Series 2 of goal-kicking comedy-drama Mustangs FC has premiered on the ABC, launching an exciting slate of new-release Australian children’s content for 2019.

In the new 13x24 min series, the Mustangs are pumped and ready to get back in the game after missing out on the finals trophy last year. The problem is - there's a Ruby shaped hole in the team since she defected to the Wildcats, and it's wobbling everyone.

Series 2 launched in early January on ABC ME and is currently available to stream on ABC iView. Co-creators Amanda Higgs and Rachel Davis told Film Ink they were ‘thrilled’ to return with a new season.

“We are so excited to be bringing Australian and international audiences the continuing adventures of the Mustangs team,” they said.

Season 1 was one of the ABC’s most successful local productions of 2017. Writer Magda Wozniac’s episode “Flawless” received the 2018 AWGIE ’C’ classification award for “Children’s 5-14 Years: Original and Adapted, Animated or Performed”, while Director Fiona Banks picked up the Esben Storm Award for Best Direction of a Children’s TV or SVOD Drama at the 2018 ADG Awards. The Mustangs crew also received nominations at the 2018 SPA Awards, 2018 TV Week Logie Awards and the 2017 AACTA Awards.

In the classroom, ACTF Education’s Mustangs FC Teaching Toolkit quickly became a top pick for teachers looking to introduce themes of gender, relationships, mental health, leadership and diversity to students.

During the ACTF’s Q&A event for schools, Emmanuelle Mattana (Marnie) said the show inspires people to be themselves, to discover who they are and to celebrate it.

“I’m just so happy to see a script with such diverse characters. I would have loved to have a show like this when I when I was [younger],” she said. 

Mustangs – Series 2 is one of many programs audiences can look forward to this year. 2019’s slate of new content includes The InBESTigators, an upcoming comedy/mystery series from Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler (the creators of Little Lunch). The InBESTigators consist of eleven-year olds Ezra, Maudie, Ava and Kyle – a group of aspiring detectives who establish an agency to solve neighbourhood puzzles. The series will debut on ABC ME in Australia and stream on Netflix internationally.

Also set to premiere on the ABC is Hardball, created by Guy Edmonds and Matt Zeremes. This new program follows Kiwi boy Mikey, who moves to Western Sydney and finds himself in the thick of a school handball competition. Mikey’s new friends Salwa and Jerry make it their mission to train him, developing the skills and precision he will need to topple reigning champion, Tiffany. The ACTF will distribute Hardball internationally.

Mustangs FC – Series 2 is a Matchbox Pictures production, created with support from the ABC and Screen Australia in association with Film Victoria. Produced by Amanda Higgs and Rachel Davis. Executive Producers: Debbie Lee, Libbie Doherty, Jan Stradling. Distributed by NBCU International. Educational distribution by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

Hardball is a Northern Pictures production, created with support from ABC TV, Screen Australia, Australian Children's Television Foundation and Create NSW. Producer, Jo Weatherstone. Executive Producers, Catherine Nebauer, Bernadette O’Mahony and Jan Stradling. Distributed by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

The Inbestigators is a Gristmill production, created with support from ABC TV, Netflix, Screen Australia, ACTF and Film Victoria. Producers - Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler. Executive Producers - Wayne Hope, Robyn Butler, Greg Sitch, Bernadette O’Mahony, Jan Stradling. Distributed by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

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