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Season 1 – Total Control

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Total Control Oct 2019 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Fearless Indigenous senator Alex Irving finds herself at the center of media attention after a shocking event and, barely weeks into her political career in Canberra, must deal with betrayal inside the government.
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Total Control — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Karl Quinn The Age (Australia) 11/11/2021
4/5
It suggests there's still a chance to reform politics, still time for history to be made. I'd like to trust it's right. Go to Full Review Dorothy Rabinowitz Wall Street Journal 12/15/2020
It's an enterprise mightily enlarged by its merciless focus on political combat, its depiction of longtime trusted alliances, its biting vision of the prevailing codes, and what passes for right and wrong in political society. Go to Full Review Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) 10/22/2019
4/5
It's hard to remember the last time an Australian drama had dialogue as biting, juicy, and telling as the lines that ricochet back and forth - simultaneously revealing power and defining personalities - in the ABC's new drama. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ 03/22/2021
Total Control offers a scathing examination of Australian politics, a clarion call for social justice and a magnificent showcase for the songwriting and singing skills of Missy Higgins. Go to Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said 01/04/2021
[A] gripping political drama series. Go to Full Review Joel Keller Decider 12/28/2020
Just because a show goes in the direction of a procedural-type show doesn't mean that it can't be elevated by a good cast and sharp writing. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sarah G @SG083 Dec 22 I thought this was really good, captivating television. Brilliant acting particularly by the leads Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths but some wonderful characters portrayed by Harry Richardson as Jonathon and Shantae Barnes-Cowan as Jess. The show perfectly exhibits the seedier side of politics and how even when people enter politics with good intentions, these quickly make way for the horse trading deals that need to be done to stay in power. It also cleverly showed the way the faceless people influence and affect decisions in politics. I binged it over 2 days and am thoroughly looking forward to the second series. See more Nancy M @nmack 04/18/2023 Loved both seasons.Interesting unique premise. Excellent performances, cast, and script. It would be great if they had more seasons or some spin offs with some/most of the cast. This really is a must see. See more sarah g 12/14/2021 Clever, thoughtful with great acting. It's not only the drama that compels but the fact the way politicians, the press and "normal" people react, is so standard. Alex, the main character, looks to change that - and great TV begins… See more 12/13/2021 A taut political thriller with absolutely brilliant writing, and acting to match. Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths in particular are excellent but the supporting cast are also fantastic. Who would have thought Aussie politics could be so exciting? The fact the show draws on actual events and elements of actual political figures to supplement the story makes it even better. See more 11/29/2021 One of the best Australian productions this year. See more Read all reviews
Total Control — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Deborah Mailman

Alex Irving

Rachel Griffiths

Rachel Anderson

William McInnes

Laurie Martin

Aaron Pedersen

Tom Campbell Jr

Anthony Hayes

Damien Bauer

Harry Richardson

Johnathon

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 13, 2019 Indigenous senator Alex Irving finds herself at the center of media attention after a shocking event, then must deal with betrayal inside the government. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 20, 2019 Alex proves she is an asset, brokering a deal between native titleholders and the government; JC resorts to hitchhiking to try and meet Alex. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 27, 2019 Alex's determination to get a fair deal for the community holds up legislation critical to national security, and ignites fury in the party room. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 3, 2019 At home for Jan's funeral, a grieving Alex is struck by the knowledge that the Prime Minister has betrayed her and the community; after learning the extent of the deception, she resolves to return to Canberra and fight back. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 10, 2019 Back in Canberra, Alex and the prime minister play a game of political cat-and-mouse; the only person that can help Alex is JC, who gets spooked before they can meet. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 17, 2019 Alex declares war on her party in her pursuit of justice for JC; she constructs a plan in the face of the PM's double dealings that could have catastrophic consequences for the government. Details

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Total Control — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Rachel Perkins
Network
ABC Australia
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Australian English
Release Date
Oct 13, 2019