Spirited

Spirited is a bold, quirky, yet emotionally engaging Australian television series that debuted on Foxtel's W Channel in 2010, and concluded its two-season run in 2011. The drama-comedy show, created by Claudia Karvan and Jacquelin Perske, subverts the norms of the genre and delivers a unique blend of pathos, humor, and a touch of the supernatural.

At the heart of Spirited is a sincere depiction of a woman's journey of self-discovery. The show revolves around Suzy Darling, a successful, albeit disillusioned dentist who is expertly portrayed by the award-winning actress, Claudia Karvan. Suzy finds herself stuck in life, juggling her unfulfilled marriage, two kids, and a career that no longer brings her joy. She is on the edge of severe life-change, walking a fine line between routine unhappiness and the tantalizing prospect of personal liberation.

The added twist to the story arrives in the unconventional form of Henry Mallet, played with charismatic flair by British actor Matt King. Henry is a charismatic ghost, a deceased English musician from the '80s, who becomes a permanent fixture in Suzy's life after she moves into a luxurious yet eerie Sydney apartment. The apartment, unbeknownst to her, happened to be Henry's residence and the site of his mysterious death. The unexpected meeting between the two becomes the impetus for Suzy's journey into an unknown world as she grapples with her new ‘haunted’ reality.

As the show progresses, the relationship between Suzy and Henry evolves from fear and confusion to a complex companionship. Their dynamic is palpable and becomes a memorable aspect of the show, touching on themes of vulnerability, connection, and the exploration of the unseen realms that lie beyond the familiar.

Meanwhile, Spirited isn’t just about a reluctant dentist who sees ghosts. It’s also about an ensemble of intriguing supporting characters that add an additional layer to the storyline. There's Suzy's estranged husband Steve, portrayed by Rodger Corser, who’s a local television personality and a self-obsessed womanizer. There are Suzy and Steve's quirky yet endearing children, Verity and Elvis, their eccentric neighbors, Jonquil and Leon, and Suzy's aloof yet supportive sister, Jonquil, played wonderfully by Belinda Bromilow. Each character, with their distinctive personalities and narratives, form a vibrant tapestry around the central storyline, weaving enduring moments of humor and heart, and throwing more drama into the maelry of Suzy's life.

Above all, Spirited is a show that challenges the notions of a 'normal life’. It questions societal norms, encouraging us to embrace the unforeseen, and to confront the monotony of our lives, personified in Suzy’s mundane daily existence. It is a programme that places a strong female character in the epicenter of the plot, a woman of a certain age dealing with mid-life crisis, family issues, existential angst, and a ghostly, unpredictable lodger! Both Claudia Karvan and Matt King give excellent, deeply nuanced performances that make their peculiar characters eminently relatable.

Spirited is a show that knows how to balance the heaviness of a mid-life crisis with the upbeat notes of comedy, blending a thoughtful narrative with endearing performances and setting it against a beautiful Sydney backdrop. The show’s stylistic blend of the supernatural, with its unique mix of drama and comedy, and its imaginative storytelling earned it a dedicated fanbase and critical recognition during its original run from 2010 to 2011.

In a nutshell, Spirited is a lot more than your typical drama series. It’s a thought-provoking, sharp, and entertaining show with distinctive characters that stay with you for years. It uses the ghostly premise as more than just a gimmick, framing it as a metaphor for the unseen forces that guide us, the missed opportunities, the hopes, dreams, and the complex emotions that make us human. It's a refreshing and unconventional take on life's trials with a spirited, pun intended, supernatural twist.