Fall Finales: Wellmania - Season One

Wellmania is the latest Aussie series to the streamers. Following Class of 07, Last King of the Cross and the epic Love Me on Binge.

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.

The series launched globally on Netflix late last month. Upcoming next month, Five Bedrooms returns for a fourth (maybe final) series while RFDS will finally commence filming its second season soon.

I'm not on the socials, so Celeste Barber is a little new to me. Old to me is Benjamin Law. The Family Law was an exceptional series on SBS.

Netflix has had a number of titles land recently. Look out for a post on the seriously unfunny, Unstable, along with the extremely fun Beef with Ali Wong and Steven Yeun.

So what is Wellmania? Other than eight, roughly thirty minute, locally produced family comedy. Liv Healy, a New York-based food writer with an unhealthy lifestyle, recently receives an opportunity that forces her to reevaluate her choices in her hometown of Sydney, Australia. 

Struggling with her previous habits, she tries various methods of healthy living in order to advance her career to varying levels of success.

Spoiler alerts AHEAD!!!

After a trip to the hospital, Liv scrambles to get to New York City in time for her launch over her family's protestations. Gaz and Dalbert's wedding reception is a smashing success due to Liv's sense of fun. 

Dalbert really is a drip, but played by super hot Remy Hii. While Gaz is returning Aussie Lachlan Buchanan from series like Station 19.

Liv arrives back in New York in time for the launch, but she is thrown off by a panic attack when she can't find her late father's watch. A frantic phone call to Dr. Singh reminds Liv of the tremendous progress she made in a matter of weeks. 

Back in Sydney, Lorraine is struck by a car and Gaz attempts to contact Liv from the hospital. Liv ignores Gaz's phone calls as she walks onto the set of her TV show and proclaims, "I'm well."

So I totally reckon a second season will be on the cards. Celeste Barber is a total local talent. So good, so on point, so many great pop culture, Aussie cultural references in this little Aussie success story. After Love Me succeed on the drama front, Wellmania is 100% the king (or queen) of Aussie comedy!