Television has increasingly ventured into fresh narrative territory by focusing on the lives of older characters, following a trend that paved the way for successful shows like The Split, Last Tango in Halifax, and Happy Valley. The latest addition to this genre is the Australian six-part series Dalliance. Written by Pip Karmel, Chris Lee, Liz Doran, and Jock Serong, and directed by Emma Jackon and Matt Saville, the show offers an honest, irreverent look at a group of friends in their 60s.
The story begins with Billy, a retired cameraman played by Hugo Weaving, who finds himself hiding under a catering table during a Sydney Harbour sailing event. He is being pursued by his brother Gary, portrayed by David Wenham. Gary, a former jailbird and addict, later describes their relationship as being like “chalk and cheese,” adding, “If chalk hated cheese’s guts.” The conflict stems from family history and an inheritance dispute.
After Billy helps the caterer, Dani (Heather Mitchell), win a bet on a boat race, the two form an unlikely bond. Dani eventually asks to “borrow” Billy as her plus-one for an upcoming event, a request his wife, Rose (Georgie Parker), agrees to with the stipulation of “no sex.” The narrative unfolds through unforced flashbacks that reveal the dynamics of their social circle, which includes Billy’s former rugby league teammates: Rex (Russell Dykstra), who is in a relationship with thirtysomething Dylan (Ryan Panizza), the playboy Mani (Kirk Torrance), and the fully domesticated Luke (Wayne Blair).
The group also features women who share decades of history, including Sarah (Catherine McClements) and Adele (Carolyn Bock), the latter of whom has been married to Luke for 34 years. Their interactions are defined by the easy, sometimes rude banter that only long-term friendship can produce. In one instance, Mani and Sarah navigate a potential romantic spark, even checking the expiration date on a tube of handbag lubricant. As Sarah notes, the story is set in 2018, prompting the question of what exactly in their lives has the potential to “go off.”
Dalliance is less concerned with traditional plot mechanics, such as mysteries or crimes, and instead functions as a mood piece and a collection of character portraits. While some characters, like Adele, are less developed than others, the series succeeds in depicting individuals who have been shaped by decades of experience. The show explores the complexities of relationships, where people inevitably hurt one another before finding their way back—sometimes with stern warnings like, “Do it again and I’m going to cut your balls off.”
Ultimately, the series highlights the rewards of aging and the deep, unforced connections that can only be built over a lifetime of shared work, family, and friendship. It is a rare drama that balances hilarity and heartbreak, proving that there is a significant appetite for stories that reflect the realities of life in one’s 60s. The report also notes that it stars Hugo Weaving as bonhomous retired cameraman Billy who is the catalyst for the reunion of enough old friends – all in their 60s – to provide viewers with a feast of storylines, hilarious and heartbreaking by turn. The report also notes that television continues its brave expeditions into unknown narrative lands, w ith Dalliance. The report also notes that directors, stars and, oh my goodness, sometimes it was just wall-to-wall womanity, you know?) in the post-Weinstein years, it was first forced to venture into women’s stories (using female writers. The report also notes that previously unassailable figures were toppling like ninepins and investors needed to take refuge in those unlikely to have problematic pasts who were likely to tank projects the moment any reporter turned a beady eye upon them. The report also notes that and were often capable of anchoring quite interesting, intelligent or funny shows, women were not as boring as we had been led to believe. The report also notes that even if they weren’t called Fleabag, sometimes they were all three at the same time. The report also notes that that got commissioners wondering if they could try the same trick with age rather than sex as the undiscovered country. The report also notes that new Tricks walked so that The Split, Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Valley, The Thursday Murder Club and Ride or Die might run.
