Wellmania
Genre
Creator
Writer
  • Benjamin Law
  • Belinda King
  • Romina Accurso
  • Rachel Laverty
  • Amy Stewart
  • Nick Coyle
Director
  • Erin White
  • Helena Brooks
Starring
CountryAustralia
Language
  • English
Num episodes8
Executive producer
  • Benjamin Law
  • Belinda King
  • Celeste Barber
  • Bree-Anne Sykes
  • Chris Oliver-Taylor
  • Warren Clarke
Location
Cinematography
  • Dan Freene
Runtime26-35 minutes
Company
NetworkNetflix
Released29 March 2023

Wellmania is an Australian comedy-drama television series co-created by Brigid Delaney and Benjamin Law for Netflix. Based on Delaney's memoir-reportage hybrid, Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness, it follows Liv Healy (Celeste Barber), a 39-year-old woman who struggles with a "major health crisis" as she tries various methods to reclaim her well-being.[1][2][3] The series launched globally on the streaming platform on 29 March 2023.[4][5][6]

Premise

Liv Healy, a New York-based food writer with an unhealthy lifestyle, gets an opportunity that forces her to reevaluate her choices in her hometown of Sydney, Australia. Struggling with her habits, she tries various methods of healthy living to advance her career, with varying levels of success.[7]

Cast

Main

Recurring

  • Leah Vandenberg as Dr. Priyanka Singh, consulate-approved physician
  • Anthony Phelan as Dr. Price, Lorraine's employer and physician
  • Guy Edmonds as Chad, United States consulate official
  • Billy Bate as Archie Henderson-Kwan, Amy and Doug's son
  • Kiera McAlister as Evie Henderson-Kwan, Amy and Doug's teenage daughter
  • Claire Lovering as Bianga, Dalbert's close friend
  • Nicole Shostak as Megan, Dalbert's close friend
  • Matthew Backer as Armand, Dalbert's close friend and a hairstylist

Guests

Production

Development

Netflix had ordered Wellmania, inspired by Brigid Delaney's novel, Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness, on 11 December 2021 for an eight-part half-hour series. Delaney and Benjamin Law were announced as co-creators, with Law serving as executive producer. Celeste Barber, Belinda King, Bree-Anne Sykes, in addition to Chris Oliver-Taylor and Warren Clarke from Fremantle, would also join Law as an executive producer. Additionally, Romina Accurso, Nick Coyle, and Amy Stewart were announced as series' writers.[1][2][3][8] On 23 March 2022, Erin White and Helena Brooks were unveiled as the series directors.[9][10] On 31 October 2023, Barber confirmed that the series had been canceled after one season.[11]

Casting

Upon series announcement on 11 December 2021, Celeste Barber was also announced to play the series' lead.[1] On 21 March 2022, it was revealed that JJ Fong, Genevieve Mooy, Lachlan Buchanan, Remy Hii, Alexander Hodge, Simone Kessell, Johnny Carr, and Virginie Laverdure would join Barber as the main cast of the series. Additionally, Miranda Otto, Leah Vandenberg, and Aden Young would also appear on undisclosed capacities.[7][9][10][12]

Filming

Principal photography of the series was announced on 11 December 2021, with Sydney unveiled as one of the shooting locations.[1][12] On 21 March 2022, Dan Freene was revealed as the cinematographer.[7][9]

Release

Wellmania premiered on Netflix on 29 March 2023.[4][5][6]

Marketing

The first trailer of the series was published on YouTube on 15 February 2023.[13]

Awards and nominations

See also

References

  1. ^ Andreeva, Nellie & Petski, Denise (11 December 2021). "Celeste Barber To Headline Australian Dramedy Series 'Wellmania' Ordered By Netflix". Deadline. Archived 28 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. ^ Slatter, Sean (12 December 2021). "Netflix orders dramedy 'Wellmania', starring Celeste Barber". IF Magazine. Archived 10 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Breaking News - Development Update: Monday, December 13 | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  4. ^ Netflix ANZ. "#Wellmania is WELL on its way! Here's your first look at Celeste Barber's Liv: A woman who ditches her "live fast, die young" life and leaps headfirst into wellness 💪 Launching March 29, 2023, only on Netflix.". No. 1613257058618318851.
  5. ^ Netflix ANZ (12 January 2023). "Wellmania is WELL on its way! Here's your first look at Celeste Barber's Liv, a woman who ditches her "live fast, die young" life and leaps headfirst into wellness 💪 launching March 29, 2023, only on Netflix."
  6. ^ Cant, Ash (12 January 2023). "Celeste Barber stuns in new photoshoot ahead of Netflix show". The New Daily. Archived 11 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Breaking News - Netflix Reveals First Look and Cast for Australian Comedy Drama Series "Wellmania" | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  8. ^ Ried, James (12 December 2021). "Celeste Barber scores lead role in new Netflix series". The New Daily. Archived 11 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  9. ^ Keast, Jackie (22 March 2022). "JJ Fong, Genevieve Mooy, Lachlan Buchanan, Remy Hii join Celeste Barber in 'Wellmania'". IF Magazine. Archived 10 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Netflix Reveals First Look And Cast For Australian Comedy Drama Series 'Wellmania'". Netflix. Archived 11 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  11. ^ Swift, Andy (31 October 2023). "Wellmania Cancelled at Netflix After One Season, Star Celeste Barber Reveals: 'This Industry Is Kind of Bulls–t'". TVLine. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  12. ^ Moore, Kasey & Asatryan, Tigran (14 October 2022). "'Wellmania' Netflix Series: Everything We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. Archived 11 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Video: "Wellmania" - Official Trailer - Netflix | TheFutonCritic.com". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  14. ^ Knox, David (19 June 2023). "Logie Awards 2023: nominees". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 July 2023.