Summer Heights High’s Chris Lilley to make comeback with 10-part Netflix series

Comeback: Chris Lilley has landed a 10-part Netflix show
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Jennifer Ruby6 March 2018

Summer Heights High creator and star Chris Lilley is heading over to Netflix after landing a new 10-part series.

The Australian comedian has a cult following in the UK thanks to the popularity of the high school documentary send-up and spin-off, Ja'mie: Private School Girl, in which he plays multiple characters.

Now Netflix has commissioned a brand new comedy show from Lilley and his long-time producing partner Laura Waters, although all details are being kept tightly under wraps.

The global streaming service recently acquired the Australian and New Zealand rights to Lilley’s shows following a number of Australian commissions in recent months.

Jonah: Chris Lilley with co-stars

The new show will start shooting later this month in Queensland, and is expected to give more than a $6 million boost to the local economy.

“I am delighted to have enticed Chris Lilley and producer Laura Waters to Queensland,” said Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of the Queensland territory.

Netflix - In pictures

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“The series will employ up to 250 Queensland cast and extras, plus around 100 Queensland crew. The project will also support two local screen practitioners, who will have the opportunity to work on the series to further develop their professional skills.”

Despite the popularity of his shows, Lilley has faced criticism in the past for racial slurs used in his Summer Height’s High spin-off, Angry Boys.

He was also forced to apologise last year after he re-posted a spoof music video to his Instragam account which included a racial slur and showed Lilley in blackface.

The video, which was created back in 2014, was reposted less than a week after the death of indigenous teen Elijah Doughty, prompting fans to slam Lilley for his tactlessness.

Lilley later deleted the post and apologised, saying: “My social media pages are run for me to give fans nostalgic pics or clips from previous TV shows. I apologise for any hurt caused by this misinterpretation.”

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