TV Review: Redfern Now

UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING

When it’s a struggle to pick the most outstanding out of a batch of stellar stories, you know you’re onto a good thing.

"This second installment of the anthology series has been nothing short of outstanding."

Such is the welcome dilemma of Redfern Now. Building on the emotional powder keg of six initial episodes, this second installment of the anthology series - with established characters and new - has been nothing short of outstanding.

Ernie Dingo features in the Season 2 finale

It’s been said before but though it’s a drama based on an urban indigenous society too rarely seen in a more balanced light until recently, the situations and issues Redfern Now presents are relevant universally on a very human level. 

Grief of sudden death, middle-aged love against adversity, domestic violence, a new mother’s newborn anguish, the reverberating pain of abandonment, gambling addiction. All are treated unflinchingly with dashes of welcome humour artfully in the mix.

But make no mistake, this is uncompromising Australian drama – this week’s finale featuring Ernie Dingo in a fierce neighbourhood conflict is sure to pack an emotional punch.

Here’s hoping Aunty commissions Season 3. 

The Season 2 finale of Redfern Now airs tonight at 8.30pm (AEST) on ABC1 and you can catch up on previous episodes on iview.