald S ...

'' reported that the show became the number one new Australian drama and a popular subject on social networking site

Twitter Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...

, where it trended in Australia and gained praise from viewers who dubbed it ''Underbelly: Dads''. Siobhan Duck from the ''

'' stated "Thank goodness for ''House Husbands''. The Melbourne-made drama is one of the better Aussie shows on TV. And certainly the only drama launched in 2012 to resonate with the audience. That's thanks largely to its stellar cast."

Accolades

Series ratings

International remakes

In July 2014, it was announced that ''House Husbands'' was to be re-made in France and Italy, after ZDF Enterprises, which owns the international rights to the series, negotiated a deal with French and Italian production companies Made In PM and Publispei. On February 17, 2017 premiered on

Canale 5 Canale 5 () is an Italian free-to-air television channel of Mediaset, owned by MFE - MediaForEurope. It was the first private television network to have a national coverage in Italy in 1980. On 4 December 2012, Mediaset launched Canale 5 HD, a s ...

the Italian version of the series under the title "Amore pensaci tu" (Love, you take care of it). The two one-hour episodes were watched by 2.86 million viewers. While the series premiered with good ratings, ratings slowly diminished throughout its run. Due to low ratings the series moved to late night.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:House Husbands Nine Network original programming Australian comedy-drama television series 2012 Australian television series debuts 2017 Australian television series endings English-language television shows Television shows set in Melbourne Television series by Playmaker Media Australian LGBT-related television shows 2010s LGBT-related drama television series