Australia's ABC programs receives 53 AACTA nominations

The ABC received the most AACTA nominations of any broadcaster with 53 overall, dominating the children’s, factual entertainment, comedy performer and lifestyle categories. "Fisk" has been nominated for best narrative comedy series, best acting in a comedy (Kitty Flanagan and Aaron Chen), best screenplay (Penny Flanagan and Kitty Flanagan - Episode 3) and best editing in television (Katie Flaxman - Episode 3).

"Total Control" is nominated for best drama series, best lead actress in a drama (Deborah Mailman), best lead actor (Rob Collins), best supporting actress (Rachel Griffiths) and best supporting actor (Wayne Blair).

The ABC almost completed a clean sweep of the best children’s program category, with "Hard Quiz Kids", "Little J" and Big Cuz", "Play School: Big Ted’s Time Machine", "Spooky Files" and "Bluey" making up five of the six nominations. Bluey’s nomination follows its triumph in the Children and Youth category this week at the Rose d’Or Award international television awards in London.

The ABC is nominated four times in the comedy performer category (Guy Montgomery, Aaron Chen, Tom Gleeson and Charlie Pickering), best factual entertainment program ("The Assembly", "Take 5 with Zan Rowe", "Muster Dogs", "Stuff the British Stole") and best lifestyle program ("Gardening Australia", "Grand Designs Australia", "Grand Designs Transformations" and "Restoration Australia").
The AACTA Awards are the pinnacle of Australian storytelling in film and television, with the ceremony to be held on 7th February on the Gold Coast.

ABC Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said: “We’re incredibly proud to see the ABC’s outstanding slate recognised with 53 nominations, a testament to the powerful storytelling, extraordinary performances and passion of everyone involved in these nominated programs. The breadth of nominations across many genres cements the ABC as the premiere Australian network. Congratulations to our wonderful production partners and everyone at the ABC who helps bring these incredible Australian stories to life.”