The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has announced its highly anticipated 2026 programming schedule, promising a blend of new series and returning favorites. This line-up includes prominent figures such as Julia Morris and Guy Sebastian, alongside a host of other familiar faces.
Comedian and television host Julia Morris will headline the new show Class Clowns, where she takes on the role of a principal managing a group of unruly comedians. The show will see these comedians tackle ludicrous assignments inspired by classic school subjects. Morris humorously remarked, “While school was not one of my special gifts, I will lead with conviction, judgement and zero tolerance for anyone who overuses the expression ‘zero tolerance’.”
New Comedies and Dramas
Joining Morris in the comedic arena, Anne Edmonds will star in the drama-packed comedy Bad Company alongside Kitty Flanagan. Edmonds, who created and wrote the series, plays an inept artistic director at a struggling theatre company. Flanagan’s character, a high-powered executive, is tasked with saving the show. Edmonds expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m thrilled to be making an ABC comedy about something so close to my heart — the drama behind the scenes.”
Meanwhile, Sam Pang will appear in Ground Up, a comedy about an AFL administrator’s efforts to establish a new club in Tasmania. The show humorously explores the challenges of building a team without a stadium, highlighting the complexities of sports administration.
In a unique offering, artist and filmmaker Shaun Tan will debut an animated series based on his anthology Tales from Outer Suburbia. The series follows siblings Klara and Pim as they navigate their surreal suburban environment, exploring themes of belonging and displacement. Tan explained, “All my stories are about this question of belonging, you know, what does it mean to belong somewhere and this constant feeling of displacement.”
Celebrating Milestones and Returning Favorites
2026 will also mark significant anniversaries for several ABC staples. Australian Story celebrates its 30th anniversary, ABC Classic reaches its 50th year, and Play School commemorates six decades on air. Additionally, Guy Sebastian will join the second season of The Piano, a feel-good hit featuring classical pianist Andrea Lam and host Amanda Keller.
Shaun Micallef returns with a new documentary, Shaun Micallef’s Going for Broke, examining Australia’s gambling culture. Meanwhile, Zan Rowe transitions from music to reality TV as the host of the Race Around the World reboot, with John Safran joining as a judge.
Expanding into New Genres
ABC’s 2026 line-up also includes a variety of documentaries and scripted series. Highlights include Dustfall, a Tropic Noir detective series, and Goolagong, a miniseries about tennis legend Evonne Goolagong. The documentary The State of Man offers a provocative look at modern masculinity in Australia, while The Matter of Facts explores susceptibility to misinformation through social experiments.
In the arts, ABC Young Performer Awards will spotlight exceptional young classical musicians, while returning favorites like Classic 100 Concert and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras continue to celebrate Australia’s vibrant cultural scene.
Children’s Programming and Audio Innovations
ABC’s children’s programming introduces new shows such as Caper Crew and Dance with Tom, which explore themes of adventure and cultural heritage. For audio enthusiasts, Alan Kohler: In Conversation will feature interviews with corporate leaders, and Country Club will showcase the best in country music.
For news aficionados, ABC News Loop will deliver in-depth explainer journalism, while ABC News Breakfast plans outside broadcasts to highlight Australia’s unique characters.
As the ABC continues to innovate and expand its offerings, viewers can look forward to a diverse and engaging slate of programming in 2026. The network’s commitment to both new content and cherished classics promises to captivate audiences across Australia.
