If you have been missing the dark comedic chaos of a show like Barry, a new series has arrived to fill that void. Sunny Nights, starring Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden, premiered in Australia late last year and is now set to make its debut in the United States. The show follows two American siblings who move to Sydney to launch a spray tan business, only to find themselves tangled up with mobsters, loan sharks, and an exploding crocodile.
The Premise: A Business Trip Gone Very Wrong
Martin Marvin (Will Forte) and his sister Vicki Marvin (D’Arcy Carden) are entrepreneurs with a product called Tansform, a spray tan-in-a-can aimed at cancer-conscious Australians . Martin, a former risk analyst, hopes the trip will also help him win back his estranged wife Joyce (Ra Chapman), who has moved to Sydney . Vicki, impulsive and scrappy, sees the venture as her latest get-rich-quick scheme.
Their plans go off the rails almost immediately. After a one-night stand with a charming woman named Susi (Jessica De Gouw), Martin discovers he was set up. Susi is a con artist, and her boss Kash (Miritana Hughes) demands $10,000 to keep the footage private . Desperate and broke, the Marvins make a series of terrible decisions that lead them straight into Sydney’s criminal underworld. By the end of the first episode, they are involved in a cover-up involving a crocodile that has eaten more than just their hopes for a legitimate business .
Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden: A Perfect Sibling Match
The heart of Sunny Nights rests squarely on the shoulders of its two leads, and the chemistry between Forte and Carden is undeniable . Despite having over 200 combined acting credits, this project marked the first time they had properly worked together in person .
Forte brings his signature blend of meek desperation to Martin, a decent man who makes increasingly poor choices. Carden shines as Vicki, a bull in a china shop who creates chaos but remains fiercely loyal to her brother . Their dynamic feels authentic, with a natural sibling rhythm that grounds the show even as the plot becomes more absurd.
The actors relocated with their families to Sydney for the winter shoot and have spoken fondly of the experience. Forte called it a “dream job,” while Carden noted that nothing has ever “blown us away the way Australia has” . Director and showrunner Trent O’Donnell acted as their guide, taking them to rugby matches and on hikes in the Blue Mountains .
A Stellar Australian Cast
Surrounding the American leads is a roster of Australian talent that adds depth and authenticity. Rachel House ( Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople ) delivers a menacing yet layered performance as Mony, the vengeful sister of the gangster the Marvins accidentally kill .
Former NRL star Willie Mason makes his acting debut as Terry, an ex-rugby player turned standover man who develops cognitive issues from on-field concussions. Critics have praised Mason as a “complete natural,” with one review noting he brings “humanity” to the role .
The supporting cast also includes Jessica De Gouw as the conflicted con artist Susi, Ra Chapman as Martin’s journalist ex-wife, and Megan Wilding as a wildlife wrangler who becomes an amateur detective after finding a severed hand in a crocodile’s stomach . Patrick Brammall, star of Colin From Accounts, also makes a special appearance .
Critical Reception: Criminally Good Fun
Reviews for Sunny Nights have been largely positive, with critics praising its ability to balance comedy and crime. The Guardian called it a “sassy Australian comedy” that is “criminally good fun,” noting that the show is fundamentally a crime story told with a light comedic touch . The publication highlighted the “snap and spark” between the leads and praised the “deliciously skew-wiff” tone.
ScreenHub Australia described it as a “colourful take on Sydney’s underbelly,” emphasizing that Forte’s “low-key desperation” grounds the story . The review compared the series to other heightened crime dramas like Apple’s Bad Monkey and the works of Elmore Leonard.
Some critics noted minor pacing issues, suggesting the eight-episode arc might have been tighter as a five or six-episode season . However, most agreed that when the show fires on all cylinders, it is a delight to watch. The Guardian review pointed out that the hour-long episode format allows the crime narrative to breathe, differentiating it from typical 30-minute comedies .
From Sydney to the World
Sunny Nights was created by British-American writing duo Nick Keetch and Ty Freer and developed by Trent O’Donnell . It premiered on Australian streaming service Stan on December 26, 2025, with all eight episodes released at once . The series is produced by Jungle Entertainment (the company behind No Activity) and Echo Lake Entertainment (known for The Great) .
International distributor Cineflix Rights has already sold the series to major partners including ITV in the UK, ProSieben in Germany, and Crave in Canada . Now, American audiences will finally get their chance.
Coming to Hulu in March 2026
Hulu has acquired the U.S. rights to Sunny Nights, with the series set to premiere on March 11, 2026 . The streaming service will release all eight episodes at once, matching the binge model used in Australia.
In a statement about the U.S. launch, Carden said: “I love this show, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it. Will Forte, Trent O’Donnell, and I became blood brothers for life while filming in Australia” . Forte added that he is “thrilled that the show turned out to be as fun and funny as it was to make”.
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Filling the Barry Void
Industry observers have noted that Sunny Nights could be a “worthy successor” to shows like Barry, Beef, and Bad Sisters . Like those series, it blends dark humor with genuine dramatic stakes and follows deeply flawed characters who make terrible choices.
James Durie, head of scripted at Cineflix Rights, told Broadcast magazine: “Having two such fantastic actors in Will and D’Arcy, the comedy always delivers, but not at the expense of the jeopardy” . He pointed to elements like an exploding crocodile and a Mickey Mouse chest branding as examples of the show’s unique blend of absurdity and danger.
For fans of dark crime comedies, Sunny Nights offers eight episodes of chaos, strong performances, and a distinctly Australian flavor. As one critic put it, the show is “about as deep as a layer of fake tan” – exactly what you want from summer viewing .
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