Series Mania Melbourne 2021

Overview

Sometimes, the name says it all. That's certainly the case with Series Mania. This television festival's moniker sounds like humanity's reaction each and every time a new season of a TV show arrives on a streaming platform — and also aptly describes how we've all been spending the 18 months or so.

After first hitting Melbourne back in 2017 and making two repeat visits before the pandemic, Series Mania is returning again in 2021 from Thursday, October 14–Sunday, October 17. This time, like many things at the moment, it's jumping online. You've been streaming your way through much of your life lately, and now you can do the same with the only Australian leg of the world's biggest TV festival.

On the bill this year: four days of free sessions all dedicated to new and exciting television shows, including returning favourites and upcoming must-sees. Eleven series will have episodes available to stream via ACMI's digital platform Cinema 3, including the second season of Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths-starring drama Total Control; Netflix's Hellbound, the first live-action series from South Korean Train to Busan  and Peninsula director Yeon Sang-ho; L'Opera, which is set in a Parisian ballet company and stars The Lobster's Ariane Labed; and Aussie doomsday prepper comedy Preppers, as starring and co-written by Nakkiah Lui.

Watching along won't cost you a cent, but you do need to book in for each session in advance.