Four Part series It’s Fine, I’m Fine to launch on World Mental Health Day

It’s Fine, I’m Fine

SBS has announced that It’s Fine, I’m Fine, a happy/sad series about therapy, will air Mondays from 10 October at 9:30pm on NITV and be available to stream free on SBS On Demand, launching on World Mental Health Day.

It’s Fine, I’m Fine was the only Australian production to be in the official selection in-competition at CanneSeries 2022 and recently screened to sold out Australian premiere at MIFF. The acclaimed series follows a suburban Australian psychologist and the ups and downs of her patients as they explore love, loss, anxiety, obsession and the uncertain future ahead. It celebrates the mess and melancholy of life with elements of unexpected magical realism.

Proudly putting new voices front and centre, the series explores mental health and the human condition through characters representing the deaf, disability, LGBTQ+ and Black Pasifika communities, among others.

The series is created and directed by Stef Smith (Joy Boy) and produced by Smith, alongside Clare Delaney (Not There), Florence Tourbier (Berlin Syndrome) and Iain Crittenden (Holy Crap) for Photoplay Films, with eight distinct stories written by Ana Maria Belo (Frayed), Anna Lindner (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief), Arky Michael (Janet King), Cecilia Morrow (Top of the Lake: China Girl), Chris Burton (Relic), Jeanette Cronin (The Tourist), Michael Gupta (The Echo), Nick Coyle (Sarah’s Channel), Stef Smith and Wendy Mocke (The Code).

Prominent Australian actress, who also happens to be deaf, Ana Maria Belo stars in the series leading role as therapist Joanne. Bunton, Morrow, Michael and Mocke also star, alongside Heather Mitchell (Love Me), Eryn Jean Norvill (Preppers), Andrew McFarlane (Between Two Worlds), Cat Van Davies (The Twelve), comedian Suren Jayemanne (Question Everything) and newcomers Margaret Pittas, Sam Greenless and Edan Chapman.

Photoplay Films’ Oliver Lawrence (Sweet Country) executive produces alongside Gracie Otto (Heartbreak High) and Annette Davey (Maid).

“We’re all a bit fucked up, and there’s often still a sense of secrecy around talking to a professional in those moments when we’re feeling a little – or a lot – off balance. With this show we wanted to showcase the different voices of talented new writers and hopefully make the idea of opening up the messy parts of ourselves a little less taboo,” says series creator and director, Stef Smith

It’s Fine I’m Fine received principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW.

As Monday 10 October is World Mental Health Day, NITV has also curated a Mental Health Collection, which includes the premiere of Each and Every Day: Stories from Survivors; an exploration of mental health through the eyes of young people who share their dark moments, recoveries, and wisdom about what it means to build a life worth living, and Neighbours; an observational documentary about people with mental illness who leave their institution after decades spent in isolation. Please refer to your program guide for more information.

See It’s Fine, I’m Fine from Monday 10 October at 9:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand