Invisible Boys

Last updated

Invisible Boys
Invisible Boys Banner.jpg
Genre Drama
Created by Nicholas Verso
Based onInvisible Boys
by Holden Sheppard
Written by
  • Nicholas Verso
  • Allan Clarke
  • Holden Sheppard
  • Declan Greene
  • Enoch Mailangi
Directed byNicholas Verso
Starring
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • Donna Chang
  • Cailah Scobie
Producers
  • Nicholas Verso
  • Tania Chambers
Production companies
  • Asphodel Films
  • Feisty Dame Productions
Original release
Network Stan
Release13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)

Invisible Boys is an Australian drama for Stan [1] that premiered on 13 February 2025. It is created and directed by Nicholas Verso, adapted from the novel of the same name by Holden Sheppard. [2] The series follows the challenges of teens in the coastal city of Geraldton in Western Australia following the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite, it focuses on finding friendships, solace and understanding on what makes them "invisible". [3]

Contents

Plot

During the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite, a group of teens in the remote coastal city of Geraldton, Western Australia must explore the challenges of social media after one them is outed on social media after an encounter with a straight man. The group band together to find solace, strengthen their friendships and begin understanding on what made them previously invisible, and why they must continue to support each other. [4]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Apps" Nicholas Verso Nicholas Verso13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
2"Webcam"Nicholas VersoNicholas Verso13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
3"Drive In"Nicholas VersoAllan Clarke13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
4"Sauce"Nicholas Verso Holden Sheppard & Nicholas Verso13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
5"The Date"Nicholas VersoEnoch Mailangi13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
6"The Coming Out Ball"Nicholas VersoEnoch Mailangi13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
7"Country"Nicholas VersoAllan Clarke13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
8"Cake"Nicholas VersoHolden Sheppard & Nicholas Verso13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
9"Bees"Nicholas VersoDeclan Greene13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)
10"Sunset"Nicholas VersoNicholas Verso13 February 2025 (2025-02-13)

Production

The series is based on the novel of the same name written by Holden Sheppard, which was optioned by Nicholas Verso in 2020. [5]

Stan announced the drama as a commissioned series in 2023. [3] The series was adapted, written and directed by Nicholas Verso alongside writers Enoch Mailangi, Allan Clarke, Holden Sheppard and Declan Greene. [6] On 12 March 2024, the cast for the series was announced. [7]

On 15 March 2024, it was announced that the series had begun production in Western Australia with the 10 part series filming in Geraldton, Western Australia. [6] [8] Filming locations included the Sunset Beach, Ocean Road Hotel, foreshore and Macedonian club. [9]

The series contains some major changes to the book, particularly relating to Hammer and Matt's plotlines and moving the story to 2017 to feature the Australian same-sex marriage plebiscite. Hammer is now a First Nations character facing racism as well as his sexuality. [10] Matt's storyline on the farm deviates significantly from the book. The female characters are also expanded and rewritten (Bec, Sabrina, Rochelle, Nadine, Karla), along with several new characters, including Aunty Doris and Ian Orcher. [11]

Release

On 23 January 2025, it was announced that all episodes would be released on Stan on 13 February 2025. [12]

Reception

Critical response

Stephen A. Russell for ScreenHub describes Invisible Boys as a "gloriously messy marvel I wish I’d had access to as a tortured teen." [10] In The Conversation, Damien O'Meara noted the significance of the "gritty" and "real" representations as carrying forward the traditions of Australian teen drama. [13] He praises the series for standing against trends towards gay respectability politics, noting how "the horny gay teen isn’t hidden away in Invisible Boys – nor are his choices always comfortable." [13]

The series does face some criticism for its engagement with experiences of trauma. Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen from Guardian Australia critiques ways Invisible Boys "begins to play into the cliche that queerness and relentless trauma go hand in hand, and veers close to trauma porn with a major plot event." [14]

References

  1. ↑ "Invisible Boys | February 13 | Stan Originals". Stan. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  2. ↑ Thomas, Shibu (1 September 2023). "Holden Sheppard's Gay YA Novel Invisible Boys Is Being Made Into A TV Series". Star Observer. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  3. 1 2 Knox, David (30 August 2023). "Stan commissions 3 new local dramas". tvtonight.com.au. TV Tonight . Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  4. ↑ Writers, Staff (23 January 2025). "Groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ Series Invisible Boys Hitting Stan In February". scenestr.com.au. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  5. ↑ Mem: 7604712. "'Invisible Boys' optioned for film and TV". Books+Publishing. Retrieved 3 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. 1 2 Knox, David (15 March 2024). "Invisible Boys filming in WA". tvtonight.com.au. TV Tonight . Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  7. ↑ Dalgarno, Paul (12 March 2024). "Invisible Boys, Stan: first look and cast announcements | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data". www.screenhub.com.au. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "Stan series Invisible Boys films on Glendinning Road". Geraldton Guardian. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Not so invisible! Stan hysteria hits town". Geraldton Guardian. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Invisible Boys, Stan review: a gloriously messy marvel | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data". www.screenhub.com.au. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  11. ↑ Aimée, Lindorff (6 February 2025). "Nicholas Verso on adapting Invisible Boys for television". Screen Australia . Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  12. ↑ Knox, David (23 January 2025). "Airdate: Invisible Boys". TV Tonight . Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  13. 1 2 O'Meara, Damien (12 February 2025). "Stan's Invisible Boys carries the tradition of real, gritty Aussie teen drama, while smashing it into something new". The Conversation. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  14. ↑ Nguyen, Giselle Au-Nhien (13 February 2025). "Invisible Boys review – heartfelt queer drama tilts towards trauma porn". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 13 February 2025.
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