BBC STUDIOS AUSTRALIA to produce RAY MARTIN: THE LAST GOODBYE for SBS

Acclaimed journalist RAY MARTIN plans his own funeral, uncovering how Australia is choosing to say goodbye to our dead. Ray will discover the trends, cultural rituals, methods and emerging tech around the way we lay ourselves to rest as we shake hands with death. 

It’s a poignant, revealing and, at times, humorous quest that will see Ray challenge his own expectations while going down the rabbit hole into some unusual emerging practices such as cryonics, upright burial and body composting.

This is the second original series from BBC Studios Productions Australia for SBS following the earlier commission of The Matchmakers which will also air in 2024.

Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director,  BBC Studios Productions Australia said: 

“This is a fascinating exploration of Australians’ relationship with death, there are so many different ways that we choose to farewell life, from the deeply spiritual to the wholly pragmatic and this series gives an insight into what draws people to those choices.”

Bethan Arwel-Lewis, Commissioning Editor, Factual, SBS said: 

“Death is one of the certainties of life, it transcends age, culture and religion. Yet, even today, it’s one of the last taboos in society. As a network with a strong track record of making content that’s provocative with a purpose, this is a perfect subject for us to tackle.  And if there’s one man that can get the nation talking, thinking and even laughing about death, that’s Ray Martin.”

The Last Goodbye is produced by BBC Studios Productions Australia for SBS.   Executive Producers are Sky Kinninmont and Deb Spinocchia.   BBC Studios will be distributing the series internationally. Principal production funding from Screen Australia and SBS. Financed with support from Screen NSW.

The Last Goodbye is the latest in agrowing line-up of shows from BBC Studios Productions Australia. Recent commissions include Top Gear Australia for Paramount+, another series of Dancing With the Stars – hosted by Chris Brown alongside Sonia Kruger – and a second series of hit quiz show The 1% Club for the Seven Network and The Office Australia co-produced with Bunya Entertainment for Prime Video.

RAY MARTIN: THE LAST GOODBYE a three-part series which will air on SBS next year