September 15, 2025 • 8 mins
TV Reload: Miranda Tapsell & Gwilym Lee From Top End Wedding to Top End Bub
What happens when I start with discussing Justin Bieber to the cast of Top End Bub. You’ll find out in this week’s episode and trust me, Miranda Tapsell and Gwilym Lee were more than happy to play along!
In this hilarious and heartfelt chat, Miranda opens up about parenting, teaching her daughter about Aboriginal culture, while Gwilym reflects on the unexpected joy of turning a hit film into a TV series.
We dive into why Top End Bub starts in such an emotional place. How grief and humour intertwine in storytelling and why Darwin is one of the most special “characters” in this universe.
If you loved Top End Wedding, you’re going to be swept up in this series and this conversation will make you laugh, watch this series and maybe even start planning a trip to the Northern Territory.
Stream Top End Bub now on Prime Video and tune in to this episode of TV Reload for the behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's in the news today, but it was actually on
TV Reload the podcasts deep that line. Hey guys, welcome
back to TV Reload. I'm your host Benjamin Norris, and
today we are celebrating the brand new Amazon Prime Australia
original series Top End bub This heartwarming eight part series
is the follow up to the twenty nineteen box office
smash Top ten Wedding. Now. I accidentally saw this movie
(00:23):
by taking my mum to the movies. We missed the
movie that we were going to see and we ended
up seeing Top End Wedding and absolutely loved it. It
reunites us with Lauren laed by Miranda top Cell, and
Ned played by gwillelm Lee, and they juggle marriage, family expectations,
and the hilarity of city life while keeping their Northern
Territory roots close to heart. I've watched the first few
(00:45):
episodes and I can tell you it's packed with laughs, romance,
and heartfelt moments that feel unmistakably Australian. Today, I'll be
joined by Miranda Tapsell and gwillelm Lee to talk about
their return, the creative process, and why Top End Bob
will connect with audiences everywhere. So, guys, thank you for
tuning back into TV realload and I really hope you
(01:07):
look forward to this chat. People will tune in too,
want to hear about top End bub and I'll be like,
why was he talking to them about Justin Bieber.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I think he thinks it's called top end Bieber. It's
not all got it wrong exactly.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I love this concept.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Top end Bieber Bieber not bad idea.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
That adopt Justin Bieber and or just at least get
it to the Northern Territory, come and he can help. Yeah,
forget the cameo the main character. The whole way through, my.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Three year old only just started to like understand that
like all of the te wee songs that I teach her,
and like all the nursery rhymes and all the stories
I read to her are what make her aboriginal because
I said, yeah, you're Aboriginal, and there's like lots of
little events at school that kind of celebrate Aboriginal culture. Anyway,
(02:01):
she just has now gotten into the habit of asking
everyone like, oh, you know, is this character, like is
Spider Man aboriginal? And I'm just lying and saying yes.
So when a favorite pop star asked like she asks
if her favorite pop stars Aboriginal.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I'm just going to say yes, yeah, Baba's Evance.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I'm lying to your daughter at this point. Is the
right idea parenting?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah, that's basically yeah, parenting. Yeah, guys.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
I just want to say, how exciting to be able
to tell this story in long form compared to being
able to just go in and see that at the movies.
It was such a great film and then now we
get to explore these characters. What was your reaction to
being asked to come back and do the series?
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Well, you were writing it, so yeah, you asked me.
It was great. It was great. It was unexpected because
the film kind of existed in its own right and
we just thought that was it as a beautiful memory
and something that we shared with the world and they
took it to their hearts. But to find out we
were doing the series was I was thrilled because I
had such a great time shooting the film, and I
(03:06):
was so excited to be reunited with this what has
become a family with this like great, big, beautiful family,
and to continue the story in a slightly unexpected way.
I think that's what's what I loved about the work
that you and Josh had done turning this into a
spin off TV series is that it doesn't pick up
in the way that you would expect. You might expect
it to be. You know, the married couple are going
to try and have a baby, and then she's going
(03:27):
to fall pregnant, and then they have the baby and dad.
But you know, we pick up with the story five
years into their marriage when they've decided not to have
a baby. And I think that in itself as a
starting point is quite unique and unexpected. And you know,
the whole conversation about child free couples is something that
we don't hear much of, and that's the premise for
(03:48):
the whole series. And then and then obviously we get
into this discussion about kinship and the idea of a
greater family, of a bigger version of familihood is a
really beautiful part of this next iteration of the top
end story.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
What I found, mirand did you know, what I thought
was you know, really interesting about it was I was
a fan of the movie. I kind of felt like
I knew what I was turning up to watch. But
what I didn't expect was to be in tears, like
actual tears with the first episode. And I think what
you've done an amazing job of is making these characters very,
very real and very accessible. Were you worried about kicking
(04:27):
off with something that's so emotional to start with? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Absolutely, But I took comfort in the fact that, like
all of my favorite rom coms come with a bit
of tragedy, Like for me, four weddings in a funeral,
Garrett's passing is heartbreaking, you know.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
But even when you love the characters though, right, do
you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Like you exactly when you're invested in them, but also
like I you know, the really powerful rom coms also,
like with my best friend's wedding, Julia Roberts doesn't get
the man, you know what I mean, Like the way
she expected her life to pan out wasn't what she'd
expected and she kind of has to live her life
(05:09):
being okay with that, and you know, like I just
I just thought, like, yeah, there's some really great terrain
here to explore. When you know, like when life throws
curveballs at you and you're not ready.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
For them, that's often what you find humor as well,
isn't it. Absolutely The way that we deal with really
difficult moments in our lives and in our families is
through humor.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
It's an interesting one because my best friend's sister passed
away a few years ago, and during that time, there
was some moments that we had these big laughs and
it was weird because we were like feeling so guilty
about laughter. But it only dawned on me at that
time how close the emotion can be.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
In some ways. It's how you keep the memory of
the person alive, isn't It is their spirit and the
joy of their life and of their memories. And you know,
grief is a huge thing in this story as well,
and grief takes many forms, and they're all just trying
to grapple with that throughout the story.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Absolutely, And grief isn't linear either, you know what I mean.
Like you, the world doesn't stop, so you keep moving
with the world, and then all of a sudden, like
something will pop up that makes you remember the person
that's gone, and then you're sad all over again, you
know what I mean. But that's you're not existing in
that emotion like the whole time you're grieving, you know,
(06:29):
like you do have to get through your everyday life
as well, you.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Know, makes this story extremely relatable. Before you go, I
really want to talk about my favorite thing about this
entire universe, and that is Darwin. I was in Darwin
when I watched this series, just coincidentally, just so you know.
And I loved the fact that so many of the
locations were places that I was going to and I
love Darwin. How do we get more people to go
(06:53):
to Darwin?
Speaker 2 (06:55):
It's a really special place. Yeah, yeah, it's kind of
It's a current.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
That I did I think it would be, though, do
you know what I mean? Like I feel so strange
and saying this, Like I've lived in Australia, I'm born
here my whole life, and didn't end up going to
Darwin until I was in my mid thirties, and then
I have been back there so many times, and it
is such a wonderful place. It's like nothing else that
we have in this country.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Oh absolutely, it's I got told when we screened the
film in New York that all these Aussies were like,
oh my god. I immediately got homesick, even though I've
never been to Darwin, because that particular landscape is there's
nothing like it in the world, So I just knew
that's that's Australia, that's home, you know, like it just
(07:41):
I guess like it's such an important character to the
series and to the film, and I'm like, I'm so
glad we could feature it so heavily in the series.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Well, I'm invested, I'm in the universe. I've run out
of time, and I just want to say to both
of you, I have been in your audience for a
very long time with your career. It's been so exciting
to have you both back together with these particular characters
telling Australian story. So thank you, and I hope anyone
listening to my podcast today hears us having a conversation
about this very briefly and watches the show.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
I have to let you go at zero. At least
I get to say goodbye to you. I'm like Justin
Bieber enjoy chatting to the media. Guys, I have to
let you go, but thank you very much, and thanks
to the team behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Thanks very much.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Take care
It's in the news today, but it was actually on
TV Reload the podcasts deep that line. Hey guys, welcome
back to TV Reload. I'm your host Benjamin Norris, and
today we are celebrating the brand new Amazon Prime Australia
original series Top End bub This heartwarming eight part series
is the follow up to the twenty nineteen box office
smash Top ten Wedding. Now. I accidentally saw this movie
(00:23):
by taking my mum to the movies. We missed the
movie that we were going to see and we ended
up seeing Top End Wedding and absolutely loved it. It
reunites us with Lauren laed by Miranda top Cell, and
Ned played by gwillelm Lee, and they juggle marriage, family expectations,
and the hilarity of city life while keeping their Northern
Territory roots close to heart. I've watched the first few
(00:45):
episodes and I can tell you it's packed with laughs, romance,
and heartfelt moments that feel unmistakably Australian. Today, I'll be
joined by Miranda Tapsell and gwillelm Lee to talk about
their return, the creative process, and why Top End Bob
will connect with audiences everywhere. So, guys, thank you for
tuning back into TV realload and I really hope you
(01:07):
look forward to this chat. People will tune in too,
want to hear about top End bub and I'll be like,
why was he talking to them about Justin Bieber.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
I think he thinks it's called top end Bieber. It's
not all got it wrong exactly.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
I love this concept.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Top end Bieber Bieber not bad idea.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
That adopt Justin Bieber and or just at least get
it to the Northern Territory, come and he can help. Yeah,
forget the cameo the main character. The whole way through, my.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Three year old only just started to like understand that
like all of the te wee songs that I teach her,
and like all the nursery rhymes and all the stories
I read to her are what make her aboriginal because
I said, yeah, you're Aboriginal, and there's like lots of
little events at school that kind of celebrate Aboriginal culture. Anyway,
(02:01):
she just has now gotten into the habit of asking
everyone like, oh, you know, is this character, like is
Spider Man aboriginal? And I'm just lying and saying yes.
So when a favorite pop star asked like she asks
if her favorite pop stars Aboriginal.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I'm just going to say yes, yeah, Baba's Evance.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I'm lying to your daughter at this point. Is the
right idea parenting?
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah, that's basically yeah, parenting. Yeah, guys.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
I just want to say, how exciting to be able
to tell this story in long form compared to being
able to just go in and see that at the movies.
It was such a great film and then now we
get to explore these characters. What was your reaction to
being asked to come back and do the series?
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Well, you were writing it, so yeah, you asked me.
It was great. It was great. It was unexpected because
the film kind of existed in its own right and
we just thought that was it as a beautiful memory
and something that we shared with the world and they
took it to their hearts. But to find out we
were doing the series was I was thrilled because I
had such a great time shooting the film, and I
(03:06):
was so excited to be reunited with this what has
become a family with this like great, big, beautiful family,
and to continue the story in a slightly unexpected way.
I think that's what's what I loved about the work
that you and Josh had done turning this into a
spin off TV series is that it doesn't pick up
in the way that you would expect. You might expect
it to be. You know, the married couple are going
to try and have a baby, and then she's going
(03:27):
to fall pregnant, and then they have the baby and dad.
But you know, we pick up with the story five
years into their marriage when they've decided not to have
a baby. And I think that in itself as a
starting point is quite unique and unexpected. And you know,
the whole conversation about child free couples is something that
we don't hear much of, and that's the premise for
(03:48):
the whole series. And then and then obviously we get
into this discussion about kinship and the idea of a
greater family, of a bigger version of familihood is a
really beautiful part of this next iteration of the top
end story.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
What I found, mirand did you know, what I thought
was you know, really interesting about it was I was
a fan of the movie. I kind of felt like
I knew what I was turning up to watch. But
what I didn't expect was to be in tears, like
actual tears with the first episode. And I think what
you've done an amazing job of is making these characters very,
very real and very accessible. Were you worried about kicking
(04:27):
off with something that's so emotional to start with? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Absolutely, But I took comfort in the fact that, like
all of my favorite rom coms come with a bit
of tragedy, Like for me, four weddings in a funeral,
Garrett's passing is heartbreaking, you know.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
But even when you love the characters though, right, do
you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Like you exactly when you're invested in them, but also
like I you know, the really powerful rom coms also,
like with my best friend's wedding, Julia Roberts doesn't get
the man, you know what I mean, Like the way
she expected her life to pan out wasn't what she'd
expected and she kind of has to live her life
(05:09):
being okay with that, and you know, like I just
I just thought, like, yeah, there's some really great terrain
here to explore. When you know, like when life throws
curveballs at you and you're not ready.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
For them, that's often what you find humor as well,
isn't it. Absolutely The way that we deal with really
difficult moments in our lives and in our families is
through humor.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
It's an interesting one because my best friend's sister passed
away a few years ago, and during that time, there
was some moments that we had these big laughs and
it was weird because we were like feeling so guilty
about laughter. But it only dawned on me at that
time how close the emotion can be.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
In some ways. It's how you keep the memory of
the person alive, isn't It is their spirit and the
joy of their life and of their memories. And you know,
grief is a huge thing in this story as well,
and grief takes many forms, and they're all just trying
to grapple with that throughout the story.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Absolutely, And grief isn't linear either, you know what I mean.
Like you, the world doesn't stop, so you keep moving
with the world, and then all of a sudden, like
something will pop up that makes you remember the person
that's gone, and then you're sad all over again, you
know what I mean. But that's you're not existing in
that emotion like the whole time you're grieving, you know,
(06:29):
like you do have to get through your everyday life
as well, you.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Know, makes this story extremely relatable. Before you go, I
really want to talk about my favorite thing about this
entire universe, and that is Darwin. I was in Darwin
when I watched this series, just coincidentally, just so you know.
And I loved the fact that so many of the
locations were places that I was going to and I
love Darwin. How do we get more people to go
(06:53):
to Darwin?
Speaker 2 (06:55):
It's a really special place. Yeah, yeah, it's kind of
It's a current.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
That I did I think it would be, though, do
you know what I mean? Like I feel so strange
and saying this, Like I've lived in Australia, I'm born
here my whole life, and didn't end up going to
Darwin until I was in my mid thirties, and then
I have been back there so many times, and it
is such a wonderful place. It's like nothing else that
we have in this country.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Oh absolutely, it's I got told when we screened the
film in New York that all these Aussies were like,
oh my god. I immediately got homesick, even though I've
never been to Darwin, because that particular landscape is there's
nothing like it in the world, So I just knew
that's that's Australia, that's home, you know, like it just
(07:41):
I guess like it's such an important character to the
series and to the film, and I'm like, I'm so
glad we could feature it so heavily in the series.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Well, I'm invested, I'm in the universe. I've run out
of time, and I just want to say to both
of you, I have been in your audience for a
very long time with your career. It's been so exciting
to have you both back together with these particular characters
telling Australian story. So thank you, and I hope anyone
listening to my podcast today hears us having a conversation
about this very briefly and watches the show.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (08:17):
I have to let you go at zero. At least
I get to say goodbye to you. I'm like Justin
Bieber enjoy chatting to the media. Guys, I have to
let you go, but thank you very much, and thanks
to the team behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Thanks very much.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Take care
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