A bold new New Zealand drama is making its Australian debut tonight on Channel 9, with Madam bringing a fresh take on an unexpected business venture.
Starring well known Aussies Rachel Griffiths and Danielle Cormack, the series follows Mackenzie “Mack” Leigh (Griffiths), who turns personal betrayal into an opportunity by opening a brothel with a difference—one that empowers the workers.
From Nine:
Madam, the comedic drama starring Rachel Griffiths and Danielle Cormack premieres Tuesday, February 4, at 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Inspired by real events, this bold, 10-part series follows the turbulent life of Mackenzie “Mack” Leigh (Rachel Griffiths, Muriel’s Wedding, Six Feet Under), an American woman living in small-town New Zealand with her husband and their two sons.
What began as a visit to New Zealand turns into a permanent and rewarding stay for the family – until Mack uncovers a shocking secret: her husband Rob (Martin Henderson, Virgin River) has been seeing a prostitute. Despite the shock, Mack feels inspired by this revelation and decides to open a legal “feminist, ethical brothel” where women can revolutionise sex-for-sale by taking control of their lives, their work and their sexuality.
Over Rob’s objections, Mack goes ahead and recruits a colourful team of sex workers including Tui (Ariaña Osborne, Millie Lies Low), the woman Rob has been seeing. In the face of community outrage, Mack sets out to navigate the unique challenges and complexities of making a profit from operating a brothel that empowers the working girls, not their male clients, in a safe and new-style environment.
But the task grows increasingly difficult. And can Mack, the responsible new-age madam, solve the tensions between her family life and her controversial business?
The series also stars Quinn Ashton and Angus Stevens as Mack’s sons Toby and Noam, Rima Te Wiata (Sons and Daughters) and Robbie Magasiva (Wentworth).
Madam is based on the memoir by Antonia Murphy, scripted by Harry McNaughton and Shoshana McCallum, and directed by Kacie Anning and Madeleine Sami.
It is a co-production between Tavake and XYZ Films in association with Fifth Season, commissioned by Warner Bros. Discovery and TV3 (New Zealand).
I watched the first 20 minutes, then turned off. 😳
Janet Payne I only got 5 mins in
Terrie Cupitt not for me
Janet Payne I got to 10 mins and turned it off. My son said what is that crap your watching on TV.
Janet Payne me too.
Janet Payne same here
I agree rubbish
I hope it improves can’t deal with Rachel with an American accent
Sue Jacobi yeah I wasn’t impressed, was thinking it was going to be great.
Sue Jacobi and so unnecessary given it’s filmed in NZ!
Sue Jacobi why was it needed?
Sue Jacobi the accent kept coming and going. One minute I heard it, next it was gone. Don’t know why she even needed to have an accent.
Sue Jacobi That threw me as well ,Why do that? She is a Melbourne girl
Sue Jacobi Oh yes, what a turn off. Why?
It’s very slow start not sure if it’s going to be a hit a bit disappointing
Ridiculous and crude
Cheryl Dibello laye night viewing needed .
Not impressed and I usually love Rachel Griffiths.
Lynne Meads Agree did not like the show.
Two great stars but soo disappointing only watched it for 1/2 hr too slow
Fell flat after the hype.
Silly
Nope couldn’t stand it
Very slow getting into the story line which wasn’t that riveting so lost interest quickly
Watched the 1st show. Can’t say I loved it. Will see what next week is like.
Utter rubbish turned it off
Great script, great acting but I thought this true story happened in AU!
I watched it for Martin Henderson, the show was crap
Janet’s Crochet Is he in Virgin River?
Joy Lockett yes he is Jack on VR
Janet’s Crochet I thought it was. He’s marvellous. He was only on briefly last night. I hope he comes back from Auckland.
Loved first episode.. funny 😁
Rubbish
This show honestly looked that stupid
Erin Jullienne if the shoe fits wear it
Erin Jullienne yes i turned it off
It’s like watching a porno 😳
Rosie Nich
Watch it last night can’t wait for next week to see it
Absolute rubbish
I enjoyed it
Great show. Loved it.
Enjoyed the show!!
what was it like
Monica Heidrich shocked me don’t know if l’ll keep watching it showing a lot of sex l mean really going into it but l’m probably too old for these sort of shows 😃
Monica Heidrich crap don’t waste your time
Don Kendall oh ok not a good series then
Monica Heidrich nope rubbish mate,I’d rather watch paint dry
Don Kendall lol
i heard tanya n steve talk to rachel griffiths on tuesday morning on the radio n she was plugging the show
now i wonder if it will go for a second series lol
Monica Heidrich I doubt it
Great show i enjoyed it
I agree The show was slow at first and at times I had a Laugh!!
It was pretty bad
It was shit..
I won’t get that hour back.👎
Garbage freak show
I enjoyed, was funny!
I enjoyed it.
This show is boring and stupid
Loved it
Same producer as married without 👖 pants
I watched for the first half hour not impressed. It was a porn movie should not have been on free to air.
Juanita Barnes
Most boring show ever, it was utter rubbish, not funny at all, won’t be watching anymore of it
It’s a load of rubbish.
Really disappointed
Pass
I won’t watch anything with Martin Henderson
Kathryn Berryman my daughter is the same
Rubbish 🤑
It wasn’t bad but Rachel’s accent is terrible.
I started to watch it and lost interest
Very slow don’t think I’ll watch it again.
I was very disappointed turned off after 20 mins, won’t watch again.
I can’t understand why she starred in such a rank series , i feel it is an insult to her as she is a good actor.
We wonder why our kids are so messed up with shows like this being aired in these time slots – show is ridiculous try screening at 2am or not at all. Just trashie. Please no haters, this is just my opinion.
Trish Dickinson I agree trish im a mature bloke and i only watched the preview it was trash and put to air for desperados to enjoy 👍
Trish Dickinson i agree eith you
Trish Dickinson it was on at 9.00, children should be in bed , other teens can be regulated by parents, adults have a choice watch it or not.
Based on a True Story, as any new business owner knows it starts off slow but hopefully business picks Up ⬆️
DUD!!
A good show abit slow not a lot of action
I expected more a bit trashy
Turned it off after 30 minutes such crap
Boring boring boring not watching agian
Was good show
I enjoyed it
I watched it to. But won’t be again! Unfortunately! What was she thinking! 😦😦
Hi channel nine is going to down toilet with some shows like mfs
Rachel must of been desperate to take this load of rubbish on !
It’s just so bad on many levels !
Also not appropriate for this time slot !
I will not be watching again ! 🤨
as it is based on true story it should get better
Turned it off.
Sooo stupid and trashy
I thought it was pretty good and had some funny bits
Love it!❤️
Her accent was terrible & put me off
Waste of 10 mins of my life!
Hmmm. Not sure, yet. Will watch next episode and see. Was a bit bland, not that funny. The sexual scenes / references were disgusting, not necessary. I agree with other comment, no wonder our kids messed up. Where’s the censorship nowadays ? Non existent.
Didn’t like it poor acting and why on earth would you put her breaking a hens neck in the first episode
Soft porn?
I couldn’t get into it, but hopefully it gets better
I liked it
Started watching couldn’t get through it.
It is based on a true story
Load of rubbish.
Terrible
Deborah Turner
Found it slow but will watch second show hoping it improves
Elisha J Penney 😂
Turned it off after 20 minutes slow and boring
It’s about a woman running a brothel what did you idiots expect no sex scenes plus it’s a comedy based on a true story .