“The theatre setting was an appropriate environment for a sitcom.”
— Anne Edmonds, on the origin of Bad Company
The six-part comedy series Bad Company, created by and starring comedian Anne Edmonds, began streaming on ABC iview. The series satirizes the performing arts sector and depicts a conflict between artistic vision and business management.
Plot and Characters
The series follows Margie Argyle, the artistic director of The Argyle Theatre, whose management leads the organization into financial difficulty. The theatre’s board responds by appointing a corporate CEO, Julia McNamara, to restore stability. The storyline explores the tension between creative goals and financial necessities.
Cast and Production
The cast includes Kitty Flanagan, Angella Dravid, Cameron James, Will Gibb, Kira Puru, and Ben Pfeiffer. Edmonds stated that the concept for the series originated from her experience performing with the Melbourne Theatre Company in Tom Gleisner's 2023 production of Bloom. She said the theatre setting was an appropriate environment for a sitcom.
Character Development
Edmonds stated that she based the character of Margie on people she met in the arts, incorporating some of her own traits. She noted that Kitty Flanagan agreed to participate in the project before Edmonds began writing the script. The series aims to balance comedy with character depth and satirizes aspects of the performing arts, including marketing strategies and production decisions.
Actor Background
Kira Puru, a Melbourne-based Māori singer-songwriter, appears in Bad Company as Kat, an employee at the struggling theatre. Puru’s recent acting work includes a role in the dark comedy crime series Deadloch. Prior to acting, Puru released the single "All My Boyfriends" in 2023 and took a three-year break from releasing music and live performances, focusing on photography, graphic design, and creative direction.
Puru stated they experienced burnout around the COVID-19 pandemic after leaving their label and manager. Puru resumed playing live shows in the last six months and confirmed that new music is being created, though no release date has been set. Puru has completed a third audition for an unspecified project and is co-writing a television show with a friend.