RAKE

STARRING: Richard Roxburgh, Kate Box

There’s something just so fitting about everyone’s favourite barrister accidentally getting elected to the Senate. With all those other unhinged narcissists cruising the corridors—he’ll fit right in! This season picks up some months after the events of Season 4 ended with Cleaver (Roxburgh) off to Canberra to be sworn in on his “do nothing, say nothing” platform. Fastforward a year, and he’s bedded into his role with the help of trusted sidekick, now chief of staff, Nicole Vargas (Box), and his COMCAR driver, Jakub (Jacek Koman). But don’t expect smooth sailing—there are plenty of obstacles in his way, chief among them, right-wing senator Penny Evans (Jane Turner). She’s great, as is Anthony Lapaglia, who plays US Defence Secretary Linus Potemkin. Moving Rake to Canberra is genius— love this!

(Season 5 starts Sun., Aug. 19, 8.30 PM; ABC and iview) —Clare Rigden