When Holly Ringland published The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart in 2018, in her wildest dreams the Australian writer had no idea her debut novel would reach audiences in 30 countries and turn her into an international best-selling author.

Months later, Prime Video made the move to turn her “compelling and enchanting” story into a TV series adaptation, and since its launch on August 4, the seven-part series has reached the top five in 78 countries and top three in 42 countries.

“We are looking to create something for everyone … what is really exciting is when our local titles take off globally,” says Sarah Christie, senior development executive at Amazon Studios.

In a Screen Australia podcast on August 10, Christie says international audiences are sitting up and watching original Australian content, with a fair share coming from the streaming giant which began commissioning in 2019.

For example, the docu-series on the Australian cricket team, The Test, reached cricket fans “all over the world in India, New Zealand and the UK”.

Luxe Listings Sydney understandably reached audiences in the UK, Canada and the United States.

“2023 is our best year yet for Australian originals … we’ve had nine Australian titles [including Deadloch, Class of 07 and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart] with another three to come [including Hot Potato: The Wiggles Story].

Their slate is not the only catalogue of Australian productions reaching overseas audiences and catching the attention of entertainment magazine reviews and social media fan bases.

Over on Netflix, Australian comedian and writer Kitty Flanagan’s comedy Fisk is topping the charts internationally.

The Clearing, based on the true story of a Melbourne-based cult on Disney+, has clocked up more than seven times “the demand of the average TV series” in the US.

Animated children’s show, Bluey is also enjoying huge success on Disney+, while Colin from Accounts on Foxtel is giving UK and US audiences a whole new look at the situational rom-com that they thought only Ricky Gervais or Quinta Brunson could master.

What makes a global hit?

A mix of finding the right acting draw cards – especially a Hollywood star or recognisable Australian actors – original script-writing, clever music scores and strong production values.

Christie says it’s much simpler: “Surprising audiences with a distinctive Australian focus.”

Casting Hollywood icon Sigourney Weaver, plus a recognisable US-based Sydney-born actor for the past decade, Alycia Debnem-Carey was a good start.

“She [Weaver] delivered an incredible performance and then to build such a strong local contingent with Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell and Alycia Debney Carey [Fear the Walking Dead] were such a drawcard for the series that could resonate with Australian audiences but also reach a global scale,” says Christie.

‘Gripping audiences around the world’

Amazon claims the seven-part series (each episode is an hour long) “is the most successful Australian original worldwide with the biggest opening weekend viewership globally for any Australian launch” and is “gripping audiences around the world”.

Spanning two decades, the story begins with telling the story of a young Alice Hart, whose parents perish in a house fire amid a backdrop of her growing up witnessing domestic violence.

She loses her voice and goes and lives with her grandmother, June [Weaver] on a flower farm, which is also a refuge for women who suffer abuse.

There, she finds peace for a while, and is taught floriography, the traditional art of using flowers as symbols imbued with specific meaning.

She finds her voice.

Alycia Debnam-Carey. Photo: Prime Video

We are then introduced to a young adult Alice [played by Debney-Carey), who runs away, falls in love and finds a job as a ranger in the central Australian desert.

Beautifully shot, and cut to a moody Fleetwood Mac soundtrack, the story is complicated, uplifting and enthralling.

The UK Standard said it was “a series that reels you in, episode by episode”. while the New York Times wrote that it was “…entertaining, moving and vividly atmospheric.”

US entertainment bible Variety did one of many industry reviews, and says it “packs a great deal … into a single concept”.

“Just as flowers can be plants, people or an entire language unto themselves, the limited series from Amazon Prime Video overcrowds its seven episodes with subplots and twists that obscure its deeper resonance.

And this from the Financial Times US: “…the hypnotic, creepy atmosphere draws you into a satisfying drama:.

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Fisk

In its first week on Netflix [August 7-14], workplace comedy Fisk made it onto the streaming giant’s highly competitive global Top 10 list, with 4.9 million hours viewed.

Up against some stiff competition, it dropped out of contention in the global Top 10 due to Depp V Heard: Limited Series slotting in, but clocked in at No.7 in other countries including Canada.

“I think ‘stunned’ is the best word to describe how I’m feeling about it. Absolutely stunned,” Flanagan, who co-wrote the series with sister Penny, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Clearing

Based on a true story about The Family cult located on the outskirts of Melbourne throughout the 1970s and 80s and whose spiritual leader was Anne Hamilton-Byrne.

The first Disney+ original-scripted Aussie drama, premiered on US streaming service Hulu in May to rave reviews, with one website, heavenofhorror.com spruiking its “amazing cast full of recognisable Aussie stars” including Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce, Teresa Palmer and Julia Savage.

“The Clearing is an intriguing peek at a cult’s reality. The format of the show demonstrates how the cult functioned and, ultimately, how matters went wrong,” writes Collider.

“The writers and performers do a fantastic job of drawing us into this place while paying careful attention to every detail. Everything, including the hairstyles, to the God-like complex is going to give you chills.”

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Colin from Accounts

When Harriet Dyler, the co-creator and lead actor in Colin from Accounts posted on her Instagram that the show was launching in the UK on the BBC in April, potential fans were quick to ask about the dog!

But seriously, starring alongside her husband, Patrick Brammell, and winning a stack of Logie Awards, The Guardian wrote that UK audiences “adored” the show, getting “raves on social media” and reactions at the BAFTA TV awards.

“The word-of-mouth has been crazy,” Brammall says. “It’s the best kind of recommendation. You can’t manufacture that.”

tktkt. Photo: ABC

Bluey

Why do Americans love Bluey?

According to The Independent, some US kids are trying to speak with an Australian accent after watching too many episodes. One even asked if he could go to the “dunny” instead of the toilet.

For Bluey’s creator Joe Brumm, the phenomenan is amusing – and a nice antidote to the Americanisation of television in Australia and beyond.

“All I can do is apologise,” says Brumm.

“What’s been quite nice is the American audience, in particular … they’re enjoying the little puzzle of trying to figure out what half of the words mean.”

tktkt. Photo: Prime Video

Deadloch

Set in Tasmania, mystery crime thriller with a deadpan comedy edge, Deadloch was released on Amazon Prime on June 2.

“A delightful series that starts out seeming like a satire of somber, melancholy crime dramas like Broadchurch, The Bridge, and Top of the Lake but ends up succeeding as an addictive thriller, writes Vanity Fair on Rotten Tomatoes (it gave it an 88 per cent audience score).