This article is about the 2016 Australian series. For the 1999 American series, see Family Law (American TV series). For the 2019 Canadian series, see Family Law (Canadian TV series).
The Family Law
GenreSitcom
Comedy drama
CreatorBenjamin Law
Writer
Director
Starring
ComposerJoff Bush
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Num series3
Num episodes18
Executive producer
Producer
  • Julie Eckersley
  • Sophie Miller
CinematographyEric Murray Lui
CameraMulti-camera
Runtime22–23 minutes
CompanyMatchbox Pictures
ChannelSBS
First aired14 January 2016
Last aired12 January 2019

The Family Law is an Australian comedy television program created by Benjamin Law. The six-part series, loosely adapted from Law's 2010 book of the same name, was written by Law and Marieke Hardy. The series was produced by Matchbox Pictures and screened on SBS from 14 January 2016. A second season of the show premiered on 15 June 2017. The third and final season of the show aired on 12 January 2019.[1] The show streams on Hulu in the US.[2]

Plot

The series follows the dysfunctional world of a Chinese-Australian family through the eyes of 14-year-old Benjamin Law. It is set on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, but filmed in Sunnybank Brisbane, over a long, hot summer the family will never forget. The family consists of Benjamin Law, eldest sister Candy, older brother Andrew, younger sisters Tammy and Michelle and parents Jenny and Danny.[3]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

Reception and ratings

During the run of its first series The Family Law averaged a national audience of 417,000. It was also the highest viewed program on SBS On Demand throughout the series.[4][5]

The program attracted an audience of 1.1 million views for its exclusive Facebook premiere of its first episode days before it aired on television.[6][7]

Critical reception

The program has received positive reviews from critics.

One critic from Daily Review Australia said "the core challenge is making a captivating comedy series about normal people living normal lives. The Family Law gives it a good crack, and has an amiable quality that many viewers will find endearing."[8]

Another critic from The Guardian said "there’s so much detail, warmth and gentle humour to the script, direction and production design that the characters and settings are relatable for anyone who grew up – or is growing up – in Australia." She gave the program 4 out of 5 stars.[9]

Awards and accolades

Awards and accolades for The Family Law
YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
20166th AACTA AwardsAACTA Award for Best Television Comedy SeriesThe Family Law
AACTA Award for Best Comedy PerformanceFiona Choi
2017Australian Directors Guild AwardsBest Direction in a TV or SVOD Comedy ProgramJonathan Brough (episode: "Queensland's Got Talent")

References

  1. ^ "Watch The Family Law, based on the best-selling book by Benjamin Law". Programs. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  2. ^ "The Family Law | Series Trailer | Hulu", retrieved 2022-04-07
  3. ^ "Cameras roll on The Family Law". 14 May 2015.
  4. ^ "The Family Law Season 2 | Matchbox Pictures". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  5. ^ "SBS commissions second season of 'The Family Law' - IF Magazine". If.com.au. 2016-06-27. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  6. ^ "Facebook premiere of The Family Law receives 1.1m views - AdNews". Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Benjamin Law's 'The Family Law' Will Be Back On SBS With 2nd Season In 2017 - Pedestrian TV". 27 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  8. ^ "The Family Law TV review (SBS) - Daily Review: Film, stage and music reviews, interviews and more.". dailyreview.com.au. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  9. ^ Lee, Nicole (15 January 2016). "The Family Law review: a loving and gently funny Australian family drama". the Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2018.