PRESS RELEASE
Filming has begun on a unique six-part SBS comedy series The Family Law created by critically acclaimed writer Benjamin Law and produced by Matchbox Pictures (The Slap, Deadline Gallipoli, Maximum Choppage). Adapted from Law’s hit memoir of the same name, the series is set to air on SBS in 2016 with filming taking place in and around Brisbane this month.
The Family Law gives a vivid glimpse inside the gloriously dysfunctional world of a hilarious and heart-warming Chinese-Australian family. Seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Benjamin, it is set on the Sunshine Coast over a long, hot summer the family will never forget.
An exciting cast of talented newcomers are set to make their television debuts, including Trystan Go (The King and I) who stars as a young Benjamin Law. The Law siblings will be played by Shuang Hu as eldest sister Candy, George Zhao as older brother Andew, Karina Lee as Tammy and Vivian Wei as Michelle. Parents Jenny and Danny Law will be played by Australian actress Fiona Choi (The Newsroom, Homeland), and Anthony Brandon Wong (Maximum Choppage, Nowhere Boys)
SBS Director of Television and Online Content Marshall Heald said: “Creating distinctive stories that truly reflect Australia’s multicultural society is at the heart of the SBS charter. We’re thrilled to have such a clever, hilarious and unique series in development and proud to be working with Matchbox Pictures and Benjamin Law to bring the first Asian-Australian comedy series to audiences. The Family Law gives a bold, revealing insight into the life of one family while simultaneously being recognisable and relatable to families everywhere.”
Executive Producer Tony Ayes of Matchbox Pictures said: “When I first read Ben’s memoir The Family Law, I knew it was a project for Matchbox. I loved the fact that it was about a Chinese family but even more I loved that it’s populated by Chinese characters we’ve never seen on our TV screens before – outrageous, rude, funny and badly behaved. They are a family in the true sense that everyone can relate to – insanely honest and deeply loyal.”
Series creator Benjamin Law said: “Growing up, my family used to play ‘Spot the Asian’ and squeal with delight every time we saw an Asian person on Australian TV, which was basically never. So I’m so pumped to have made this often crazy, sometimes heartbreaking comedy where the cast is 90% Asian-Australian faces.”
Funny, frank and fearless The Family Law is the story of a loveable Australian family, as told by 14-year old Benjamin – slightly self-obsessed with aspirations to be famous despite his severe lack of talent. Over the series, we follow Benjamin as he strives for fame whilst trying to stop his parents from splitting up, usually with disastrous results. For the Laws, all communication can lead to misunderstanding and unlikely comedy stems from tragedy. This is a show about sabotaged expectations, growing pains, finding your place in the world, and the strange embarrassment we feel towards the people we’re supposed to love the most: our family.
The Family Law is produced by Julie Eckersley and Sophie Miller, executive produced by Debbie Lee and Tony Ayres, written by Benjamin Law and Marieke Hardy and directed by Jonathan Brough.
The Family Law is developed and produced by Matchbox Pictures in association with Screen Queensland, Screen Australia and SBS.