The Unlisted

Last updated

The Unlisted
Unlisted title v038 offnetflix still.049 670.jpg
Genre
Created byJustine Flynn
Written by
  • Mithila Gupta
  • Timothy Lee
  • Tristram Baumber
  • Chris Kunz
  • Greg Waters
  • Jane Allen
  • Rhys Graham
  • Nicholas Brown
  • Natesha Somasundaram
Directed by
  • Rhys Graham
  • Justine Flynn
  • Neil Sharma
  • Nick Verso
  • Lucy Gaffy
  • Rebecca O'Brien
Starring
  • Ved Rao
  • Vrund Rao
  • Miah Madden
  • Abigail Adriano
  • Nya Cofie
  • Jean Hinchliffe
Opening theme"Another Brick in the Wall" by Diego Baldenweg with Nora Baldenweg and Lionel Baldenweg
Composers
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes15 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Justine Flynn
  • Libbie Doherty
  • Carla de Jong
Producers
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time23–25 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC Me
Release15 September 2019 (2019-09-15)

The Unlisted is an Australian children's science fiction drama television series. The series follows the story of 13-year-old identical twins, Drupad and Kalpen Sharma, who work with a group of underground vigilante children, who call themselves "The Unlisted", in order to stop a powerful corporation from imposing global control over the world's youth by inserting a tracking device, which also allows them to be remotely controlled. [1] [2]

Contents

The Unlisted is produced by Polly Staniford and Angie Fielder. It is executive produced by Justine Flynn, Libbie Doherty and Carla De Jong. The creator and showrunner is Justine Flynn. The series is directed by Rhys Graham, Justine Flynn, Neil Sharma, Nick Verso, Lucy Gaffy and Rebecca O’Brien. It was written by Mithila Gupta, Timothy Lee, Tristram Baumber, Chris Kunz, Greg Waters, Jane Allen, Rhys Graham, Nicholas Brown, Natesha Somasundaram. [3] It is an Aquarius Films production. Netflix has acquired global rights outside Australia. [4] As of January 2024, the series has neither been officially canceled by ABC Me, nor renewed for a second season. [5]

Premise

The show follows thirteen-year-old identical twins who discover that a corporation, in cohort with the government, is secretly tracking and manipulating Australia's youth. It is being done via electronic tracking devices that are installed during a 'routine' dental exam, under the name of Global Child Initiative Programme. When the duo discovers that the programme is all a sham, they pair up with a group of underground vigilantes, who call themselves as 'The Unlisted', to stop the powerful and evil corporation from gaining control over the world's youth. They must stop the wicked authorities from creating an army of young soldiers who can be manipulated to serve the wealthiest of society.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes

SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
1 1515 September 2019 (2019-09-15)

Season 1 (2019)

Episode NO.Episode nameOriginal airdate
1Episode 115 September 2019
Dru escapes a dreaded dental check-up by convincing Kal to take his place. Later, strange things start happening as the family celebrates Diwali.
2Episode 215 September 2019
After Dru struggles to keep up with other kids during a fitness test, he hacks into the school's computer system and makes a startling discovery.
3Episode 315 September 2019
When Dadi volunteers at a school event, Kal must keep his incredible strength under wraps. But Vidya suspects that her brothers are hiding something.
4Episode 415 September 2019
Dru and Kal join forces with the unlisted, runaway kids who escaped the Infinity Group. But a crisis threatens to expose them all.
5Episode 515 September 2019
When workers discover the tunnel, the unlisted are forced to flee.Meanwhile, the twins reunite with a friend—but something seems off.
6Episode 615 September 2019
Social media influencer Kymara posts a video containing a secret message to her followers.But she makes a mistake that puts the unlisted at risk.
7Episode 715 September 2019
Dru and Kal weigh whether they can trust Jiao. The students take a field trip to GCI headquarters, where a scavenger hunt test their abilities.
8Episode 815 September 2019
Horrified by the incident at GCI headquarters, the twins confide in Aunt Bua. A new teacher replaces Miss Biggs and divides the students into groups.
9Episode 915 September 2019
With GCI drones swarming all around, Rose and Gemma make a risky plan to meet another unlisted kid. Kal's Elite status starts to go to his head.
10Episode 1015 September 2019
Emma Ainsworth, the CEO of the infinity group, interrogates Rose and Mack. As Kal grows closer to Regan, Dru wonders which side his brother's really on.
11Episode 1115 September 2019
GCI Trains a new crop of students with special abilities. With an epic storm looming, the twins plot an elaborate rescue.
12Episode 1215 September 2019
As the hunt for the missing kids heats up, the unlisted hides out at the Sharmas' house, where Jacob stumbles across a secret.
13Episode 1315 September 2019
While Emma Ainsworth subjects the elite to a harrowing training, Dru works with the unlisted to take down the GCI mainframe.
14Episode 1415 September 2019
The Unlisted film a manifesto and take to the streets to spread their message. Meanwhile, the Infinity Group sends Kal after Dru.
15Episode 1515 September 2019
During the Global Child Congress, Dadi helps the unlisted break into GCI headquarters, where Kal faces the ultimate decision.

Reception

Critical response

The first season has received generally positive reviews, with praise for the acting, directing, story, visuals and themes. Ruth Prarthana of Deccan Chronicle praised The Unlisted giving it a 4 out of 5, stating that "The Unlisted works because it offers only 15 episodes that capture the narrative in fast-paced manner with no needless drama." [6] Reviewing for Common Sense Media , Ayize Everett wrote "This Australian drama is fairly light and fun, despite the overtones of menace." [7]

The series has received some criticism also. Writing for Decider , John Serba praised some aspects of the series, including the theme song but was troubled by the performances of actors, writing, "It seems to be fishing around for a consistent tone ... Its modest stabs at comedy fall flat, and the serious moments fall prey to stiff dialogue and performances." [8]

Accolades

YearAssociationCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2019 AACTA Awards Best Children's Television Series The UnlistedNominated [9]
Best Original Music Score in Television
Nominated
Best Editing in Television Mat EvansNominated
Casting Guild of Australia Achievement in Casting Gemma Brown and Kirsty McGregorWon [10]
2020 Australian Directors' Guild Best Direction of a Children's TV or SVOD Drama Program Rebecca O'Brien and Lucy GaffyNominated [11]
International Youth Jury PrizeWorld's best fiction program for 11-15-year-oldsThe UnlistedWon [12]
TBI Content Innovation AwardsBest Live Action Kids ProgrammeAquarius FilmsNominated [13]

Soundtrack

The Unlisted (Original Music from the ABC/Netflix Series)
The Unlisted Soundtrack Cover.jpg
Soundtrack album by
Released15 September 2019 (2019-09-15)
Genre Progressive rock
Length65:00
Label Great Garbo Music
Producer ABC Me
Netflix
Singles from The Unlisted
  1. "Another Brick In The Wall"
    Released: 15 September 2019 (2019-09-15)

Track listing

The Unlisted (Original Music from the ABC/Netflix Series) [14] [15]
No.TitleLength
1."The Unlisted: Main Theme"2:25
2."The Elite"2:32
3."Drops"2:51
4."Rebellion"2:32
5."Succeed"3:14
6."The Underworld"2:57
7."Sunrise over Woolloomooloo"2:15
8."Another Brick In The Wall"2:35
9."Investigations"3:13
10."Under the Trees"1:57
11."Everybody Is Frozen"2:01
12."Surveillance"4:28
13."As the Story Unfolds"2:53
14."Stronger"2:18
15."Escape the City"2:36
16."Thunder"5:10
17."Science Experiments"3:00
18."Midnight"3:00
19."Wires"4:28
20."The Establishment"3:00
21."Dentist"2:12
22."Womb"2:54

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References

  1. Knox, David (6 February 2018). "ABC plans new kids drama The Unlisted". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. "The Unlisted (2019) - The Screen Guide - Screen Australia". www.screenaustralia.gov.au.
  3. David Knox (23 August 2018). "Airdate: The Unlisted". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  4. "Netflix boards ABC/Aquarius Films' kids series 'The Unlisted'". 3 April 2019.
  5. Dutta, Anisha (17 October 2019). "The Unlisted Season 2: Release Date, Cast, Netflix, Renewed/Cancelled". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  6. "The Unlisted review: Thriller that packs a punch!". Deccan Chronicle . 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  7. Everett, Ayize (8 December 2019). "The Unlisted - TV Review". Common Sense Media . Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  8. Serba, John (17 October 2019). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Unlisted' on Netflix, an Australian Series Tangling Teens in an Evil Conspiracy". Decider . Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  9. "AACTA Awards 2019: nominees". TV Tonight . 23 October 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  10. "Casting Guild of Australia Awards 2019: winners". TV Tonight . 30 November 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  11. "Australian Directors Guild Awards 2020: nominees". TV Tonight . 14 July 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  12. "ABC wins world's top children's TV awards". ABC News . ABC Media Room. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  13. "TBI Content Innovation Awards: nominees". TV Tonight . 4 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  14. "The Unlisted (Music from the Original TV Series) by Diego Baldenweg, Nora Baldenweg, Lionel Baldenweg & Roger Waters". Apple Music . 15 November 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  15. "The Unlisted (Original Music from the ABC / Netflix Series)". Amazon Music . Retrieved 29 April 2022.