Paul Kelly’s iconic song becomes a film. Watch How to Make Gravy on BINGE from 1 December. Explore the first-look trailer, cast details, and music cameos in this adaptation.
BINGE has released the official trailer, key art, and a selection of first-look images for its highly anticipated first original feature film, How To Make Gravy, which is set to premiere on Sunday, 1 December 2024.
The film is an adaptation of Paul Kelly’s iconic song of the same name, with the screenplay crafted by ARIA award-winning musician Meg Washington and Nick Waterman.
After nearly three decades of fans embracing Kelly’s celebrated song, the trailer offers a preview of the film’s emotional narrative, centring around Joe and his family as they face their first Christmas without him.
The story introduces viewers to a family at a pivotal moment, deeply rooted in the familiar themes of estrangement and reconciliation.
The film features a stellar ensemble of Australian talent. Daniel Henshall (Snowtown, Mystery Road: Origin) portrays Joe, while Brenton Thwaites (Pirates of the Caribbean, Titans) takes on the role of Joe’s brother, Dan. Joe’s sister, Stella, is played by Kate Mulvany (The Twelve, Lambs of God), and her husband, Roger, is portrayed by Damon Herriman (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Mr Inbetween).
Celebrated French actress Agathe Rousselle (Titane) makes her English-language debut as Joe’s wife, Rita, while young actor Jonah Wren Phillips stars as their son, Angus. Rose Statham and Izzy Westlake play Joe’s twin daughters, Frank and Dolly.
Rounding out the family cast, Eloise Rothfield (Boy Swallows Universe) portrays Dan’s daughter, Mary, while Eugene Gilfedder (Babyteeth) and Kym Gyngell (The Artful Dodger) play Joe’s brothers, Gary and Murray, who drive down from Queensland for the family gathering.
The film introduces new characters as well, with Hugo Weaving (Love Me, The Lord of the Rings) playing Noel, a veteran inmate who becomes Joe’s ally in prison, helping him navigate the challenges posed by fellow prisoner Red, portrayed by Kieran Darcy-Smith (Mr Inbetween).
Music is a central element of How To Make Gravy, with cameo appearances from well-known Australian musicians, including rapper Adam Briggs, singer-songwriter Brendan Maclean, and rising rap artist Dallas Woods. Other musical talent featured includes Patience Hodgson, former lead singer of The Grates, and Zaachariaha Fielding of Electric Fields, who represented Australia in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
The film’s soundtrack is equally star-studded, led by original compositions from Meg Washington, including her recent single ‘The Hook’, which samples Petit Biscuit’s hit track ‘Sunset Lover’. Additional new tracks featured on the soundtrack include Beddy Rays’ ‘Red Hot Chrissy’, Electric Fields and The Prison Choir‘s ‘Dream On’, and Brendan Maclean and The Prison Choir‘s ‘Fine’.
Adapted for the screen by Meg Washington and Nick Waterman, who also directs, the film is produced by Waterman and Washington alongside Hamish Lewis and Schuyler Weiss, an Academy Award-nominated producer known for his work on Elvis. Commissioned by the Foxtel Group for BINGE, the project is supported by Screen Queensland, with Fifth Season managing international distribution. The executive producers include Michael Brooks for WBITVP, Susannah George, and Foxtel’s Alison Hurbert-Burns and Amanda Laing. The Foxtel Group’s Head of Scripted is Lana Greenhalgh.
