''Wellmania'' is an Australian

comedy-drama Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elements of comedy and drama. The modern, scripted-television examples tend to have more humorous bits than simple comic relief seen in a typical ...

streaming television series co-created by Brigid Delaney and Benjamin Law for Netflix. Based on Delaney's memoir-reportage hybrid, ''Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness'', it follows Liv Healy (

Celeste Barber Celeste Barber (born 6 May 1982) is an Australian comedian and media personality. Early life Celeste was born and raised in Australia, and grew up in the city of Sydney for most of her life. She has a sister. Celeste attended Saint Joseph's ...

), a 39-year-old woman who struggles with a "major health crisis" as she tries various methods to reclaim her well-being. The series launched globally on the streaming platform on 29 March 2023.

Premise

Liv Healy, a

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

-based food writer with an unhealthy lifestyle, recently receives an opportunity that forces her to reevaluate her choices in her hometown of

Sydney, Australia Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and List of cities in Oceania by population, Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metro ...

. Struggling with her previous habits, she tries various methods of healthy living in order to advance her career to varying levels of success.

Cast

Main

as Olivia "Liv" Healy, ''New York Times'' food writer ** Olive McKinnon plays a younger Liv Healy *

JJ Fong JJ Fong (born ) is a New Zealand actress and producer. She is best known for her roles as Alice Lee in the hit NZ television programme ''Go Girls'', Betty in the programme ''Step Dave'' and Jessica in the acclaimed NZ web series ''Flat3'' and i ...

as Amy Kwan, an investigative journalist from ''The Standard Sydney'' who is Liv's best friend of 24 years ** Heleina Zara plays a younger Amy Kwan *

Genevieve Mooy Genevieve Mooy is an Australian actress. She has had a career on both stage and screen. She has appeared in stage productions such as ''Coral Browne - This F***ing Lady'' and ''The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race'' She was a regular on the first ...

as Lorraine Healy, Liv's mother who works as a nurse * Lachlan Buchanan as Gareth "Gaz" Healy, Liv's brother and fitness trainer * Remy Hii as Dalbert Tan, Gaz's fiancé * Alexander Hodge as Isaac Huang, ex-football player who is Liv's love interest * Simone Kessell as Helen King, editor-in-chief of ''The Standard Sydney'' * Virginie Laverdure as Valerie Jones, Liv's editor from ''New York Times'' * Johnny Carr as Doug Henderson, Amy's husband who is a construction worker

Recurring

* Leah Vandenberg as Dr. Priyanka Singh, consulate-approved physician * Anthony Phelan as Dr. Price, Lorraine's employer and physician * Guy Edmonds as Chad, United States consulate official * Billy Bate as Archie Henderson-Kwan, Amy and Doug's son * Kiera McAlister as Evie Henderson-Kwan, Amy and Doug's teenage daughter * Claire Lovering as Bianga, Dalbert's close friend * Nicole Shostak as Megan, Dalbert's close friend * Matthew Backer as Armand, Dalbert's close friend and a hairstylist

Guest

Miranda Otto Miranda Otto (born 16 December 1967) is an Australian actress. She is the daughter of actors Barry and Lindsay Otto and the paternal half-sister of actress Gracie Otto. Otto began her acting career in 1986 at age 18 and appeared in a variety ...

as Camille Lavigne, sex therapist and motivational speaker * Aden Young as Gabriel Wolf, renowned chef from New York * Yael Stone as Philomena, a death doula * Keegan Joyce as Sebastian, Gaz's ex-boyfriend

Episodes

Production

Development

Netflix had ordered ''Wellmania'', inspired by Brigid Delaney's novel, ''Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness'', on 11 December 2021 for an eight-part half-hour series. Delaney and Benjamin Law was announced as co-creators, with Law serving as executive producer. Celeste Barber, Belinda King, Bree-Anne Sykes, in addition to Chris Oliver-Taylor and Warren Clarke from

Fremantle Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for ...

, would also join Law as an executive producer. Additionally, Romina Accurso, Nick Coyle, and Amy Stewart were announced as series' writers. On 23 March 2022, Erin White and Helena Brooks were unveiled as the series directors. On 31 October 2023, Barber confirmed that the series had been canceled after one season.

Casting

Upon series announcement on 11 December 2021, Celeste Barber was also announced to play the series' lead. On 21 March 2022, it was revealed that JJ Fong, Genevieve Mooy, Lachlan Buchanan, Remy Hii, Alexander Hodge, Simone Kessell, Johnny Carr, and Virginie Laverdure would join Barber as the main casts of the series. Additionally, Miranda Otto, Leah Vandenberg, and Aden Young would also appear on undisclosed capacities.

Filming

Principal photography of the series were announced on 11 December 2021, with

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

unveiled as one of the shooting locations. On 21 March 2022, Dan Freene was revealed as the series cinematographer.

Release

''Wellmania'' premiered on the streaming platform on 29 March 2023.

Marketing

First trailer of the series was launched on YouTube on 15 February 2023.

Awards and nominations

* Logie Award for Most Popular Actress –

(pending)

References

External links

* * {{Netflix original current series 2020s Australian comedy television series 2020s Australian drama television series 2023 Australian television series debuts Alternative medicine Australian comedy-drama television series English-language Netflix original programming Television series about journalism Television series based on novels Television series by Fremantle (company) Television shows based on Australian novels Television shows filmed in Australia Television shows set in Sydney