The InBESTigators (season 1)

The first season of the Australian children's mockumentary comedy drama television series The InBESTigators aired on ABC Me between June 21, 2019 and July 10, 2019,[nb 1] being released on Netflix worldwide on August 9, 2019, and consists of 20 episodes. The season was produced by Gristmill Productions with Screen Australia in association with Film Victoria and Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF). The series follows a group of Grade 5 kids which form a Detective Agency named The Inbestigators to solve crimes in school or neighborhood.

The InBESTigators
Season 1
Digital Purchase Cover
Country of originAustralia
No. of episodes20
Release
Original networkABC Me
Netflix
Original releaseJune 21 –
July 10, 2019
Season chronology

Season 1 is written by Robyn Butler, Wayne Hope, Molly Daniels, Lisa Marie Corso, Maddy Butler, Jayden Masciulli, Bob Franklin, and directed by Wayne Hope, Robyn Butler, Ian Reiser and Nina Buxton. Executive Producers are Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope, alongside Greg Sitch and Bernadette O’Mahoney.[1] Filming began in July 2018 at Moorabbin Primary School in Moorabbin, Victoria, and ended in November 2018.

The season features guest appearances of Zane Slater, Nicole Freeman, Matia Marks, Saxon Jenkins, Heldi Arena, Nicholas Dugdale, Alexandra Cashmere, Louisa Fitzhardinge, Monet Sirc, Maiah Stewardson, Jake Stone, Kaitlin Tanti, Grace Anderson, Bridget Anile, Kershawn Theodore, Mitchell Otto, Luka Pajic, Tim Potter, Sebastian Tremontana, Dylan Jett Georgiades, Dash Maxwell, Andy Matthews, Hannah Camilleri, Tony Rickards, Georgie Haralambopoulos, Kayleigh O'Dwyer, Kat Dunshea, Shayne Warren, Lachlan Martin, Declan O'Donovan, Olive Weeks, Tiana Hogben, Isabella Woodlock, Luey Kemp-Mykyta, Amy Keen, Jagger Serafin, Ezra Justin, Asmara Feik, Eden Vass, Bianca Cristiano, Aidan Synan, Annie Jones, Felix Star Higson-McBrearty, Jamie Foster and Melanie Lockman.

Plot

Ezra Banks is an 11-year-old boy who studies in fifth grade along with Ava and Kyle. His mother wanted him to be influenced from a special project, and Mr. Mcgilick says he is taking care of the school's new student, Maudie Miller, and he, Ava and Kyle are impressed with her intelligence that was able to solve a case without question. This brings the four together and merges an investigative agency called The Inbestigators to solve crimes at school and in the neighbourhood. At first, they were underestimated by adults for being children, so they always impress them with their cleverness and advanced investigative skills.[2]

In the middle of the season, Maudie loses her special notebook, which she uses for writing the clues for all cases and more things, and gets possessive desperate. Ezra, Ava and Kyle decides to help her remember how she lost her notebook to find it. The case ends when Kyle founds Maudie's notebook inside one of the boxes of Miss. Parides' sports shed. Then, Maudie is free from her desperating possession and gets happy for Kyle. She reveals some photos along with her mom, who died when Maudie was only a child and was one of her last moments before the tragedy.

In the season finale, Maudie is 11 years old and Ava is shocked to realize that Maudie has never had a birthday party. Meanwhile, the Inbestigators set out to solve a case at the behest of Mauide's father Brian Miller, who missed a letter from a conference in Hong Kong. Maudie discovers that it was a case invented by Ezra, Ava and Kyle like a form to celebrate her birthday and at the same time, Ava reveals having a surprise party at Maudie's house and she considers it the best day of her life.

Cast & Characters
Main article: List of The InBESTigators characters
Actor Character Role
Anna Cooke Maudie Miller Main
Aston Droomer Ezra Banks Main
Abby Bergman Ava Andrikides Main
Jamil Smyth-Secka Kyle Klimson Main
James Saunders Mr. Mcgilick Recurring
Maria Angelico Miss Tan Recurring
Hannah Jonhston Amelia Fitzgerald Recurring
Clarke Richards Mr. Barker Recurring
Madeleine Jevic Miss Helen Parides Recurring
Eliza Ong Poppy Banks Recurring
Soraya Briggs Max Recurring
Matilda Hardwick Caitlin Recurring
Sienna Foggie Esther McCarthy Recurring
Ayiana Ncube Ruby Recurring
Marita Wilcox Miss Maniaci Recurring
Hannah Leigh Struckett Pixie Recurring
Milla Bishop Miranda Recurring
Zakariah Rahhali Mario Recurring
Ethan Pham Diet Recurring
Zac Mineo James Recurring
Jack Goodsell Archie Recurring
Bailey McMillian-Power Justin Recurring

Production

Development

In June 2018, ABC and Screen Australia greenlights The InBESTigators, along with Hardball, 100% Wolf and a second season of Mustangs FC.[3]

Casting

According to Butler and Hope, there were 715 individual auditions for the main cast.[4] In June 2018, was announced the cast for the series, starring Abby Bergman as Ava Andrikides, Aston Droomer as Ezra Banks, Anna Cooke as Maudie Miller and Jamil Smyth-Secka as Kyle Klimson in the main cast. Also, in recurring roles, has Maria Angelico as Miss Tan, James Saunders as Mr. McGilick, Hannah Johnston as Amelia, Clarke Richards as Mr. Barker, Madeleine Jevic as Miss. Parides, Eliza Ong as Poppy Banks, Soraya Briggs as Max, Matilda Hardwick as Caitlin, Sienna Foggie as Esther, Ayiana Ncube as Ruby, Marita Wilcox as Miss Maniaci, Hannah Leigh Struckett as Pixie, Milla Bishop as Miranda, Zakariah Rahhali as Mario, Ethan Pham as Diet, Bailey McMilian-Power as Justin, Monty Henderson as Toby, which first appeared in the second season, and Jack Goodsell as Archie.[5]

Filming

The series was filmed beginning on 9 July 2018 at Moorabbin Primary School in Melbourne, Australia, and was pretended to end in December 2018, but filming officially wrapped in November 2018. Dan Maxwell acts as photography director, with Simon McCutcheon acting as production designer.[6]

Episodes
See also: List of The InBESTigators episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [7]Directed by [nb 2]Written by [nb 2]Original air date [8]Australia viewers
(millions)
11"The Case of the Curious New Girl"Wayne HopeRobyn ButlerJune 21, 2019 (2019-06-21)[9][10]N/A
When Maudie solves a playground robbery on her first day at school, she and new friends Ezra, Ava and Kyle create The Inbestigators Detective Agency.
22"The Case of the Disappearing Deliveries"Robyn ButlerRobyn ButlerJune 22, 2019 (2019-06-22)N/A
When Sophie's online shopping parcels are delivered but never received she hires the Inbestigators to track them down.
33"The Case of the Missing Solar System"Wayne HopeRobyn ButlerJune 23, 2019 (2019-06-23)N/A
Pixie is horrified when her solar system diorama goes missing, even more so when Miss Tan accuses her of not doing the assignment. Kyle thinks he’s tracked it down when he pulls a crumpled diorama out of the bin, but Pixie is adamant that it’s not hers - she painted all her planets pink and sparkly. Upset that no one believes that she has for once done her homework, Pixie is desperate for Maudie to find out what happened.
44"The Case of the Distressed Dancer"Wayne HopeRobyn ButlerJune 24, 2019 (2019-06-24)N/A
When his dance troupes concert routine is sabotaged, Zac hires the Inbestigators to find out who at the dance academy is responsible.
55"The Case of the Sleepover Secret"Robyn ButlerRobyn ButlerJune 25, 2019 (2019-06-25)N/A
Pixie is furious when something she privately told Ava is made public, so Maudie resolves to find out how Pixies secret got out.
66"The Case of the Big Mouth Challenge"Wayne HopeWayne Hope, Lisa Marie Corso, Molly Daniels, Jayden Masciulli and Robyn ButlerJune 26, 2019 (2019-06-26)[11]N/A
Ben, the new boy, seems lonely so Maudie and Ezra sit with him at lunchtime. Ben’s not very good at making friends, or conversation, but after Ezra discovers Ben can fit an entire Disc Chockey – a very large chocolate biscuit - in his mouth without breaking it, Ben is suddenly the most popular boy in school. His fame only grows when he mounts the Disc Chockey Challenge to see who else can do his trick, but watching the competition makes Maudie feel suspicious.
77"The Case of the Pestering Prank Caller"Wayne HopeRobyn ButlerJune 27, 2019 (2019-06-27)N/A
When a prank caller targets Ezra and his neighbours, Maudie believes the Inbestigators can track down who is making the mystery calls.
88"The Case of the Spoiled Sports Day"Wayne HopeRobyn ButlerJune 28, 2019 (2019-06-28)N/A
At the sports carnival, Kyle loses his temper when he doesn't win a race, but Maudie suspects there might be more to Kyle's unexpected loss.
99"The Case of the Exciting Excursion"Ian ReiserJayden Masciulli and Robyn ButlerJune 29, 2019 (2019-06-29)N/A
The Grade Five rock climbing excursion is jeopardised when the permission slips go missing, but Maudie suspects they may have been hidden on purpose.
1010"The Case of the Very Lost Notebook"Wayne HopeRobyn ButlerJune 30, 2019 (2019-06-30)N/A
When Maudie loses her beloved notebook Ezra, Ava and Kyle band together to reunite their friend with her most prized possession.
1111"The Case of the Suspect Sprinkler"Ian ReiserRobyn Butler and Lisa Marie CorsoJuly 1, 2019 (2019-07-01)N/A
When the timer on Mrs Maniaci's sprinkler system is tampered with before the 'Garden of the Year'; competition, the Inbestigators must track down the culprit.
1212"The Case of the Peculiar Pop Quiz"Nina BuxtonRobyn ButlerJuly 2, 2019 (2019-07-02)N/A
Maudie and Ava infiltrate Mr Barker's grade six class to watch his famous pop quiz, where Maudie uncovers a crime.
1313"The Case of the Science Sabotage"Robyn ButlerRobyn ButlerJuly 3, 2019 (2019-07-03)N/A
When Annie's science fair experiment is stolen, the Inbestigators must track it down before the judging commences.
1414"The Case of the Wrecked Rehearsal"Wayne HopeMolly DanielsJuly 4, 2019 (2019-07-04)N/A
When Esther is injured in the dress rehearsal of the Grade Five play, Maudie must figure out who caused the mishap before showtime.
1515"The Case of the Perplexing Painting"Ian ReiserMolly Daniels and Jayden MasciulliJuly 5, 2019 (2019-07-05)N/A
When Esther's painting is damaged during the Art Show, Maudie has trouble proving who ruined the artwork without finding the evidence first.
1616"The Case of the Turtle Thief"Nina BuxtonLisa Marie Corso and Molly DanielsJuly 6, 2019 (2019-07-06)N/A
When a turtle is stolen from Ryan's back yard, Ezra offers the agency's services but Maudie is convinced something about the robbery doesn't add up.
1717"The Case of the Misplaced Mug"Ian ReiserMaddy and Robyn ButlerJuly 7, 2019 (2019-07-07)N/A
Mr McGillick is upset after he loses his precious 'World's Best Principal' mug so Ezra makes it his personal mission to get it back.
1818"The Case of the Sad Little Sister"Robyn ButlerRobyn ButlerJuly 8, 2019 (2019-07-08)N/A
Poppy loses her school hat and is forced to sit in the shelter shed, where Maudie discovers there may be more to the missing hat.
1919"The Case of the Disoriented Drone"Wayne HopeMolly DanielsJuly 9, 2019 (2019-07-09)N/A
After a little girl's drone is blown away, the Inbestigators must prove that a boy in a neighbouring house has claimed it as his own.
2020"The Case of the Baffling Birthday"Robyn ButlerRobyn Butler and Wayne HopeJuly 10, 2019 (2019-07-10)N/A
Ava wants to give Maudie her first proper birthday party but Maudie gets sidetracked by a mystery.

Reception

Critical response

Libbie Doherty, Head of Children's at ABC Television, said “The Inbestigators launched to great excitement and quickly secured the #1 crown for our Winter School Holiday “Best Fest” on ABC ME. Meanwhile, in the US, Decider Magazine's Joel Keller said he has been surprised how funny the show is for adults, too.

For Melbourne production company Gristmill, The Inbestigators marks their first Netflix Original production. Following the international success of their series Little Lunch, which Netflix acquired for major English language territories, this latest offering has already proven to satisfy and build on their loyal fanbase worldwide.[12]

Notes
  1. Episodes are released every day.
  2. Crew information is taken from the credits.

References
  1. "Cast announced for kid's series The InBESTigators". tvtonight.com.au. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  2. "ABC greenlights 'The InBESTigators'". if.com.au. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  3. Groves, Don (2 July 2018). "ABC greenlights 'The InBESTigators,' 'Hardball,' '100% Wolf,' more 'Mustangs FC'". IF Magazine. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  4. "The InBESTigators are on the Case!". ACTF. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  5. Knox, David (29 June 2018). "Cast announced for kid's series The InBESTigators". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  6. "The Inbestigators (2019) - The Screen Guide - Screen Australia".
  7. "The InBESTigators: ABC Iview".
  8. "The InBESTigators - Season 1 - IMDb".
  9. "Airdate: The Inbestigators". tvtonight.com.au. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  10. "New Series The Inbestigators Debuts June 21". Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  11. "What's On TV? Monday 24 June – Sunday 30 June". Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  12. "The Inbestigators Goes Global on Netflix". Retrieved 2 October 2019.

The InBESTigators on IMDb

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