Total Control is an Australian television political drama series first screened on ABC TV in October 2019. Its working title was Black Bitch, but that was deemed too controversial and the series was renamed. Season 2 began airing on 7 November 2021. On 31 August 2022, a third season was announced by Screen Australia production for the third and final series was announced on May 31, 2023.
Synopsis
Rachel Anderson is the embattled but cunning Prime Minister of Australia. Alex is a charismatic Indigenous woman who finds herself the centre of media attention following her admirable actions in a high-risk situation. Rachel wants to use Alex to boost her popularity and further her own agenda, and recruits her as a senator.
The government in the series appears to represent the Liberal-National coalition, with various factions and other parties mimicking current ones in Australia. There are several storylines and characters, including Alex's son, her mother, an ex-lover and rival clans in Winton, Queensland, her activist brother in the city, various other players in the Canberra political and office sphere, and a young woman who has escaped youth detention with some footage which could severely damage the government, or in particular the right-wing faction.
Cast and characters
Main Cast
Deborah Mailman as Alexandra "Alex" Irving, Coalition Senator for Queensland (Series 1) and now independent MP for the seat of Freeman, Queensland (Series 2). Rachel Griffiths as Rachel Anderson, the Prime Minister of Australia (Series 1) and now independent MP for the seat of North Sydney, New South Wales (Series 2). Harry Richardson as Jonathan Cosgrove, former staffer in the Prime Minister's Office and chief advisor to Senator Irving (Series 1). Rob Collins as Charlie Irving, Alex's brother who worked as a university lecturer in Sydney (Series 1) and who now heads up Alex's campaign for the seat of Freeman (Series 2). Anthony Hayes as Damian Bauer, Minister for Immigration (Series 1) and now the Prime Minister of Australia (Series 2). William McInnes as Laurie Martin, Leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition (Series 1 and 2). Huw Higginson as Peter Solomon, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. Wesley Patten as Eddie Irving, Alex's son. Series 1
Trisha Morton-Thomas as Jan Irving, Alex's mother
Aaron Pedersen as Tom Campbell Jnr., a friend and former flame of Alex. David Roberts as Kevin Cartwright, Minister for Indigenous Affairs Val Weldon as Marcie Maclean, an inmate at the Macauley Detention Centre who is killed by a guard Shantae Barnes Cowan as Jess Clarke, an inmate at the Macauley Detention Centre who escapes after her friend is killed Celia Ireland as Tracey Helliar James Sweeny as Christopher Bingham Adele Perovic as Jillian Morell Tony Barry as Phillip Anderson, Rachel's father Rebecca Massey as Sharon, a Child and Youth Protection Services worker in Canberra Luke Carroll as Rob, a member of Alex's extended family. Fran Kelly as herself. Patricia Karvelas as herself.
Series 2
Wayne Blair as Paul Murphy, Laurie Martin's 'offsider' who has ambitions of becoming the first Indigenous Prime Minister of Australia. Hamish MacDonald as himself. Colin Friels as Jack Ramsay, the incumbent Coalition MP for the seat of Freeman, Queensland. Jason King as Scott McNally, the Labor candidate for the seat of Freeman, Queensland. Angela Fitzpatrick as Gloria Vincent, the independent Christian candidate for the seat of Freeman, Queensland. Tasneem Roc as Mima Scott, the Coalition candidate for the seat of North Sydney, New South Wales. Tom Dawson as Henry Whittacker, a political staffer in Prime Minister Bauer's media office who has been engaged in an racially-motivated hate campaign against Alex under the pseudonym 'Bait15'.
Episodes
Series overview
Series 1 (2019)
Series 2 (2021)
Production
The working title of the series was Black Bitch; however, it was changed after complaints that the title was a racial slur. The first season was written by Stuart Page, Angela Betzien, Pip Karmel and directed by Rachel Perkins. It was produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films with Rachel Griffiths, Kelrick Martin and Sally Riley as executive producers. The six-part first season was filmed in Canberra, Sydney and Winton in Central West Queensland. New music was written and recorded by Missy Higgins and featured in the series.
Season 2 was directed by Wayne Blair, while writing credits include Stuart Page, Larissa Behrendt, Angela Betzien, Pip Karmel and Nakkiah Lui. Some scenes were filmed on location in Parliament House, Canberra as well as Sydney and Broken Hill.