Austin: cast, plot and everything we know

The cast of Austin
(Image credit: BBC)

Austin is a new comedy coming to the BBC and BBCiPlayer starring Ben Miller.

Ben Miller has co-created the eight-part series, which also stars Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary).

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition says: "Irresistibly charming, humorous and heart-warming, BBC viewers are sure to find Austin a sheer delight from start to finish".

Here's everything we know about Austin...

Austin release date

The BBC is yet to confirm when the show will air in the UK. But as the series has been made it shouldn’t be too long a wait. We will update this article when we have a release date. We don't have a US release date.

Austin plot

The makers tease: "When much-loved children’s author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller) inadvertently causes a social media storm, his career and that of his illustrator wife Ingrid (Sally Phillips) appears to be over. That is until Austin (Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son that Julian never knew existed, turns up out of the blue. Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julian’s route back from cancellation? Will Ingrid ever forgive him? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a pushover, he’s in for a rude awakening." We know that Julian decides to make a documentary about everything that's going on in his life...

Cast

Ben Miller stars as children's author Julian, which shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for Ben as he is of course a real life children’s author. Sally Phillips plays his wife Ingrid, with Michael Theo, described as "the breakout star of the international hit romantic docuseries Love on the Spectrum", as Theo. Gia Carides (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish, Underbelly) also feature.

Austin reviews

The Guardian gave the series a positive review, stating: "The plotline involving Julian making a documentary about himself gets a tad silly, but even when the story slips a little, the writing and performances never lose their wit and sharpness. Another season, please!”

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there certainly is and it's funny...

Official Trailer | Austin | ABC TV + iview - YouTube Official Trailer | Austin | ABC TV + iview - YouTube
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David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!