Nowhere Boys

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For the 2009 British biopic, see Nowhere Boy.
Nowhere Boys
Genre Adventure
Fantasy
Created by Tony Ayres
Written by Craig Irvin
Rhys Graham
Roger Monk
Elise McCredie
Polly Staniford
Shanti Gudgeon
Directed by Daina Reid
Peter Carstairs
Alister Grierso
Craig Irvin
Starring Dougie Baldwin
Joel Lok
Rahart Sadiqzai
Matthew Testro
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s) Michael McMahon
Helen Panckhurst
Producer(s) Tony Ayres
Beth Frey
Location(s) Melbourne, Victoria
Running time 26 minutes
Production company(s) Matchbox Pictures
Broadcast
Original channel ABC3
Original run 7 November 2013 (2013-11-07) – 30 January 2014 (2014-01-30)
External links
Website

Nowhere Boys is an Australian teen-oriented television fantasy drama created by Tony Ayres. The thirteen-part series was first broadcast on ABC3 on 7 November 2013. It follows the adventures of four mismatched teenage boys who return from a school trip to discover they have come back to an alternate world where they no longer exist.

Plot

Set in the fictional suburb of Bremin, the series follows four mismatched year ten students—goth Felix Ferne (Dougie Baldwin), nerd Andy Lau (Joel Lok), golden child Sam Conte (Rahart Sadiqzai) and alpha jock Jake Riles (Matthew Testro)—who would never be friends. The boys are unwillingly grouped together during a school orienteering excursion in the forest and get lost. After they spend a terrifying night in the forest, they return to Bremin and discover that they have come back to an alternate world where they were never born. Nobody, including their family and friends recognise who they are, and all public records of them have vanished. When Felix comes into possession of a magical talisman through the local magic shop owner Phoebe (Michala Banas), the boys use the talisman to ward off a demon that is trying to kill them. However, as the demon grows more powerful, it gains the power to possess both humans and animals. The boys are forced to work together to protect themselves against the demon, find out what happened to them and how they can return home. The boys later discover that Felix was the one who got them there. The final episode shows them fighting a creepy tornado (the spirit of Phoebe's sister Alice who was the demon).[1]

Production

Development

On 26 October 2011, it was announced that Matchbox Pictures and producers of The Slap were developing a thirteen-part youth-oriented drama series for the ABC called The Lost Boys.[2] However, due to copyright reasons, the show's name was later changed to Nowhere Boys.[3] The series creator Tony Ayres conceived the idea for Nowhere Boys after learning that the ABC, which had already enjoyed success with Dance Academy, was looking for a new series that would appeal to boys.[2][4] Ayres developed Nowhere Boys with a range of writers, including Roger Monk and Craig Irvin.[4] He became the show's producer and showrunner alongside Beth Frey, while Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst serve as the executive producers.[4][5]

Nowhere Boys was financed with the assistance of the Australian Children's Television Foundation, Film Victoria, ABC3 and Screen Australia.[6] Filming for the series began in April 2013 in Melbourne, Victoria.[7] The first episode was filmed at the primary school and Were Street in Montmorency, Victoria, as well as the skate park and high school in Greensborough, Victoria.[8] The first four episodes premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August.[9] Nowhere Boys began airing on ABC3 from 7 November.[9]

Casting

In April 2013, it was announced that Joel Lok, Dougie Baldwin, Rahart Sadiqzai and Matthew Testro were cast as the four teenage boys.[3] Lok portrays Andy, a geek of Singaporean descent who loves science.[4][8] Ayres, who previously worked with Lok on The Home Song Stories (2007), revealed that he had him in mind for the role of Andy.[4] Testro plays alpha jock Jake and Sadiqzai plays the skater boy Sam.[8][10] Testro said that he and Sadiqzai both auditioned six times for the roles of Jake and Sam.[4] Baldwin stars as Felix, a Goth who has an interest in magic.[4] Sean Rees-Wemyss was cast as Felix's younger brother Oscar, a social outcast who is bullied at school.[11] Rees-Wemyss revealed that he initially auditioned for the role of Felix but the directors felt he was too young for the part.[11] Tamala Shelton plays Sam's popular girlfriend Mia and Michala Banas plays the mysterious magic shop owner Phoebe.[4][12] Libby Tanner and Damien Richardson were cast as Jake's parents Sarah and Gary, and Heidi Arena was cast as Felix's mother Kathy.[12][13]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Dougie Baldwin as Felix
  • Joel Lok as Andy
  • Rahart Sadiqzai as Sam
  • Matthew Testro as Jake

Supporting

  • Darci McDonald as Ellen
  • Michala Banas as Phoebe
  • Nicholas Coghlan as Mr. Bates
  • Tamala Shelton as Mia
  • Sean Rees-Wemyss as Oscar
  • Libby Tanner as Sarah
  • Zelman Cressey Gladwin as Dylan
  • Logan Phillips as Trent
  • Damien Richardson as Gary

Episodes

No. in
series		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 "Episode One" Daina ReidRoger Monk7 November 2013 (2013-11-07)[14]
2 "Episode Two" Daina ReidRhys Graham14 November 2013 (2013-11-14)[14]
3 "Episode Three" Daina ReidCraig Irvin21 November 2013 (2013-11-21)[14]
4 "Episode Four" Daina ReidRhys Graham28 November 2013 (2013-11-28)[14]
5 "Episode Five" Peter CarstairsCraig Irvin5 December 2013 (2013-12-05)[14]
6 "Episode Six" Peter CarstairsElise McCredie12 December 2013 (2013-12-12)[14]
7 "Episode Seven" Peter CarstairsPolly Staniford19 December 2013 (2013-12-19)[14]
8 "Episode Eight" Craig IrvinShanti Gudgeon26 December 2013 (2013-12-26)[14]
9 "Episode Nine" Craig IrvinRoger Monk2 January 2014 (2014-01-02)[14]
10 "Episode Ten" Craig IrvinCraig Irvin9 January 2014 (2014-01-09)[14]
11 "Episode Eleven" Alister GriersonShanti Gudgeon16 January 2014 (2014-01-16)[14]
12 "Episode Twelve" Alister GriersonRoger Monk23 January 2014 (2014-01-23)[14]
13 "Episode Thirteen" Alister GriersonRoger Monk30 January 2014 (2014-01-30)[14]

Reception

At the 2014 AACTA Awards, Nowhere Boys won the Best Children's Television Series accolade,[15] and were nominated for Best Original Music Score in Television for episode one.[16]

Critical reception

David Knox of TV Tonight awarded Nowhere Boys 3.5 out of 5 stars and stated that the series "is so well produced and performed."[17] Knox went on to say that "it's great to see a fully-fledged ABC3 production with male leads" following "a number of female-skewed projects" such as Dance Academy and Dead Gorgeous.[17] He concluded, "Nowhere Boys hits its mark from the outset with a clever mix of drama and mystery."[17] Rebecca Marshall of the Sunshine Coast Daily noted that the series features "a fascinating mix of fantasy, mystery, dark magic and drama" and commended "ABC for opening up opportunities for new-generation actors to hone their skills."[18] The Sydney Morning Herald's Melinda Houston awarded Nowhere Boys 3 out of 4 stars and praised the "great talent behind the camera" which "gives the young actors plenty to work with."[19] She concluded, "The result is bound to please its target audience and many more."[19]

Myke Bartlett of The Weekly Review praised the script as "fast enough and funny enough to keep the kids hooked, with degrees of cleverness and subtlety likely to please a more mature palate."[20] Bartlett concluded his review by stating that viewers finally have "a reason to watch ABC3."[20] Luke Buckmaster of Crikey stated that after viewing the first four episodes, "both grown-ups and adolescents will find it addictive viewing."[21] He also added, "it's good stuff: pacey and addictive yoof-tainment with snazzy packaging and a compelling 'what if' existential premise."[21] News.com.au's Dianne Butler wrote that she enjoyed watching the first episode and described it as "funny and kind of disturbing."[22]

Other media

Nowhere Boys was released on DVD in Australia on 5 February 2014, six days after the final episode aired on television.[23]

Online game

Nowhere Boys: The 5th Boy is an interactive online game that coincides with the television series.[24] It was created by Melbourne based online developers Millipede and released on the ABC3 website on 7 November 2013.[9][10] The game allows the player to take on the persona of a fifth "nowhere boy", who is lost in a strange world and has to try and find his way home.[24] The platforms in Nowhere Boys: The 5th Boy have been intertwined to give the player the feeling that they are directly in control of the direction of the television series.[24] For example, when the player passes objects through the dimensions in the game, the object will appear in the show.[24] These objects help the Nowhere Boys on their mission and are often key to their survival.[24]

References

  1. ↑ "TV Program – Nowhere Boys". ABC3. Retrieved 13 January 2014. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Knox, David (26 October 2011). "Slap producers turn to youth drama". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Knox, David (5 April 2013). "Cameras roll on Nowhere Boys". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Enker, Debi (31 October 2013). "Quest to survive a zone unknown". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  5. ↑ "Nowhere Boys". Australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  6. ↑ "Television News" (PDF) (127). Australian Children's Television Foundation. November 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  7. ↑ Nash, Cara (10 April 2013). "Matchbox Pictures' New series 'Nowhere Boys' Starts Shooting". FilmInk. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Mitchell, Joely (7 November 2013). "Our Pick – Nowhere Boys". Truth 4 Youth. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Matchbox Pictures' Nowhere Boys Hits TV Screens From November 7 on ABC3". If.com.au. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Entertainment – Nowhere Boys". Girl.com.au. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Bull, Erin (28 November 2013). "Sean gets lost in Nowhere Boys". St Michael's Grammar School. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Nicki (17 December 2013). "Lose Yourself in Nowhere Boys". Tvweakness.wordpress.com. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  13. ↑ "Nowhere Boys: Cast". Australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 14.9 14.10 14.11 14.12 "Nowhere Boys: Episode Guide". Australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 11 January 2014. 
  15. ↑ Knox, David (29 January 2014). "Nowhere Boys, Top of the Lake, Hamish & Andy in early AACTA Award wins". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 January 2014. 
  16. ↑ Knox, David (4 December 2013). "AACTA Awards 2014: Nominations". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Knox, David (2 November 2013). "Review: Nowhere Boys". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  18. ↑ Marshall, Rebecca (9 December 2013). "Let's give Nowhere Boys a round of applause". Sunshine Coast Daily (APN News & Media). Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Houston, Melinda (3 November 2013). "Critic's choice". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 13 January 2014. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Bartlett, Myke (1 November 2013). "Under the Radar – Nowhere Boys". The Weekly Review. Metro Media Publishing. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Buckmaster, Luke (1 August 2013). "Nowhere Boys TV Review: ABC3's addictive new Australian program". Crikey. Private Media. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  22. ↑ Butler, Dianne (7 November 2013). "TV Picks: Nowhere Boys and Grand Designs Australia recommended". news.com.au (News Limited). Retrieved 13 January 2014. 
  23. ↑ "Nowhere Boys, Series 1". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Johnson, Aidan (23 October 2013). "News: Nowhere Boys Coming Soon to ABC3". Popculture-y.com. Retrieved 12 January 2014. 

External links

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