A talented voice cast combining experienced Australian actors and exciting new talent has been announced for Eddie’s Li’l Homies, an upcoming animated children’s series inspired by the popular children’s books by AFL great Eddie Betts.

The 10-part series, due to premiere on NITV and Netflix in early 2024, stars Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman, The Newsreader, Barons) as Eddie (above), Miah Madden (Bali 2002, The Clearing, The Bureau of Magical Things) as Lottie, Andrew Dang as Tal and Billy Betts (Eddie Betts’ eight-year-old son) as Junior. 

L-R: Miah Madden, Andrew Dang and Billy Betts

Supporting cast members include Leela Varghese (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, Totally Wild) as Shanti, James Smith as Lachie and Crystal Nguyen (Erotic Stories) as Decks. 

L-R: Leela Varghese, James Smith and Crystal Nguyen

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). It is produced by Oscar-winner Sophie Byrne (The Lost Thing, Scarygirl) of Highly Spirited, and Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie of Betts Promotions, along with Executive/Story Producer Mark O’Toole (Black Comedy).

The series follows Eddie and his ragtag group of friends on their playground adventures as they navigate the fun and challenges of friendship. Outside of home and away from school, their friends are family and the playground is their universe. It’s a world of competition, imagination and fantasy, where anything and everything is possible, where imaginary friends can be real, games of rock paper scissors can take on stupendous importance, and kindness, empathy and a good rap can help put anything right.

Eddie Betts said: “It has been wonderful to see our Eddie’s Lil’ Homies characters come to life in the hands of such a talented cast headed by Hunter and Miah, and a great experience for my son Billy to be a part of the series and learn from such a diverse group of actors. Each of the cast members have brought so much fun to their character, we can’t wait for kids to laugh and rap along with them when they watch the series next year.”

NITV’s Head of Commissions Marissa McDowell, said: “We are thrilled to be working with this group of brilliant and diverse actors on Eddie’s Lil’ Homies. At NITV, our purpose is to create content made by, for and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This beautiful children’s series is the next step in that journey, and we couldn’t do it without the help of Eddie Betts, Anna Scullie and their family, as well as Sophie Byrne, Netflix and ACTF.

“It’s so important for children to see themselves represented onscreen, and this exciting and humorous series does exactly that.”

ACTF Head of Content Bernadette O’Mahony, said: “It has been great to see and hear Eddie, Tal, Lottie and their friends evolve from page to screen over the last year. Each of these talented actors have brought an authenticity to their role that we are truly grateful for – and they are very funny!”

A sneak peek of Eddie’s Lil’ Homies will screen at Taronga Zoo in Sydney from 20 December to 2 February as part of Netflix’s collaboration with Taronga Conservation Society. Shown in the Centenary Theatre at Taronga Zoo, Eddie’s Lil Homies is part of a captivating line up of specially curated children’s titles shown during the summer holidays.

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). The series is produced by Betts Promotions and Highly Spirited. Executive Produced by Bernadette O’Mahony, and Mark O’Toole who also Story Produced. Animation director Arthur Moody, co-director Luke Jurevicius with animation services provided by Vishus Productions and post production services provided by Artisan Post Group. Eddie’s Lil’ Homies was filmed in South Australia and financed with the assistance of South Australian Film Corporation. The series is distributed by the ACTF.

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