Australian public broadcaster SBS has launched 'Homebodies', a six-part digital series that combines supernatural elements with an exploration of transmasculine identity. The show follows Darcy (Luke Wiltshire), a young trans man who returns home to care for his mother (Claudia Karvan), only to discover she has been living with a ghostly pre-transition version of him, Dee (Jazi Hall).
Showrunner AP Pobjoy describes Dee as 'that emotional, electric period of being seventeen – invincible, confused, and searching', adding that the character 'isn’t just a ghost of the past but a vital fragment of who Darcy is'. The series delves into the strained relationship between mother and son, forced to confront unresolved issues after Darcy's gender reassignment surgery.
Produced by Mad Ones Films, with support from Screen Australia and Screen NSW, 'Homebodies' originated from SBS's Digital Originals initiative, which champions underrepresented voices. The series has received positive reviews, with The Conversation noting it 'gives space for an exploration of the challenging, interpersonal relationship between [Darcy] and his mother through the haunting of an unresolved rift'.
Director Harry Lloyd said the show's appeal lies in its refusal to frame transition as a simple before-and-after story. 'Dee is a mirror that Darcy can’t look away from but can’t look at directly either,' Lloyd explained. 'There’s something specific about encountering your pre-transition self not as a memory you can file away, but as a presence that talks back.'
Last week, 'Homebodies' debuted internationally at Series Mania, where it received a Special Mention in the Students Award category. The series is currently without a distributor, but industry observers expect interest from sales houses given its critical reception and unique premise.
