The Secret Life of Us (2001–2006)

Creators:

John Edwards, Amanda Higgs

Stars:

Deborah Mailman, David Tredinnick, Samuel Johnson

10 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Deborah Mailman	...	Kelly Lewis (88 episodes, 2001-2006)
David Tredinnick	...	Simon Trader (86 episodes, 2001-2005)
Samuel Johnson	...	Evan Wylde (72 episodes, 2001-2005)
Sibylla Budd	...	Gabrielle Kovich (66 episodes, 2001-2003)
Spencer McLaren	...	Richie Blake (64 episodes, 2001-2003)
Abi Tucker	...	Miranda Lang (56 episodes, 2001-2003)
Claudia Karvan	...	Dr. Alex Christensen (53 episodes, 2001-2003)
Michael Dorman	...	Christian Hayden (46 episodes, 2002-2005)
Damian de Montemas	...	Jason Kennedy (44 episodes, 2001-2002)

Storyline

---

Plot Keywords:

lesbian | australian | friendship | friend | homosexual | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

Network Ten Wikipedia

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 2002 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Nas Tajni Zivot

Filming Locations:

14A Acland St., St. Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel 4 Television Corporation, Network Ten, Optus Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (86 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Tom: What's that?
Evan Wylde: It's chicken guts.
Tom: Do you eat it?
Evan Wylde: No.
Ella: What's that?
Evan Wylde: It's chicken guts.
Ella: Do you eat it?
Evan Wylde: No.
Carmen: What's that?
Evan Wylde: Talk about family resemblance! It's chicken guts, and no, I don't eat it.

---

Connections

Referenced in Top Gear Australia: Road Trip of Dreams (2008)

---

Soundtracks

"Death Defy"
by Motor Ace

User Reviews

Mostly entertaining for the entire four series.

The Secret LIfe of Us looks at the intertwining lives of a number twenty-something guys and girls all living in a block of flats in the trendy Melbourne Bayside suburb of St Kilda. I liked the concept of TSLOU and the story plots and acting were very engaging early on. However, by the time Joel Edgerton's character Wil left in series 2, certain weak elements had entered the show and it appeared the writing was on the wall. However, series 3 held its own and the introduction of new characters in series 4 gave the series a freshness that it needed. Alexandra Schepisi Anna Torv , Stephen Curry and Brooke Harmon were just right for the final series.

I agree with a previous reviewer that Deborah Mailman's character Kelly failed to evolve and in my opinion her ingratiating busybody persona was irritating. The acting of Deborah Mailman was good, it was just that the character was not convincing and it was hard to believe that someone battling obesity could be central to the unfolding events of life in a block of flats peopled by cool young adults and the romantic focus of so many young males. Also, Sybilla Budd's character Gabrielle was rewarded with too much screen time and not enough interesting character development. Her acting grated a little and scenes with Claudia Karvan confirmed how good an actor Claudia is.

By comparison, characters played by Claudia Karvan, Abi Tucker, Joel Edgerton and Damien de Montemas grew and enriched each scenario. The character Evan Wylde was probably the one with the most potential and was indeed beautifully played by the terrific actor Samuel Johnson. But I just think the writers didn't quite know how he should relate to Claudia Karvin's Alex, and their relationship as flatmates and possible lovers never quite found its basis in believable exchanges and by the end was flagging. And when Spencer McClaren's character Ritchie made it through a life-changing crisis, it became difficult to give him much to work on after that. Even Abi Tucker's Miranda ran out of puff.

I know the show tried to cover many issues and this aspect has been criticised, but without issues in a drama, what's left? Just the minutiae of life - and we all know how interesting that is! 8/10