Picture Credit: SBS
Netflix has swooped in to acquire the international rights to the highly anticipated Australian drama series The Airport Chaplain. Boasting a stellar cast led by The Lord of the Rings and Slow Horses star Hugo Weaving, the eight-part series lands on Netflix globally in August 2026. Here is your comprehensive guide to everything we know so far about The Airport Chaplain.
As first reported by Deadline at the tailend of July, Netflix has struck a deal for the worldwide rights (excluding Australia) to The Airport Chaplain. The series was originally commissioned by Australian broadcaster SBS and is produced by the Sydney-based production house Wooden Horse (The Clearing).
In a landmark move for an SBS Original, Netflix will launch the show day-and-date with its Australian broadcast, introducing this uniquely heartwarming and chaotic story to audiences in over 190 countries. It begins dropping on Netflix day-and-date with Australia’s broadcast on August 26th with episodes 1 and 2, with a weekly rollout from there on out. The title does not have Netflix Original branding despite being exclusive.
This is the biggest deal we’ve seen between SBS and Netflix to date. While the streamer does license some of their titles, like Alone Australia and, going back further, titles like Danger 5, Small Time Gangster and The Mission, those have been relatively small in scale.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the upcoming drama.
What is the plot of The Airport Chaplain?
Set within the heightened limbo of a bustling international airport, the series follows Tobias Wallace, a fast-moving, unconventional airport chaplain. Scruffy and benevolent in his hi-vis vest, Tobias’s phone never stops ringing, and he’s known to keep a drawer full of cash and bend the rules to handle the terminal’s daily crises.
Tobias believes the airport couldn’t function without his help, but his methods soon clash with the ambitious new terminal manager, Mira. Viewing Tobias as a walking liability rather than a savior, Mira marks his role for redundancy. However, as the duo is forced to navigate overworked baggage handlers, security breaches, joyful reunions, and grief-stricken families, Mira’s perspective on the chaplain begins to change.
Interestingly, the series is grounded in a true story! Wooden Horse co-founder and series co-creator Jude Troy was inspired to make the show after a chance real-life encounter with a Melbourne Airport chaplain who helped her recover a lost handbag.
Who is in the cast of The Airport Chaplain?
The series features an absolutely massive ensemble cast of Australian heavyweights and rising stars.
Leading the series are Hugo Weaving (The Lord of the Rings, Slow Horses) as the titular chaplain Tobias Wallace, and Shabana Azeez (breakout star of The Pitt) as his formidable boss, Mira.
- Hugo Weaving as Tobias Wallace
- Shabana Azeez as Mira
- Erroll Shand (The Twelve) as Lex Pascoe
- Claudia Karvan (Bump)
- Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High)
- Michael Logo (Colin From Accounts)
- Nicholas Denton (Dangerous Liaisons)
- Claude Jabbour (Last King of the Cross)
- George Mason (The Power of the Dog)
- Brenna Harding (Puberty Blues)
- Priscilla Doueihy (Lioness)
- Ras-Samuel Welda’abzgi (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)
- Kavitha Anandasivam (The Hunting)
- Miranda Anwar (Apple Cider Vinegar) as Sister Dolores
- Fanny Hanusin (Wentworth)
- Echo Palo (The Correspondent)
- Jackson Tozer (The Newsreader)
- Elias Anton (Of an Age)
- Arka Das (Lion)
- Hamish Michael (The Twelve) as Troy Cameron
- Victoria Haralabidou (Brides) as Liz Wallace
Picture: SBS
Who is behind the series?
The Airport Chaplain is co-created and executive produced by Elise McCredie (The Clearing, Stateless) and Jude Troy (Mother & Son, The Clearing).
The writers’ room includes McCredie alongside Sarah Bassiuoni (Critical Incident), Mithila Gupta (Four Years Later), and Vidya Rajan (Why Are You Like This).
Directing duties for the eight episodes are split between Bonnie Moir (Exposure) and Tig Terera (Swift Street).
The show is produced by Wooden Horse in association with SBS, with major production investment from Screen Australia and support from VicScreen. Executive producers also include Richard Finlayson for Wooden Horse and Nakul Legha for SBS. Alex Cameron serves as co-producer.
And if you’re already anticipating wanting more after the first eight episodes, you’re in luck: development is already underway on Season 2!
Are you looking forward to checking in to The Airport Chaplain on Netflix this August? Let us know in the comments down below!
