MYSTERY ROAD vs STATELESS vs WENTWORTH – Nominees revealed for 2020 AACTA Awards

The countdown is on to a reimagined 2020 AACTA Awards, with the first slate of nominees today announced across television, online, film, documentary and short film categories.

This year’s AACTA Award winners will be announced across two events:

Friday 27 November – previously referred to as the Industry Luncheon, the AACTA Industry Awards presented by Foxtel will this year be delivered online as part of AACTA’s new ScreenFest event, featuring more than 40 free screen events open to the public and industry.

Monday 30 November – the usual Ceremony at The Star Sydney will be held over two sittings with a reduced capacity adhering to a COVID safe plan. Highlights from the two ceremonies will be broadcast on Channel 7 on Wednesday 2 December.

TELEVISION

AACTA today announced nominations for 15 television categories – including performance nominations – with a total of 58 television productions receiving nominations so far.

This year’s nominees have captivated audiences of all ages, from Australia’s most watched programs of the year – including MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA and LEGO® MASTERS AUSTRALIA –through to quirky new comedies which were quick to build fanbases, such as UPRIGHT and LOL: LAST ONE LAUGHING, and gritty dramas, such as STATELESS and WENTWORTH, with its cult fan-following continuing to grow worldwide.

Entertainment

The AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program struck just the right note with audiences of all ages, offering light moments and the humour needed to endure the challenging year that was. Last year’s winner, LEGO® MASTERS AUSTRALIA,is again nominated this year,and once again proved a ratings winner, with the finale averaging 1.22 million viewers. It competes with EUROVISION: AUSTRALIA DECIDES – GOLD COAST 2020, HARD QUIZ, THE VOICE, THE WEEKLY and HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION, which this year celebrated its 200^th episode, and today receives its first AACTA nomination.

The AACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment Program sees last year’s winner, YOU CAN’T ASK THAT, again compete with GOGGLEBOX AUSTRALIA and WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, both nominated in 2019. Also nominated are HAMISH & ANDY’S “PERFECT” HOLIDAY, THE PROJECT and newcomer LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM, hailed by critics and audiences for its unique insights into the lives and dating journeys of people with autism.

Again likely reflecting the impacts of COVID-19 and spending more time at home in 2020, home renovations and food dominate the AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program, with 2019 nominee SELLING HOUSES AUSTRALIA competing with BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, THE LIVING ROOM and RESTORATION AUSTRALIA, alongside JIMMY SHU’S TASTE OF THE TERRITORY and LUKE NGUYEN’S RAILWAY VIETNAM.

Reality

Reality television also proved a salve to the challenging year that was, as reflected by record ratings – including for perennial fan favourite MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA. The popular cooking contest not only recorded its highest-rating premiere of the past five years in 2020, but has also become

Australia’s most nominated reality TV program of the past decade, with today’s nomination for the AACTA Award for Best Reality Program (which it has won three times), bringing its total AACTA nominations and wins to 14 nods since 2010.

MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA faces tough competition from fellow past Best Reality Program winners AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: ALL STARS (which won in 2019 for its CHAMPIONS VS CONTENDERS series), and THE AMAZING RACE AUSTRALIA (chasing its 2013 win) – both of which attracted nearly 1 million viewers for their tense season finales. Also competing are 2019 nominee THE BLOCK and I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE!, along with newcomer series THE REAL DIRTY DANCING.

Comedy

In a year when we needed it most, Australia’s best loved and most acclaimed comedians shone across the television comedy categories, spanning long-running series, to COVID-inspired lockdown laughs.

In light of the expanding talent and innovating formats within Australian TV comedy, AACTA this year created two new comedy awards – Best Comedy Series, and Best Comedy Entertainment – to be inclusive of broader formats such as stand-up and panels, alongside more traditional formats of narrative and sketch comedy.  

Nominations for the AACTA Awards for Best Comedy Series and Best Comedy Performer see tight competition, with new lockdown-lifestyle parody AT HOME ALONE TOGETHER – which had a strong debut with almost half a million viewers – competing in both categories with well-established and newcomer odd couple series ROSEHAVEN and UPRIGHT.

The Best Comedy Performer category sees past winner Celia Pacquola nominated with fellow ROSEHAVEN actor Luke McGregor, alongside UPRIGHT’S Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock, and comedian Anne Edmonds – nominated for her performances as Dr. Dianne Strize and the emotionally unstable ‘sa-wrong, sa-right’-clad Helen Bidou in AT HOME ALONE TOGETHER.

Having received a nomination every year since 2017, ROSEHAVEN this year competes for the AACTA Award for Best Comedy Series with fellow past nominee BLACK COMEDY and THE OTHER GUY, along with UPRIGHT and AT HOME ALONE TOGETHER.

The AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment sees ensemble performances across a mix of innovative formats and past AACTA-winning series. Biting current affairs satire SHAUN MICALLEF’S MAD AS HELL goes head-to-head with comedians trying to keep a straight face in LOL: LAST ONE LAUGHING hosted by Rebel Wilson, comedians taking to drink on DRUNK HISTORY AUSTRALIA, Melbourne International Comedy Festival stars in AUSTRALIAN LOCKDOWN COMEDY FESTIVAL, and stand-up stalwarts showcased on AUSTRALIAN AMAZON ORIGINAL STAND-UP SPECIALS.

Drama

While MYSTERY ROAD season two leads the race alongside the emotionally-charged refugee drama STATELESS, each securing seven nominations, WENTWORTH has become one of Australia’s most accoladed TV dramas of the decade, with two nominations today bringing the gritty prison drama’s total to 21 wins and nominations since the series began in 2013 (just one win/nomination short of the record set by TOP OF THE LAKE).     

MYSTERY ROAD and WENTWORTH are competing for the coveted AACTA Award for Best Drama Series alongside BLOOM season two, which was also nominated last year, and first-time nominees DOCTOR, DOCTOR, THE HEIGHTS and HALIFAX: RETRIBUTION, a reprisal of the ‘90s fan favourite HALIFAX F.P.

STATELESS is one of five nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Telefeature or Miniseries, competing alongside noirish police procedural THE GLOAMING, multicultural supernatural drama HUNGRY GHOSTS, cold war-era comedy/drama OPERATION BUFFALO, and suspenseful thriller THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS.

TheAACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama sees last year’s winner, Ewen Leslie, nominated for OPERATION BUFFALO, alongside Aaron Pederson and Bryan Brown – again nominated for their roles as Jay Swan (MYSTERY ROAD)and Ray Reed (BLOOM) – and STATELESS performers Fayssal Bazzi and Jai Courtney, today receiving his first AACTA nomination.

Having won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama in 2015, Pamela Rabe is again nominated for her WENTWORTH role as Joan ‘The Freak’ Ferguson. She competes alongside first-time nominee Jada Alberts (MYSTERY ROAD), Rebecca Gibney (HALIFAX: RETRIBUTION), and past winner Asher Keddie, who is nominated alongside fellow STATELESS performer Yvonne Strahovski, today receiving her first AACTA nomination.

Multi-award-winning Damon Herriman is nominated for The AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama for his role in the climate crisis drama, THE COMMONS. He competes with Darren Gilshenan (STATELESS), Ed Oxenbould (BLOOM), and Rob Collins and Callan Mulvey (MYSTERY ROAD). 

Competition for the AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama is tight, with two nominations for BLOOM performances (Jacqueline McKenzie and Jacki Weaver – also nominated for her performance as Gwen Reed in 2019), and two for MYSTERY ROAD performances (with nods for first-time nominee Ngaire Pigram, and Tasma Walton,nominated for the same role in 2018). Also nominated is Cate Blanchett for her performance in STATELESS, marking Blanchett’s first AACTA nominations in television categories (with Blanchett also today nominated for her producer credit on STATELESS). 

Documentary or Factual

The quest for survival is a common theme among many of the six nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program, albeit spanning a myriad of topics.

FIGHT FOR PLANET A: OUR CLIMATE CHALLENGE sees members of the AACTA-winning WAR ON WASTE team reunite to tackle the climate crisis, while LINDY CHAMBERLAIN: THE TRUE STORY and MURDER IN THE OUTBACK: THE FALCONIO AND LEES MYSTERY present new perspectives on harrowing experiences which captivated the nation.

SHAUN MICALLEF’S ON THE SAUCE explores Australia’s turbulent relationship with alcohol, AMBULANCE AUSTRALIA provides heart-racing insights into everyday, though unexpected, trauma, and MARALINGA TJARUTJA (made as a condition for filming Best Telefeature of Miniseries nominee, OPERATION BUFFALO, on Maralinga Tjarutja Country), captures the impact of nuclear testing and beyond in a story of dispossession and survival.

Children’s Television

Australian children’s television continues to build its reputation for excellence at home and abroad, with BLUEY receiving an International Emmy® Kids Award earlier this year, and today receiving a nomination for the AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program, chasing last year’s win. Also competing are past nominees THE INBESTIGATORS and MUSTANGS FC, along with Indigenous animation LITTLE J & BIG CUZ, living history series ARE YOU TOUGHER THAN YOUR ANCESTORS? and transgender high school-set drama FIRST DAY.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DRAMA SERIES

• BLOOM David Maher, David Taylor, Glen Dolman, Sue Seeary—Playmaker Media (Stan)
• DOCTOR DOCTOR Ian Collie, Ally Henville, Keith Thompson, Rodger Corser—Easy Tiger (Nine Network)
• HALIFAX: RETRIBUTION Roger Simpson, Louisa Kors—Beyond Lone Hand (Nine Network)
• THE HEIGHTS Warren Clarke, Peta Astbury-Bulsara, Debbie Lee, Que Minh Luu— Matchbox Pictures in association with For Pete’s Sake Productions (ABC)
• MYSTERY ROAD David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin—Bunya Productions (ABC)
• WENTWORTH Jo Porter, Pino Amenta—Fremantle (Foxtel)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST TELEFEATURE OR MINISERIES

• THE GLOAMING Victoria Madden, John Molloy, Fiona McConaghy—2 Jons and Sweet Potato Films (Stan)
• HUNGRY GHOSTS Stephen Corvini, Timothy Hobart, Debbie Lee, Sue Masters— Matchbox Pictures (SBS)
• OPERATION BUFFALO Vincent Sheehan, Tanya Phegan, Peter Duncan—Porchlight Films (ABC)
• THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS Helen Bowden, Jason Stephens, Paul Watters—Lingo Pictures (Network Ten)
• STATELESS Cate Blanchett, Elise McCredie, Tony Ayres, Sheila Jayadev, Paul Ranford, Liz Watts, Andrew Upton—Matchbox Pictures, Dirty Films (ABC)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST COMEDY SERIES

• AT HOME ALONE TOGETHER Nick Hayden, Janet Gaeta, Nikita Agzarian, Dan Ilic— Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC)
• BLACK COMEDY Kath Shelper, Mark O’Toole, Nakkiah Lui, David Woodhead—Scarlett Pictures (ABC)
• THE OTHER GUY Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford, Jude Troy, Alice Willison—Aquarius Films, Wooden Horse (Stan)
• ROSEHAVEN Andrew Walker, Kevin Whyte, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor—What Horse? And Guesswork Television (ABC)
• UPRIGHT – Jason Stephens, Helen Bowden, Melissa Kelly, Chris Taylor, Tim Minchin— Lingo Pictures (Foxtel)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

• AUSTRALIAN AMAZON ORIGINAL STAND-UP SPECIALS Todd Abbott, Frank Bruzzese, Kevin Whyte, Kathleen McCarthy—Guesswork Television (Amazon Prime Video Australia)
• AUSTRALIAN LOCKDOWN COMEDY FESTIVAL Kevin Whyte, Jon Casimir, Todd Abbott—Guesswork Television (Stan)
• DRUNK HISTORY AUSTRALIA Paul Franklin, Chris Culvenor, Sophia Mogford, Ashley Davies—Eureka Productions (Network Ten)
• LOL: LAST ONE LAUGHING AUSTRALIA David McDonald, Marty Benson—Amazon Prime Video Australia, Endemol Shine Australia (Amazon Prime Video Australia)
• SHAUN MICALLEF’S MAD AS HELL Shaun Micallef, Peter Beck, Gary McCaffrie—ITV Studios Australia, Giant Baby Productions (ABC)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

• EUROVISION – AUSTRALIA DECIDES – GOLD COAST 2020 Paul Clarke, Stephanie Werrett, Josh Martin—Blink TV Production (SBS)
• HARD QUIZ Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Charlie Pickering, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh—Thinkative Television (ABC)
• HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION? Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Michael Hirsh, Rob Sitch—Working Dog Productions (Network Ten)
• LEGO® MASTERS AUSTRALIA David McDonald, AJ Johnson, Mark Barlin—Endemol Shine Australia in association with Nine Network (Nine Network)
• THE VOICE Leigh Aramberri, Chloe Baker, Jaala Webster, Beth Hart—ITV Studios Australia (Nine Network)
• THE WEEKLY Kevin Whyte, Chris Walker, Charlie Pickering, Jo Long—Thinkative Television, Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

• GOGGLEBOX AUSTRALIA Howard Myers, David McDonald, Kerrie Kerr— Endemol Shine, Network Ten, Foxtel (Foxtel, Network Ten)
• HAMISH & ANDY’S “PERFECT” HOLIDAY Tim Bartley, Hamish Blake, Andy Lee, Ryan Shelton—Radio Karate (Nine Network)
• LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM Cian O’Clery, Karina Holden, Jenni Wilks —Northern Pictures (ABC)
• THE PROJECT Craig Campbell, Christopher Bendall, Sarah Ashley—Roving Enterprises, Network Ten (Network Ten)
• WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Maxine Gray, Michael Wilton—Warner Bros. International Television Productions (SBS)
• YOU CAN’T ASK THAT Kirk Docker, Frances O’Riordan, Ali Russell—Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LIFESTYLE PROGRAM

• BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Russel Palmer, Rani Eaton—Seven Network (Seven Network)
• JIMMY SHU’S TASTE OF THE TERRITORY Naina Sen, Sally Ingleton, Josh Martin— Indigo Productions and 360 Degree Films (SBS)
• THE LIVING ROOM Sarah Thornton, Ciaran Flannery—Network Ten and WTFN (Network Ten)
• LUKE NGUYEN’S RAILWAY VIETNAM Michael Donnelly, Josh Martin, John Hatcher, Clara O’Sullivan—Red Creative Media (SBS)
• RESTORATION AUSTRALIA Brooke Bayvel—Fremantle (ABC)
• SELLING HOUSES AUSTRALIA Sonia Harding, Geoff Fitzpatrick, Wendy Moore— Beyond Productions (Foxtel)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST REALITY PROGRAM

• THE AMAZING RACE AUSTRALIA Paul Franklin, Chris Culvenor, Sophia Mogford, Stephen Tate—Eureka Productions (Network Ten)
• AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: ALL STARS Amelia Fisk, Keely Sonntag, Adam Fergusson— Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)
• THE BLOCK David Barbour, Julian Cress—Cavalier Television (Nine Network)
• I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! Ben Ulm, Clare Bath, Alex Mavroidakis, Riima Daher—ITV Studios Australia (Network Ten)
• MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Marty Benson, Adam Fergusson—Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)
• THE REAL DIRTY DANCING Paul Franklin, Chris Culvenor, Sophia Mogford, Sonya Wilkes—Eureka Productions (Seven Network)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

• ARE YOU TOUGHER THAN YOUR ANCESTORS? Vanna Morosini, Stu Connolly, Donna Andrews—Flying Kite Pictures & Sticky Fingers Pictures (ABC)
• BLUEY Joe Brumm, Charlie Aspinwall, Sam Moor, Daley Pearson—Ludo Studio (ABC)
• FIRST DAY Julie Kalceff, Kirsty Stark, Kate Croser—Epic Films (ABC)
• THE INBESTIGATORS Robyn Butler, Wayne Hope—Gristmill (ABC)
• LITTLE J & BIG CUZ Tony Thorne, Ned Lander, Colin South, Alicia Rackett—Ned Lander Media (NITV)
• MUSTANGS FC Amanda Higgs, Rachel Davis, Debbie Lee—Matchbox Pictures (ABC)
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

• Fayssal Bazzi—STATELESS
• Bryan Brown—BLOOM
• Jai Courtney—STATELESS
• Ewen Leslie—OPERATION BUFFALO
• Aaron Pedersen—MYSTERY ROAD
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

• Jada Alberts—MYSTERY ROAD
• Rebecca Gibney—HALIFAX: RETRIBUTION
• Asher Keddie—STATELESS
• Pamela Rabe—WENTWORTH
• Yvonne Strahovski—STATELESS
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST COMEDY PERFORMER

• Milly Alcock—UPRIGHT
• Anne Edmonds—AT HOME ALONE TOGETHER
• Luke McGregor—ROSEHAVEN
• Tim Minchin—UPRIGHT
• Celia Pacquola—ROSEHAVEN
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

• Rob Collins—MYSTERY ROAD
• Darren Gilshenan—STATELESS
• Damon Herriman—THE COMMONS
• Callan Mulvey—MYSTERY ROAD
• Ed Oxenbould—BLOOM
  
  

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA

• Cate Blanchett—STATELESS
• Jacqueline McKenzie—BLOOM
• Ngaire Pigram—MYSTERY ROAD
• Tasma Walton—MYSTERY ROAD
• Jacki Weaver—BLOOM