Netflix Originals
UPDATE: Netflix Australia has made a few big announcements, including news about Aziz Ansari’s new show, more BoJack Horseman, the next Marvel show, a launch date for the fourth season of Longmire and much, much more – details below!
Now that Netflix has officially arrived on our shores, Australians are eager to discover new content on the service, and are also keen to find out how it compares to the U.S. version of the service.
The recent launch of the Stan streaming service has proven that Australians are ready to adopt online streaming as the entertainment delivery method of the future, which puts the market in a good place leading into Netflix’s launch.
Still, the question remains: does Australian Netflix deliver the goods in terms of content?
With that in mind, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of Australian Netflix’s confirmed licensing partners and content line-up so far, and will be keeping it up-to-date as more announcements are made.
Netflix Originals — Present
Arguably the best reason to get a Netflix account is for the service’s own original shows, which are all made available by the company as complete seasons that users can start binge-watching immediately.
Netflix Australia will be launching with original shows that are already available overseas, such as Marco Polo, Netflix’s most expensive original show to date, with a budget of US$90 million.
Complimenting that historical, martial arts epic is the animated comedy series BoJack Horseman, starring Will Arnett as a washed-up ’90s sitcom star who just happens to be a horse, Alison Brie as the ghost writer of his autobiography and Aaron Paul as his human roommate Todd.
If you’re currently enjoying (or have already finished) the second season of BoJack Horseman, you’ll be happy to know that the show has been renewed for a third season – those Netflix bosses aren’t horsin’ around.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sGsBoX6vUo
We can also confirm that all three seasons of the flagship Netflix Original show House of Cards are available on the local Netflix, despite initial reports that the Australian version of the service would lack the first two seasons due to local rights issues.
Netflix Original series Orange is the New Black is also available to stream in its entirety, with the recent addition of the long-awaited third season of the award-winning show.
One of the most popular Original shows on Netflix is Marvel’s Daredevil, which is Marvel Studios’ first attempt at creating original material for the service.
Marvel’s Daredevil is the first of four Marvel Studios TV shows to arrive on Netflix, with individual series’ A.K.A. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist on the way, eventually leading into the Avengers-style team-up mini-series, The Defenders.
A second season of Daredevil has already been confirmed, so keep your ear to the pavement (or your eye on this page) for more information.
Netflix also has the acclaimed original documentaries Virunga about the preservation of life the Congo, as well as the oceanography documentary Mission Blue.
The new Canadian survivalist thriller series Between has also arrived on the service, and is about a small town where everyone over the age of 21 has died.
Unlike most Netflix Original shows, new episodes of Between will arrive on the service weekly.
The service also produces stand-up comedy specials like Chelsea Handler’s Uganda Be Kidding Me Live, and Jim Jefferies: BARE.
Another comedic Netflix original is the comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which is a light-hearted look at life in New York for a former captive, starring Ellie Kemper as the titular Kimmy and Jane Krakowski as her boss.
Keeping the comedy content coming, the new series from the creator of Friends called Gracie and Frankie recently debuted on the service in May, and stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two ‘frenemies’ whose husbands leave them for each other.
Netflix even has its own original anime series – set a thousand years after the destruction of Earth, Knights of Sidonia sees humanity confined to giant spaceships, in a battle for survival against a gigantic alien race known as the Gauna.
Sidonia fans will be happy to know that the second season of the Netflix Original series will be arriving on the service on July 3.
In terms of Netflix Original content that’s just been released, check out Sense8, a new series from the Wachowskis, creators of The Matrix trilogy.
Sense8 is about about a group of eight people around the world whose senses are connected in a mysterious way – expect copious amounts of sci-fi action.
Another acclaimed series worth checking out is Bloodlines, which aims to provide a thrilling family drama from the makers of Damages and The Sopranos.
Anyone who’s seen the How to Train Your Dragon films from DreamWorks Animation knows how awesome they are, which is why it’s so exciting that the new Netflix Original series Dragons: Race to the Edge, which sees Hiccup, Toothless and the rest of the gang return is now available to stream instantly.
Fans of the award-winning foodie documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi will be over the moon with the recently added series Chef’s Table, which is from the same makers and follows six renowned chefs from six michelin-starred restaurants around the world.
Also available on Netflix is the Nina Simone documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? which debuted at Sundance to critical acclaim.
Netflix has also confirmed that Kids and Family Originals shows The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Ever After High: Spring Unsprung and Mako Mermaids will all be available to watch when the service launches in Australia.
Netflix Originals — Future
Fans of David Wain’s 2001 summer camp comedy film Wet Hot American Summer have plenty to cheer about – Netflix has commissioned a prequel series to the cult classic called Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, which will debut on the service in its entirety on July 17.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLlMTn_Jzok
Despite many of the original cast members having hit superstardom since the film’s release, everyone will be back, including Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Rudd, Michael Ian Black, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Christopher Meloni, Marguerite Moreau, Zak Orth, Amy Poehler, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon and Michael Showalter.
After having already brought the series back once before, Netflix is bringing the classic comedy show Arrested Development back for 17 more episodes sometime in the middle of 2016, according to series executive producer Brian Grazer.
Spanish-language content is also on the way, with the announcement of Netflix’s first Spanish-language original series Club de Cuervos, which is currently shooting in Mexico, and the Pablo Escobar drug cartel drama Narcos, also on the way.
The Chris D’Elia: Incorrigible special arrived on April 17, and there are also more stand-up comedy specials on the way to the service, Jen Kirkman: I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine) coming on May 22.
On top of that, Netflix will also be resurrecting the cancelled series, Longmire, with a fourth season in the confirmed to arrive on the service on September 10.
Netflix has also stepped into the feature film arena, with a planned simultaneous streaming and IMAX release in the first quarter of 2016 for its upcoming martial arts epic, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, with original star Michelle Yeoh returning and action icon Donnie Yen also confirmed.
If you think that news is great, it gets even better – Netflix has acquired the theatrical and streaming distribution rights to Brad Pitt’s upcoming satirical war movie, War Machine, which is being positioned by Netflix as an Oscar contender.
The film, which is written and directed by acclaimed Australian filmmaker David Michôd (Animal Kingdom, The Rover), is based on the book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by author Michael Hastings.
Those of you who are still fans of Adam Sandler will be pleased to know that his upcoming Netflix-exclusive satirical western film The Ridiculous Six, which has caught flak over the film’s portrayal of Native Americans, will arrive on the service on December 11.
Arriving on the service on October 16 is the Netflix Original war drama Beasts of No Nation, from director Cary Fukunaga (True Detective).
The film, which stars Idris Elba (The Wire, Luther) deals with child soldiers in an African civil war, and will receive a simultaneous theatre release (likely in a bid to bag some Oscars).
Netflix has also announced that it has acquired the war thriller Jadotville, starring Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) and Guillaume Canet (Tell No One), which will go into production in April and will premiere on Netflix across all territories in 2016.
Pee-Wee Herman fans have a lot to be happy about, with the character making his long-awaited return in the Netflix Original movie Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which is set for release in March 2016.
Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari will return to the small screen on November 6 with his new comedy series, Master of None, about a 30-year-old actor in New York who doesn’t know what to do with his life.
Comedienne Chelsea Handler is bringing her four-part documentary film series Chelsea Does to Netflix in 2016, tackling the subjects of marriage, racism, technology and drugs.
Lots of great stuff is due to arrive on Netflix in the fourth quarter of 2016, kicking off with Marvel’s Jessica Jones, which follows on from Marvel’s Daredevil and features Krysten Ritter as a private detective – expect the same kind of street-level gritty action from that series.
It’s also been announced that Marvel plans to bring each of its new shows to Netflix every six months – fantastic news!
Remember the series Mr. Show with Bob and David? Well, Bob Odenkirk and David Cross will be back in Q4 2016 with a new(ish) Netflix Original series, simply titled With Bob and David.
Director Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) is bringing Netflix a magical Christmas present this year with A Very Murray Christmas, starring Bill Murray and a huge cast of supporting actors, including George Clooney, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, Miley Cyrus and more.
Also due in the fourth quarter, is the third and final season of Eli Roth’s horror series, Hemlock Grove.
Content Partners
When you wish upon a stream
Netflix’s deal with The Walt Disney Company is one of its biggest wins in the battle for streaming supremacy in Australia, giving the service a large selection of popular content from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm.
Confirmed Pixar content includes such as films as Cars, Monsters Inc. and UP, while Marvel Studios will be providing the service with Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Walt Disney Animation Studio will be providing the highest-grossing animated film of all time Frozen, as well as Tangled and Big Hero 6, and other Disney favourites like Saving Mr. Banks, Maleficent, Muppets Most Wanted and Planes will also be appearing on the service.
In terms of television shows, the Disney deal brings with it Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Jake and the Never Land Pirates from Disney Junior, the Disney Channel’s Good Luck Charlie and ABC Studios’ hit series Lost.
While some of those films and shows might make their way over to other streaming services, the Disney deal lists Guardians of the Galaxy, Maleficent and Big Hero 6 as Netflix exclusives in the months after launch.
Let’s get this show on the road!
Bringing another licensing partner into its fold, Netflix Australia has announced a deal with Roadshow Entertainment that will bring a wealth of content to the service, including exclusive content and locally-sourced material.
Roadshow Entertainment, which also provides content to rival streaming service Stan, will be providing film content such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Matrix trilogy, and the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy, as well as the Aussie classics Happy Feet and Bran Nue Dae and comedies Zoolander and Wedding Crashers.
The deal also grants Netflix the exclusive Australian streaming rights to British TV dramas Broadchurch and The Tunnel.
Will the real media streaming service please «stand up»?
-100-100.jpg "Arj Barker on Netflix")
In the first of its (hopefully many) local content announcements, Netflix has confirmed it’s going to be bringing the laughs with a heap of stand up comedy performances from Aussie funny people.
Among some of the specials to be launching are: Carl Barron: A One Ended Stick; Arj Barker: Harvest; Kitty Flanagan: Hello Kitty; Jimeoin: Something Smells Funny, and Umbilical Brothers: The Rehearsal.
The deal that makes these comedy specials possible is with Beyond Distribution, which is also responsible for cult classic MythBusters, plus kids shows Mako Mermaids, H2O: Just add water, Lightning Point, Maya the Bee, Lalaloopsy, and The Hive.
Naturally, these shows will also be appearing on Netflix Australia when it launches next month, although don’t expect every episode from every show at once.
RIght. So is that it?
Not even close – fans of the hit series Supernatural are in for a treat, as the first nine seasons of the show have now been available to stream instantly on Netflix.
But that’s just one show – as with any subscription video-on-demand service, new content is being added to Netflix daily, so stay turned for more information on upcoming show and movie additions.
We will be regularly updating this content line-up listing as more information becomes available to us.
- Netflix has officially launched in Australia. Time to read our Netflix review!
