Series synopsis
Total Control is an Australian drama television series that premiered on ABC TV on October 13, 2019. It ended on February 18, 2024. It was created by Darren Dale, Rachel Griffiths, Miranda Dear. It stars Deborah Mailman, Rachel Griffiths, Rob Collins and Wayne Blair.
A local Indigenous politician is recruited to the senate by the Australian Prime Minister after a contentious video goes viral.
Premise
A local Indigenous politician is recruited to the senate by the Australian Prime Minister after a contentious video goes viral.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving
- Rachel Griffiths as Rachel Anderson
- Rob Collins as Charlie Irving
- Wayne Blair as Paul Murphy
- Harry Richardson as Jonathan Cosgrove
- Anthony Hayes as Damien Bauer
- William McInnes as Laurie Martin
- Wesley Patten as Eddie Irving
Supporting cast
- Huw Higginson as Peter Solomon
- Steph Tisdell as Joely McKinnon
Guest cast
- Robert Mammone as Bill
- Aaron Pedersen as Tom Campbell Jnr
- Trisha Morton-Thomas as Jan Irving
- Sacha Horler as Kelly Campbell
- Hamish Michael as Kosta
- Ian Stenlake as Journalist
- Rhys Muldoon as Interviewer
- Mia Evans as Young Woman
- Ashlee Lollback as Dying Woman
- Michelle Collins as Council Worker
- Jeremy Fernandez as Newsreader
- Lorna Dunkley as Newsreader
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 18 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | October 13, 2019 | November 17, 2019 |
| Season 2 | 6 | November 7, 2021 | December 12, 2021 |
| Season 3 | 6 | January 14, 2024 | February 18, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 A fearless Indigenous senator, barely weeks into her political career in Canberra, and betrayed at the highest level, must seek redemption and settle a score against the party, and the Prime Minister of Australia. |
October 13, 2019 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Alex proves her worth to the government, brokering a difficult deal between native title holder and the government. Meanwhile JC hitch-hikes across the country in an effort to meet Alex. |
October 20, 2019 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 As Alex works around the clock to get the community's deal before the Senate, there is opposition within the party and the PM barely holds onto her leadership. With JC almost in reach, Alex is faced with a tragedy at home. |
October 27, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Alex Irving is back, but this time she's doing things her way. Can the ultimate outsider find a new way in and take control of a political establishment determined to shake everything she values? |
November 7, 2021 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Alex returns home, determined to get her grassroots campaign off the ground. Rachel makes a surprise announcement that sees her facing off with Alex on live television. After the show, Rachel makes Alex an interesting offer. |
November 14, 2021 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Alex's success on the campaign trail has caught the attention of popular incumbent Jack Ramsay and he's not going down without a fight. Rachel's bid for re-election gets a boost when she attends a rival's campaign event. |
November 21, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 It's been two years since Alex Irving anointed Paul Murphy as Australia's first Aboriginal Prime Minister. Since then, the government has weathered a global pandemic and the tide of public sentiment turning against them. |
January 14, 2024 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Alex receives a health diagnosis which threatens to derail her political ambitions. Rachel learns some shocking news about her campaign finance from journalist Marion Beaumont. |
January 21, 2024 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 At a Parliamentary event, Rachel gathers the numbers for her alliance, while a serious health scare throws Alex's entire future into jeopardy. |
January 28, 2024 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC TV |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 13, 2019 |
| Last aired | February 18, 2024 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 20:30:00 |