I love a good serial drama. When Aussie delight ‘Sisters' (review here) came out I binge-watched my little heart out. So I was really pleased to come across ‘Offspring‘ which also hails from the land down under. Even better was the fact that it has seven seasons available on Netflix.
Offspring centres around the Proudman family, in particular Nina Proudman who is played by Asher Keddie (Stateless). Nina is one of three grown-up children and an obstetrician. And while Nina is a thoroughly capable doctor, her social and love lives are an utter disaster. This sets up plenty of storylines for her disastrous relationships, including her failed marriage to a guy obsessed with blowing things up. Once he's out of the picture her focus turns to the new doctor. Love potentially blossoms but with one small teeny weeny hitch – he too is married but his wife upped and left a year earlier and he's still looking for her!
But more than just concentrating on Nine, Offspring gives plenty of attention to the other members of the family. Sister Billie is a complete mess of a woman who has decided that it's time for her to grow up as she embarks on a new career. Brother Jimmy is a hapless but lovable guy with little or no direction in life and between them, they make up the Proudman children.
Offspring is a quirky drama about a very dysfunctional family. There are some genuinely funny moments, mostly as a result of the fantasies that Nina plays out in her head. But, like any good solid drama, there are also some more serious moments. It's an engaging show that's well worth a watch but it can get irritating. Every single time something epic is about to be said or done a bloody phone rings. It appears that the go-to mode of interrupting every scene is a call that absolutely has to be answered. I mean, seriously, turn the phones off!
Is ‘Offspring' Worth Watching? (It's Available On Netflix)
If I had to compare it, I would say that it's a grittier Australian version of Jane The Virgin (review here).
It doesn't have the ludicrous plot lines but it is also narrated with plenty of air time given over to Nina's imagination – just like Jane!
And if you fancy more shows like Offspring, check out our list here.
Anonymous
These people need to grow up. Their drives are basic, their self control non-existent, their emotions drive their lives. They cheat, lie, and have sex with anyone. No wonder our society has gone to hell in a hand***.
Anonymous
Totally agree with you.
Pat officer
I am on season 6. Could Nina just live without a man??? Jimmy is a total loser. Grow up and take care of your family…may be hard to continue thru season 7.
Rob Halper
I loved seasons 1-5. They should have quit while they were ahead. I can barely watch the last two seasons, and usually can’t get through a whole episode. Nina is increasingly scattered and I find Billie, with her clipped speech and high anxiety, incredibly annoying. And it’s about time Nina disengages from her intrusive family.
Amal
I don’t remember enjoying a series more. It had me laughing, crying, upset, happy, it did a fabulous job of making you feel like you were part of the Proudmen clan. I was so sad to see it come to an end in season seven. I have recommended it to all of my friends and they all feel the same way. It’s a series that stays with you you become so engaged with each character for completely different reasons.Fabulous acting, great writing. I wish they would consider coming back for a season eight, nine, 10,…
Julie Watson
Yes, exactly!
Arlene Krucinski
Many times I thought I cannot watch another episode but I always watched. For me the character of Billie was so obnoxious a total narcissist I made and an attempt to FF her scenes.
Deborah
Totally agree! Haven’t enjoyed a series this much in a long time. More please…😁
Joan Rosselle
Where do they get all of the newborn babies? How do they film that so Nina is holding the baby right away?
Julie Malsin
The babies are not newborn. Much too big and plump.
Pat officer
How is it Nina delivers in her casual clothes, jewelry and knee boots, all without a spec of blood?
Judy
I absolutely loved Offspring and so sad to finish it. I loved all the characters. The show has really helped me through the pandemic.
Ellyn
What is the non-white population of Australia. ? & Why should it matter ? Are writers not allowed to create characters of their imagination & select a demographic that suits their story line ? A costume is a costume & we expect comedy to make us laugh. If it bothers you don’t watch !
Marvelous show !
Linda
The show is too slapstick for my taste. Humor isn’t very sophisticated. Seems very 1970’s . That being said, I probably will keep watching until it gets really ridiculous. The hospital and the running in and out seems way too much. Wish the characters, especially Nina, weren’t so frenetic.
Ren
One of the most engaging, normal, funny and sad at the same time, just simply most enjoyable shows in a long time. Excellent cast and story!
Super engaging. Enjoyed all seven seasons. Wish there were more.
Deserves the highest rating. Bravo!
Barbara
Please, please, please do a season 8, then 9, 10, 11….on and on and on! How will i live with my “Offspring” family??? 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Mary E. Herring
I would give it 100 smileys because of the wonderful relationship of the sisters. It so reminds me of my sister lost long ago from my life.
Maria
Love Offspring! Funny, clever humor. I love the accents and clothing! People who are offended watching then change the friggin channel!
Jimi maker
Great show, great cast.
I was born in Fitzroy & lived until I was 10. I recognised many of the houses & streets.. Brings back many of my memories of my youth. I was born in 1955.
The family portrayed in the series, is reminiscent of the many families living in Fitzroy in the 50/60s.
Debbie Dahl
I loved watching Offspring. I hope they do season 8.
I would rate this drama series a 9.0.
CARRIE FRIER
Debbie Dahl – I’m with you! They need to do a season 8!
Johanna
Overall I liked the unconventional family around which the series is narrated. There are two major flaws in my view:
1. the lack of serious attempts to make the hospital setting realistic. The people are dashing in and out of rooms where seriously ill babies are cared for, and the baby of Jimmy and Zara would have been dead within the first 24 hours without so much as gowns and serious protection from infection without wearing, masks and gloves on coming into the IC rooms to protect ill children and premature babies from bacteria and viruses.
2. the lack of diversity in a nation that has diversity and has a major Indigenous group in its nation, and there is only one character in the series with a vaguely-diverse appearance, the midwife Cherie. Then in a dress-up party for Nina’s 35th birthday, her brother who is by all appearances and white boy, dressed up in a Northern-American Indigenous costume complete with ceremonial headdress, a no-no and an insult to the Indigenous community. To have the accoutrements of its culture and the spiritual meaning of the vestments be downgraded as party wear is insulting and shows a lack of resect and understanding of diversity.
This is were I draw the line. The Aussies need to beef up on diversity and respect for other cultures.
Anonymous
I totally agree with the second point made here. A show like this should be more aware of the need to have a more diverse cast. I haven’t watched that far yet, but this bothers me about this show. Also, there are other issues in life besides relationships.
A
this is why people can’t make comedy shows anymore…people are too worried about offending and being offended and satisfying all the woke pc rhetoric instead of just enjoying some laughs together
Max
Stupid show. Characters are predictable, pathetic and not well developed. Neither is the story line. The only reason I stuck with it is I kept thinking there would be some redeeming factor.
If they were my family I’d have disowned them long ago. Nobody can keep a secret, and don’t know what boundaries are. Yeah it’s just TV. But don’t insult us by selling us on Nina who can’t finish a sentence but somehow got through Med school and became a successful doctor.
Angie
Oh my god here we go again. You are what is wrong with the world today!