Fisk (TV series)

Fisk is an Australian television comedy series on ABC Television, first airing on 17 March 2021. The second season aired in 2022, and the third premiered on 20 October 2024. Seasons 1 and 2 are also broadcast on Netflix and by other outlets around the world. The series is co-created and co-written by comedian Kitty Flanagan, and takes its name from its central character Helen Tudor-Fisk, played by Flanagan, who joins a small legal firm after returning to her hometown, Melbourne.

Premise

The series revolves around the life of lawyer Helen Tudor-Fisk, who leaves Sydney for Melbourne after her career and marriage fall apart. She then finds work at a small solicitors that specialises in probate law and wills. The firm, Gruber & Gruber, is run by siblings Ray and Roz, assisted by probate clerk/"webmaster" George.

In the third series, Tudor-Fisk is a partner in the rebranded Gruber & Fisk, while Roz is continuing with her career in mediation. Ray has a new romantic interest, Melissa, a fashion psychologist, while George is engaging in "side hustles" with his grandmother.

Cast

Main

Kitty Flanagan as Helen Tudor-Fisk
Marty Sheargold as Ray Gruber, a partner at the firm of Gruber & Gruber
Julia Zemiro as Roz Gruber, a partner at the firm of Gruber & Gruber who is suspended during the first series
Aaron Chen as George Chen, the probate clerk whom Helen often addresses as "Webmaster"
John Gaden as Anthony Fisk, Helen's father and retired Supreme Court judge
Glenn Butcher as Viktor, Anthony's husband and former "tipstaff" (law clerk)
Debra Lawrance as May, Helen's aunty (Season 1)
George Henare as Graham, May's husband (Season 1)
Gabrielle Chan (Season 3)

Guests

Alex Papps as Petro (2 episodes)
Alison Whyte as Ruth (1 episode)
Anne Edmonds as Anne (4 episodes)
Bert La Bonté as William G.H Ford (1 episode)
Bessie Holland as Fun Peggy (2 episodes)
Brett Climo as Sergeant McCabe (1 episode)
Broden Kelly as Simon Bramovich (1 episode)
Carl Barron as Murray (2 episodes)
Claudia Karvan as Vicki (1 episode)
Colette Mann as Mrs Popovitch / Irma (2 episodes)
Colin Lane as David Bunting (1 episode)
Daniela Farinacci as Gina (1 episode)
Danielle Walker as Gaynor (1 episode)
Dave O'Neil as Bob (3 episodes)
Deborah Kennedy as Edith (1 episode)
Denise Scott as Leslie (2 episodes)
Ed Kavalee as Blayden (1 episode)
Georgina Naidu as Alice Pike (2 episodes)
Geraldine Hickey as Gwen (2 episodes)
Gina Riley as Maureen MacIntyre (1 episode)
Glenn Ridge as MC (1 episode)
Glenn Robbins as Dean (3 episodes)
Jane Clifton as Jean (1 episode)
Justine Clarke as Melissa (3 episodes)
Libby Tanner as Annabelle (1 episode)
Linda Bull as Acapella SOS Choir / Tina (2 episodes)
Lucy Durack as Acapella SOS Choir (1 episode)
Marg Downey as Lindy (2 episodes)
Matt Okine as Theo (1 episode)
Mel Buttle as Nerida (1 episode)
Nath Valvo as Waiter (1 episode)
Rachael Maza as Bridget (1 episode)
Ray O'Leary as Casper (1 episode)
Rhys Nicholson as Leo / Male Assistant (2 episodes)
Richard Davies as Brandon (1 episode)
Rob Sitch as Ronald (1 episode)
Sam Campbell as Bubby (1 episode)
Sam Pang as Alex (1 episode)
Shane Bourne as Howard (3 episodes)
Stephen Curry as Nikolai (1 episode)
Tom Ballard as Stefan (2 episodes)

Production

Co-creator, co-writer, and star of the series, Kitty Flanagan, had trouble getting her idea for the series to air, as the main character was deemed too unlikeable. After having literary success with her 2019 book 488 Rules for Life: The Thankless Art of Being Correct, she realised that it was a rule book for her character, and may have been one of the reasons that ABC Television commissioned the series.

The first series was originally announced in late 2020 as Entitled. Filming took place in North Melbourne and other locations during the COVID-19 pandemic, with strict protocols on room density and proximity. Large groupings had to be avoided. In November 2021, it was announced that a second series had been commissioned by ABC (released 2022). In November 2023, it was announced that a third series had been commissioned by ABC (aired 2024).

All three series are co-created by Flanagan and Vincent Sheehan, co-written by Flanagan and her sister Penny Flanagan, and co-directed by Flanagan and Tom Peterson. Vincent Sheehan did not come back to write Season 3, however came back as a producer, along with Nicole Minchin.

Episodes

Series 1 (2021)

Series 2 (2022)

Series 3 (2024)

Broadcast

The first series went to air on ABC TV from 17 March 2021. The second series aired in 2022, and the third from 20 October 2024.

The first series has been streaming on Netflix since August 2023, and the second series since December 2023.

Since August 2023, series one and two can also be streamed on ITVX in the United Kingdom.

Reception

Critical reception

Kylie Northover of The Sydney Morning Herald gave the series debut 3.5 out of 5 stars. Luke Buckmaster in The Guardian gave the show 3 out of 5 stars, writing that the first episode was funnier than the rest.

Awards and nominations

In September 2021 Fisk won the Best Series Award in the comedies competition at Europe's largest TV festival, Series Mania, in Lille, France. It beat six other series chosen for the event, including the multi-Emmy-nominated series Hacks, from HBO.