Aussie TV’s Second Wave: Down under is serving up must-watch television once again

We all grew up glued to Aussie TV—The Sullivans, Sons & Daughters, Neighbours, Prisoner Cell Block H, Home & Away. But when was the last time you binged something from down under? There’s something about Australian humour that resonates with Scottish audiences—both share that dry, self-deprecating wit, a love of poking fun at life’s absurdities, and a knack for finding laughter even when things get tough. With sharp humour, heartfelt storytelling, and addictive drama, Australia’s latest shows are too good to miss. Here are our top picks you’ll love.

Bump

If you watch one show this year, make it Bump. I laughed, I cried… I binged 50 episodes in a week and now I’m grieving the loss of these incredibly written and acted characters. Bump kicks off with high-achieving teen Oly’s surprise pregnancy, but it quickly evolves into something much deeper—messy family dynamics, evolving friendships, and the chaos of unexpected parenthood.

Set against Sydney’s sun-dappled backdrop, Bump brims with warmth and whip-smart dialogue. There’s a raw honesty to the relationships—particularly Oly’s parents, played to perfection by Claudia Karvan and Angus Sampson—that’ll have you giggling one minute and wiping away a tear the next. This is where Aussie TV excels: even when tackling life’s toughest moments, there’s an undercurrent of humour that keeps things light without losing depth.

You’ll fall hard for these characters—and when the final episode ends, don’t say I didn’t warn you about the emotional void it leaves behind.

The Letdown

Motherhood: it’s not all baby giggles and pastel onesies. The Letdown perfectly captures the sleep-deprived haze of early parenting—but it’s the brilliantly dry, self-deprecating humour that makes it shine. Audrey stumbles through new mum life with a blend of awkward encounters (those parents’ groups are comedy gold), moments of despair, and laugh-out-loud missteps that feel all too real.

Yes, it tugs at the heartstrings, but The Letdown never wallows. It’s honest, hilarious, and packed with that uniquely Aussie ability to find humour in life’s messiest, most frustrating moments. Whether you’ve wrestled a pram onto public transport or just love sharp observational comedy, this one’s a must.

Five Bedrooms

Five strangers. One mortgage. What could go wrong? A lot—and that’s exactly what makes Five Bedrooms so entertaining. What starts as a drunken idea at a wedding turns into a house-share like no other, with personalities clashing, friendships forming, and romantic entanglements galore.

The series nails that Aussie comedic sensibility: quick-witted, a little irreverent, but always rooted in heart. As the housemates navigate everything from dating disasters to dodgy renovations, you’ll find yourself laughing at their antics one minute and genuinely touched by their bond the next. It’s feel-good TV at its finest.

Please Like Me

Josh Thomas’s Please Like Me is a masterclass in blending cringe humour with gut-punching emotion. Chronicling the highs and lows of your twenties—sexuality, mental health, complicated relationships—it’s refreshingly honest, often hilariously uncomfortable, and deeply moving.

That Aussie knack for finding humour in life’s bleakest corners is on full display here. One moment you’re laughing at a painfully awkward dinner scene, the next you’re blindsided by a moment of quiet poignancy. It’s quirky, clever, and utterly binge-worthy.

Ready to press play? If you’re stuck in a streaming rut, these series are your ticket out. There’s a reason Australian TV resonates with Scottish audiences—the stories are fresh, the humour is sharp, and the binge potential? Off the charts.a