The Secret Life of Us (2001–2006) User Reviews

Secret Life of a Cast.

[swordsnare · 7/10 · 6 July 2021]

Much of my review will touch on points that have already been stated. The first two seasons are good, but by the end of the third season much of the key cast were absent or only turning up for minor appearances. The formula that made the first two season enjoyable were lost in part by this.

Season Four introduces a whole new set of characters that seem so far removed from the first season and feels like Home and Away or Neighbours cast. I had this recollection again after watching this on Netflix recently as to why I stopped watching the show originally.

Rating for series 1, 2 and 3.

[alnewcastle1 · 8/10 · 17 July 2021]

I loved the first 3 series. Series 4 was a disappointment. It felt like a different show as most of the original characters were gone.

Mostly entertaining for the entire four series.

[Rupert17 · 8/10 · 26 August 2012]

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

One of my favorites - ever!

[foffster · 10/10 · 18 December 2006]

One of my favorite TV-shows - ever. It had everything from great actors and casting who just became more and more beautiful after you got to know the characters, terrific stories and a very nice pace.

To love the characters is always essential, and these were characters that made in impact in your own life - people you could relate to, even if they were from the other side of the globe (from me).

I would run home to catch the next episode of the series, and that, for a grown man to do, is kind of...eeh...special. And Claudia Karvan is the most beautiful actress from Australia I have ever seen!

I'm just sad it didn't continue longer than it did. GRRREAT!

One of the best Australian shows !

[pri_e · 17 August 2001]

Besides "Blue Heelers" and "All Saints", this is one of the best Australian shows I've ever seen. It is perfectly cast and the setting is just excellent, I love the storylines as they aren't just the usual - who slept with who ? the perfect jobs ? the perfect looks ? It keeps you entertained and alot of people find themselves relating to the characters or situations at some point. I love the friendship between Alex, Kelly and Evan, everyone wishes they had an Evan in their life. The 'marriage' between Gabrielle and Jason, Miranda and Richie's relationship and it's twist and turns. The overall cutie Will and his dilemmas with Sam and the memory of Leah. I just love this show, all have great talent

Brilliant

[nils_alenius · 10/10 · 8 August 2006]

Just bloody brilliant!! 'The secret life of us' is an experience on another level. The characters are not only believable and lovable, they make you angry, you cry, you scream out of happiness for their sake. The speed and complexity of the stories told makes you completely focused and unable to do or think of anything else besides what is happening on the screen. Once you've seen it you won't feel the same as you did before - you will be enriched. It felt like I lost a big part of my closest friends when the series ended. I miss them a lot! It's a bit like the British series "This Life" only more Australian. It's a definite 'must see'! If you see this one (The secret life of us) and also 'This life'(which, by the way, seems absolutely impossible to get hold of on DVD) I swear you will be a happier person! See it, love it, live it!

Started off an 8, ended up a 2

[chopperlilly · 7/10 · 27 August 2015]

Do yourself a huge favour and stop watching after the second series. But if you absolutely have to watch the third series don't even think about watching the fourth series. Unless you want your high opinion of this series RUINED. It honestly doesn't even feel like the same show.

Series four opens with the sudden realisation that almost ALL the main characters have left without ANY explanation whatsoever. They are just gone and never spoken of. Was there a mass firing of the actors or something? Did something so bad happen between the producers and the actors they wrote them out of the show and vowed never to speak their characters names again?

In the place of some of the more lovable characters is some of the worst characters who have ever appeared on TV. Let's take Nikki for example: I thought I could not hate anyone more than Gabrielle in Series 1 (I started liking her more in Series 2) - then came Nikki in Season 4. This is a character that is so awful it makes you want to shoot the TV screen. Her sidekick Lucy isn't so great either. Come to think of it, none of the new characters are very likable.

By the time you get a few episodes into season 4 one of the two lead characters (and also one of the two narrators) leaves the show. That's when you realise there's nothing left of this show. You continue watching, but only out of a very old Season 1 loyalty......

What I really loved about the earlier series is the realism - we had twenty somethings getting drunk, smoking pot and popping pills. I felt like I was back in London for a minute there. This is actually what people in large cities do.

What I didn't like was the occasional political preaching. One scene in particular I thought was blatantly an advert for pro-asylum seekers. Anyone who didn't agree with that was made to look ignorant and stupid. Hmm...I thought I was watching entertainment here, not listening to some self righteous university students giving a lecture.

Another con about this show was some of the really bad acting. Whilst a lot of the main characters were pretty good (Claudia Karvan, Samuel JOhnson) a lot of the side characters looked like they were trying to act in a school play. There must have been thousands of people auditioning for these parts - you couldn't find anyone who could act? Also I have to get this off my chest: EVAN GET BRACES ON YOUR TEETH! CROOKED TEETH ARE NOT SEXY OR MYSTERIOUS OR UNIQUE!

IN saying that I really, really enjoyed Season 1 and Season 2. I loved Claudia Karvan, Deborah Mailman, Michael Dorman and the actor who played Richie. And Vince Collisomo is one of the hottest actors ever on Australian television.

Not sure what any of these actors are up to these days, but it was good to see Michael Dorman back as the lead character in Wonderland.I'd love to see Claudia and Deborah again too.

I have given a 7 out of ten - 4 out of 5 for Series 1 & 2, 2 out of 3.5 for series 3 and 1 out of 3.5 for series 4.

Shame about the ending

[C-Diggety-Dawg · 6/10 · 13 December 2022]

I watched this somewhat sporadically when it was originally on network tv and remembered enjoying it so decided to revisit recently when I found it on Netflix.

I did not heed the advice of other reviewers to stop after the first two seasons and instead soldiered through all four, mostly just to see how they wrapped it up.

As mentioned by most reviewers, the first two seasons were great. Storylines revolve around a group of twenty-somethings from different walks of life making their way through life. There are flawed and even (sometimes) unlikeable characters navigating careers, relationships and their sexuality, stopping short of the unbelievable revolving door partner swapping that similar dramas often employ.

Unfortunately it starts to lose its way in the third season. Some mainstays from the first two seasons have now left with little explanation and they are never heard from or spoken about again. One character who spent most of the first season in perpetual angst after discovering her boyfriend is actually gay, seamlessly transitions into a gay relationship herself with virtually no explanation or self exploration. One of the main narrators finds herself in a badly overacted abusive relationship and none of her friends say a word about it. In spite of this, there were still some enjoyable moments to be had in this season.

The fourth season is mostly a train wreck. The bulk of the original cast has now disappeared with no explanation. The main narrator, who had spent the first three seasons as a shameless womaniser, inexplicably decides he loves one of his ex girlfriends (who had been portrayed as a bunny boiler crazy ex) and moved in with her in a different suburb. He and his housemate then say their farewells as though he is moving to a different country. He is then never mentioned again.

I get that the characters have to move on eventually to show growth and make room for new characters, but the way most of them were written out/disappeared is really just lazy writing. They must have known by halfway through the fourth season that the show was getting cancelled and it shows.

The essence of life in Australia's main cities

[tepanna · 19 April 2005]

I started watching this series when I lived in Sydney and enjoyed it for it's perky yet unsweetened style. I enjoyed the characters played by Claudia Karvan, Samuel Johnson, Deborah Mailman and Abi Tucker and the clever "diary reading" story telling style but most of all I enjoyed the way it portrayed the environment. :-)

Everyone knows it's never that hot in Melbourne ;-) but apart from that the series still captures the 'essence' of life as a 20-30-something in Australia's main cities.

I missed the series so much when I moved back to Sweden that I had to buy it on DVD, and whenever I miss my home away from home too much I watch an episode to get a hit of "stralianisms".

Enjoy!

This is my most favourite Australian Drama

[Gareth_Mohen · 6 October 2005]

This is a TV show that will speak for a generation for generations. The cast for the entire series was the most dynamic ensemble cast on Australian TV in recent times along with "Seachange". There have been negative comments about the fourth series because it had a rather different feel to the other series. Especially since Sam Johnson left the program. However the characters in this series were just as strong. Stephen Curry and Brooke Harman especially created most intriguing characters. In previous series Dan Spielman, Gigi Edgley, Vince Colossimo and Jessica Gower brought exceptional performances. And of course Deb Mailman, Sam Johnson and Claudia Karvan were the real appeal of the show. It is a pity that this show was axed in such an understated way in such a late time-slot. We have not since seen anything that matches this program come out of Australia but hopefully in the near future there will be something on the horizon.

Used to be a really good show

[erinlittlewood · 27 October 2004]

I really used to enjoy 'The Secret Life of Us', it was realistic. and the characters, were interesting, complex and likable, ( with the exception of 'Ritchie'). I loved the first series, but it slowly went down hill. When it came back at the beginning of 2004, I was devastated to discover that some of my favourite characters had disappeared. I felt ripped off. I stopped watching the show after that first night, these new characters were boring and annoying. Especially the young

character 'Brooke'. I wasn't at all surprised the show was axed, in fact I was pleased, I was irritated that they expected me to just forget and dismiss all the old characters, with no explanation of where they went, or at least what

happened to them...

An Infectious blend of love, lust, friendship, dreams, disappointments, humor and sadness combined with beautiful scenery and great music !!

[Michael_Grech · 1 September 2005]

There are many things that can be said about this fantastic show however if you saw if for the first time in its last 2 years of production then you can be excused for thinking that it was awful.

Although the show suffered an incredible demise during series 3 and never recovered, original viewers will always remember how sensational it was in the first two years. (2001-2002) In fact it was so good that it was bound to become worse because no show could continue to be that good while being so original and creative. I suppose all good things must come to an end and if the show had ended after series 2 then it would have left us viewers dying for more. The way it really ended during series 4 left us viewers yelling "Get it off !!" I can honestly say that I have never seen a show go from being so good to being so bad !! But remembering the first series, it was a show that any person in their 20's could relate to. It was an extremely realistic show which also had some great acting. Combine the infectious storyline, the great scenery (around St. Kilda and some of Melbourne's other more attractive locations) and not to mention... great home grown music and you have a great show. If you love Aussie music then this was definitely a show for you. Secret Life had a contract with Mushroom so we got to hear the best in Oz rock, both past and present !! We also got to hear Abi Tucker's great singing and Oh my god !! Who could ever forget Evan singing "Howzat" at the Fu Bar Karaoke night !!! What made it so special to me was that most of us could identify with every character in the show and as the series went on, the characters just grow on you. I will never forget in series 2, when Will (Joel Edgerton) left the show. It wasn't the same anymore. There was something missing. He was part of the original cast that made such a big impression on us. (Who could ever forget his heartache when he lost his lovely girlfriend Sam in a road accident) His departure was definitely the beginning of the shows demise as every original character except for Kelly & Simon, would soon jump off what was to become a sinking ship.

With the exception of Will's departure, series 2 was almost as good as series one. It continued with so many realistic situations that we could all relate to. Personally my favorite character was Jason, played by Damian De Montemas. In series one we saw him as a very confused man who was making a lot of mistakes and learning the hard way. Series two saw him trying to become more responsible after getting a girl pregnant. He committed himself to fatherhood and was extremely overjoyed after the birth of his son. He persevered with his relationship with a woman who was very difficult to get along with simply because he wanted to do the right thing and be a responsible father. But in the end it all caved in around him and nothing went his way. His absence in series three was a major disappointment for myself.

There was also the on-going Evan & Alex saga. The couple who seemed so perfect for each other but who always seemed to be victims of bad timing. I am actually amazed that the writers of the show never gave us viewers what we all really wanted which was of course to see them together in a relationship. Alex was to marry Rex who was played by Vince Colosimo. Although Vince Colosimo is a great actor, he was not suited to the show and his introduction was another step in the shows decline.

Despite the show losing its popularity, its later years did have some highlights. The introduction of Dan Speilman as "Tidy" was very good for the show although he only lasted one series and then he simply vanished like most others did in 2004. Stephen Curry was a great asset to the show in series 4 however by then it was too late. If he had been in the show in its earlier years, even if he was just a regular guest, he would have been a huge hit !! Also in the later years we got to know Simon (likeable Gay barman from Fu Bar) a lot better and his character was sensational.

There was however one character in the show that I could never understand. The character of Kelly, (played by Deborah Mailman and the shows longest serving character)never made a lot of sense. I am not sure what the writers of the show were thinking when they invented her. I must say she was good in the first series but after that her character never progressed in the same way that all the others did. It was the same story every series. She would just meet new guys and form relationships that would never last. Another thing that also did not make sense is that she is not an attractive woman yet in the show she got more interest from guys than all the other girls when some of the other girl were in fact stunners !! But overall the Secret Life Of Us will remain as one of my favorite all time shows. The first three series are available on DVD and I strongly urge anyone who has never seen the show to get your hands on it although I would just stick to the first two series and not bother with series three.

First class drama - Recommended for all

[lloydiwombatboy · 15 October 2005]

I first started watching SLOU on UK TV when it was billed as an Aussie version of the UK series 'This Life' (highly recommended, also). I was instantly hooked. Loved series 1. Was waiting for series on C4 in UK but it never seemed to come. In 2002 I caught the first showings of series 2 in Aus and was gutted that I could only see a couple of episodes. I waited even longer. Eventually, back in the UK, they showed series 2 - at 12:30 am!! What's going on?! Series 3 never aired in the UK, and I bought the DVDs and had them mailed from Aus. Bottom line is this - it's an excellent series that was poorly misrepresented in the UK. I just love to chat to Aussies about the show (before it turned poo in series 4) and will always recommend it to people. One of the best dramas and a great reminder of my time in Aus (and particularly St Kilda)

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent

[kixbooty · 13 April 2006]

I really can't stand to hear people bag this show out. It's fantastic, the writing is imaginative, the directing is great, and as far as the acting goes, it has some of the best performances I have ever seen from an Australian cast. If anybody knew anything about quality TV shows, they would not be able to find fault with this show.

I loved this show right from the beginning, the first episode is a 2 part telemovie that draws you in and leaves you begging for more. The 3 main characters that the show centres around are Kelly, Evan and Alex and the on screen chemistry between these three actors just jumps out of the screen, and leaves you feeling like you are actually friends with them.

Without a doubt, the first two seasons were pure gold. They were by far the best. The third season had promise, and some of the story lines were amazing, but as we lost several members of the main cast, the show lost its spark and by the fourth season it was nothing like the beginning.

The show was pretty much doomed after it lost Alex. She was the star of the show. Claudia Karvan is an amazing actress and I applaud her for staying with the show for as long as she did.

The relationships in the show are what made it so special. Alex and Evan, Miranda and Richie, Miranda and Will, Gabrielle and Alex, Gabrielle and Jason, Kelly and Nathan...they all brought out the best in each other, and supported each other in so many ways.

The downfall of the show came with the introduction of characters such as Nikki Martel and Lucy and Adam beckwith. Nikki was an appalling and badly written character. Anna Torv is a great actress, but she was wasted on a disaster like Nikki. Nikki's character was so pathetic, it made me turn off my set several times. Then you have Lucy Beckwith, the most boringcharacter ever written into a TV show. Any storyline with Lucy was justdismal and didn't give the spark that the previous characters had. Lucy's character was partly due to bad writing, and partly due to the average acting abilities of Alexandra Schepisi. Lucy could have been more interesting if Alexandra had got it right, but she didn't. At times, I would watch a scene with Lucy in it, and would feel embarrassed for Alexandra because her acting was just so transparent and unconvincing, that you just see her as pathetic. Adam Beckwith was not so bad, he had some redeeming qualities and was played well by Nicholas Coghlan, but once again, fell victim to appalling writing.

Then we have George. Gigi Edgely is without a doubt the worst Australian actress I have ever seen. George was a huge character, she could have been amazing, but she was played by an average actor. I would have liked to have seen Anna Torv play George, she could have pulled it off...but Gigi, there's no excuse for such dull performances, when you have such a vibrant and interesting character to work with. George was a huge disappointment for me.

Sticking with the original characters, this show is my favourite Australian show to this date, and I enjoyed watching it immensely.

five stars.

Fantastic antipodean drama/comedy

[WiseJoeyD · 3 September 2002]

This show is fantastic. Simple as that. I'm usually smiling like a fool during it it's that fun, and along with several acclaimed American series, is one of the best series' I've watched. It's just as good as Six Feet Under (though with less dead people, and ghosts!). In fact, it wouldn't be too dissimilar from a certain "Sex and the City". It contains the same sort of drama and humour (hopefully that didn't put anyone off!).

Set in Australia, it centres on 8 20-somethings who all live in the same apartment complex in St Kilda, Victoria. These are Jason [lawyer], Richie [actor], Will [brick layer], Miranda [actor], Gabrielle , Alex [Doc], Evan [writer]and Kelly [Events Co-ordinator]. Of this rag tag bunch of Aussies, the last two characters give insightful, and wry, commentaries concerning themselves and each other. And they do the usual things you'd expect. Fall in love with each other, bosses, flatmates, or other members of their sex, and make it funny and moving.

At first, it may take a while to understand who loves/fantasises about who and maybe the Aussie humour and drama may not be for everyone ("love it or hate it" as its most often been described) but honestly, it should grow on you, and if you already like lighthearted dramas, look out for this one (Hey, the Aussies can export more than just Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman).

Typical mediocre Aussie TV show, crammed with political/social issues that the writers think must be such clever PC propaganda.

[fedor8 · 25 January 2008]

There are so many problems with this over-polished, hugely unrealistic show...

First of all, the cast. The guy who plays Evan and the actress who plays his clandestine love (I forget the name...) are the only two solid actors, the rest are to the most part rank amateurs; in particular the woman who plays the big-nosed Gabrielle (Steffi Graf's little sister) comes off as a zombie almost, with only one facial expression on offer: that of a grinning-yet-annoyed fool.

Secondly, the political correctness. We have a bunch of goody-two-shoes PC morons with views that are textbook TV/movie propaganda garbage. The way they go about discussing women's rights, race relations, drugs issues, gay rights - and just about everything else - is so carefully worded, it almost comes off as a bunch of slogans one would expect to be created in the marketing departments of various left-wing parties and organizations, and not as the kind of natural, flowing dialogue that real people engage in. That TSLOU would be PC was to be expected; after all, every single Aussie show (and many movies) I've seen were heavily infested with that syrupy world-view (even worse than in the U.S.), but this serial takes it to ridiculous extremes; there is barely an episode in which someone - usually a woman (oh, how PC!) - doesn't make a detailed commentary on some political or social issue - in one breath. That makes TSLOU one of the preachiest TV series ever, making me wonder if the producers were more interested in promoting their political beliefs than actually entertaining the viewers with realistic characters. Hence I have to wonder who financed this crap in the first place...

One of the worst examples of this was when one of the male characters finds out (a little late in his life, perhaps?) that he actually might be gay. The plot that develops from there is high melodrama/camp of the most pathetic sort, verging on the unintentionally funny, one absurd plot twist following another.

The worst and most disgusting example of Marxist propaganda came in form of a casual dialogue in which Big-Nose and her ex discuss how wonderful Fidel Castro and his Cuba are. "Everyone there is so happy". Which Cuba are they referring to, the Neptunian Cuba? A typical example of spoilt, decadent, elitist Westerner writers day-dreaming about a genocidal political system, while justifying all its dictators every step of the way.

Another absurd character is the aborigine girl; her behaviour is often in sharp contradiction to what she said or did only episodes earlier. Bad writing, yet again.

The show could have been much better if some roles had been cast with better actors (nepotism?), and if there was more focus on interesting plot-lines rather than third-rate preaching for the masses...

This show lacks.

[vishy · 21 December 2005]

As consistent with almost every other Australian made production this show lacks, i'm pretty sure the writers wanted some senseful and mature scripts on exporing different aspects of life.. but hey as usual it leads into who pops whos cherry first and how many times.

Another poor show yet again, all about sex, it seems to me that, thats all life is about to the people who make these shows.

In addition the actors don't seem to be acting like they should. I mean when your girlfriend slept with another guy how can you just be relaxed about it? All the actors in the show don't really show an array of talent or emotional display, other than Evan at times.

Lacking.