Lucky’s just like me if I hadn’t got so lucky ...and written a musical
As Upright returns for A new season, comedian, writer And composer tim minchin tells Gemma Dunn what we can expect
When Tim Minchin announced a second series of his hit show Upright, fans rejoiced.
The first run of the comedydrama, which was met by critical acclaim three years ago, told the story of two unlikely companions in washed-up rock star Lucky and misfit teen Meg (played by Tim and house of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock) as they happen upon each other in the Australian desert.
Fast forward to today and the latest chapter in the eight-part series sees the duo reunite, only this time they trade the dusty habitat for the steamy tropics of Far north Queensland as they hit the road – and the river – on a new mission.
“Season one was really about Lucky and going home to his mum,” explains 47-year-old Tim, who as well as starring in the Sky hit, serves as co-writer, composer and executive producer.
“It was the classic odd couple story in that they saved each other, but it was very much Lucky’s need that drove them. (Whereas) season two is Meg’s journey, and it’s Meg’s mission.
“For Meg, we’ve learned a lot about her tough upbringing, but there is still the question of where her mum is, and why she left her when she was a baby.” Cue another road trip, Lucky’s pink pyjamas in tow.
So what else can Tim tell us about the show?
Another season hasn’t always been on the cards – what changed your mind?
It wasn’t my intention to do a second season; season one sets itself up and resolves itself, but as soon as we came up with the idea (of looking for Meg’s mum) it was incredibly obvious. We realised that not only was there enough of an emotional story left to tell, but there was also plenty of impetus for another physical journey. It made absolute sense once I got my head around it, including that Meg would turn to Lucky for help. She needs someone to go on a grand adventure to find her mum, and there’s probably only one dude in her recent past who she could turn to.
Milly has gone on to great things since series one. How have you enjoyed reuniting?
Milly is suddenly queen of the dragons, but I really wrote the second season for her – even before she got house of the Dragon – as I was intent on seeing how far that kid can go. She’s so good. If you want to see how good, come and watch the show, because the range she has comedically and emotionally... hopefully some of those dragon lovers will come and see (Upright).
Where do we find Lucky this series?
We quickly learn that, despite his success, Lucky is still Lucky. he’s still hopeless and he’s not really coping with these new pressures in life. In writing the show, we decided we needed to get Lucky to a point of utter breakdown. It’s a journey out of urban centres, out into the rain forest, up a river, into the heart of darkness. It’s really, really bonkers – worse than season one.
Do you see any of yourself in Lucky, having written the character?
I’ve always thought Lucky is like me, if I hadn’t got so lucky. Lucky had my life as in Perth, middle class, hockey player, except we killed his dad. But Lucky was built on me. But he’s not like me, because whereas I got lucky with a cabaret show and wrote a children’s musical, he [got his] brother’s wife pregnant. So I mean, he’s not like me. he’s a grump. And he’s quite damaged.
Can we expect Lucky and Meg to meet all kinds of people on their road trip?
One of the strengths of Upright is that all the writers believe that the characters don’t have to be tropes that pay off the way that one might expect them to.
The places we go and the types of people we meet on the road in the middle of Far north Queensland are all sorts of people with all sorts of ideas. We’re not just travelling north and coming across the same old stereotypes.
Are you involved in more action sequences this time around? There’s some pretty fun stuff. We blow something up, we steal another car, but I spent two whole episodes in a small pair of pink pyjamas. I just can’t believe I let that happen. It’s ridiculous. That’s the cult uniform.
I get very naked again. I think it might be my last proper nude shot; I had to work very hard to get back into shape, but I don’t think I’ll do that again. But, you know, you’ve got to give the audience what it wants – and a reasonably fit, middle-aged ginger guy is all audiences want. It’s perfect.
He’s not like me. He’s a grump. And he’s quite damaged.
Upright was a hit across the globe. Why do you think it spoke to fans?
I think Upright had an impact because it’s a little bit different. It still had a real sense of Australianness and an Australian sense of humour and some of the wellestablished traditions of a road movie, but it was also unique in its tone.
It’s not just a comedy and it’s not just a drama, but at the same time it’s very much a comedy and a drama. It’s a balancing act we do to make sure that we can get people laughing and crying, sometimes within the same minute.
Tim Minchin on character Lucky
How would you define it for new audiences?
It is a very bombastic show and it’s very entertaining, but very heartfelt. It also has big Australian grandeur and rollicking adventure.
But in the end, the story is about tiny things. It’s stuff that we all go through – the loss of an elderly loved one and our desire to be at home, the dramas of family and the normal everyday traumas of everyday people.
Upright series 2 lands on Sky Comedy streaming service Now on Tuesday