Australian comedy Austin is heading back to BBC One and iPlayer for its second season, with comedy veterans Ben Miller and Sally Phillips returning alongside breakout star Michael Theo.
The story follows author Julian (Miller), who was confronted in season 1 by grown man claiming to be his long-lost son, whose sudden appearance is a spanner in the works at an already difficult point in his career.
Over the course of the first chapter, we saw Austin (Theo) gradually form a relationship of sorts with his slippery father, with season 2 revisiting this unconventional family as they are faced with more life-changing quandaries.
Theo has been the most highly praised in Austin reviews, with the former Love on the Spectrum documentary participant wowing viewers with his hidden acting talent – but there are plenty more familiar faces in the Austin cast.
Here’s your full guide to the key players as the comedy returns to our screens.
Austin main cast
Read on for more detailed profiles on each character and the actors playing them, including where you might have seen them before.
- Ben Miller as Julian
- Michael Theo as Austin
- Sally Phillips as Ingrid
- Gia Carides as Mel
- Roy Billing as Bill
- Kate Elliott as Heidi
- Ellie McKay as Florence
Ben Miller plays Julian
Who is Julian? A successful children’s book author who is ‘cancelled’ after accidentally retweeting a white supremacist. It’s during this particularly tumultuous period that he finds out he has an adult son.
What else has Ben Miller been in? He’s best known for Death in Paradise, Professor T, The Armstrong and Miller show, Paddington, Bridgerton, Primeval and Suspect.
Michael Theo plays Austin
Who is Austin? A 28-year-old who finds out that his father is the author of an iconic children’s book series. Austin is on the autism spectrum.
What else has Michael Theo been in? You might know him from reality show Love on the Spectrum. This is his acting debut.
Sally Phillips plays Ingrid
Who is Ingrid? An illustrator and Julian’s wife. They are long-time creative collaborators, but in season 2, she is considering whether their marriage has a future.
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What else has Sally Phillips been in? You probably know her from Bridget Jones, Miranda and Smack the Pony. You might also have watched her in We Might Regret This, Queenie and Tourist Trap.
Gia Carides plays Mel
Who is Mel? Austin’s mum. She had a brief fling with Julian in the early stages of his relationship with Ingrid.
What else has Gia Carides been in? You might have watched her in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Big Little Lies, Filthy Rich, Small Time Gangster and East of Everything.
Roy Billing plays Bill
Who is Bill? Mel’s dad.
What else has Roy Billing been in? He has appeared in Jack Irish, Underbelly, The End, Rake, Agent Anna and Cops LAC.
Kate Elliott plays Heidi
Who is Heidi? She works for the publishing house that produces Julian and Ingrid’s book series.
What else has Kate Elliot been in? Her credits include The Gulf, Wentworth Prison, The Cult, Street Legal and Fracture.
Ellie McKay plays Florence
Who is Florence? Julian and Ingrid’s teenage daughter.
What else has Ellie McKay been in? She’s had roles in Miss Austen, Doctors and Hope Street.
Additional cast includes:
- Charlotte Nicdao (Mythic Quest, A gURLs wURLd) – a documentary maker who wants to make a film about Julian and Austin.
- Zahra Newman (Spreadsheet, Wentworth) as Monica – Julian and Ingrid’s agent.
- Tai Hara (Home and Away, Return to Paradise, Colin from Accounts) as Luke – a barman who Ingrid flirts with after learning Julian cheated on her when they first started dating.
- Richard Davies (Offspring, Apple Cider Vinegar) as Eric – he works with Austin at the warehouse.
- Jim Howick (Ghosts, Sex Education) as Gawain – a tour guide. He runs a Billie Piper tour.
- Rob Collins (Ten Pound Poms, Total Control) as a foreign minister.
- Fayssal Bazzi (The Twelve, Shantaram) as Sean – an artist.
- Boni Adeliyi (My Lady Jane) as Lucy – a journalist who Austin becomes friendly with.
- Billie Piper (Doctor Who, I Hate Suzie, Scoop) as herself.
Austin returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 10 July 2026. Catch-up on earlier episodes now.
Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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