It's not often that I get into Australian TV shows, there's a limited few that really capture my attention.  I must admit I should watch a tone more as we do create some great shows here, everything I mainly watch is from the US or UK, I guess it's that whole stigma that we generally put on Australian productions as not being entertaining enough or lacking something.  I really should try to kick that attitude and pay attention as last night I watched something that made here in Australia and kept me glued to the TV.


I'm talking about 'The Straits' a new show airing in a ten part series on ABC.  I caught an encore screening of the show last night on ABC2 and boy am I glad they replayed it!


'The Straits' is a tough crime drama set in the far northern reaches of the Sunshine State of Queensland.  Dark in humour the show borders on being similar to 'The Sopranos' but with better weather and views set in a wild and exotic location full of crocodiles, guns and drug smugglers.  This is my kind of show!


The show is based on an idea by actor Aaron Fa'Aoso who also stars in the show, he apparently sought help from producers to create the show after his own frustration and limits in gaining roles with his Indigenous background.  Aaron grew up around the area 'The Straits' is set in and derived the base of the show from boyhood friends and experiences.


'The Straits' follows the life and crimes of the Montebello clan, a tight knit family unit who run business out of far north Queensland smuggling guns and drugs into Australia via the Torres Strait Islands.


There's a whole swag of well known Australian faces that appear in the show such as Rachael Blake from 'Wildside' and Firass Dirani best known for his role as John Ibrahim in 'Underbelly: The Golden Mile'.


Another actor that appears playing the head of the Montebello family is British actor Brian Cox of 'The Bourne Supremacy' fame.  He plays the tropical don in this caper.


This is a must watch for those fans of Underbelly, The Sopranos and anything crime family related.  It's rather entertaining and a good dark laugh at many moments!


'The Straits' screens every Thursday night on ABC1 at 8:30pm.


Watch or I might go tropical on ya!