Stand-up and sketch show airing next year

Urzila Carlson is to star in her own series mixing stand-up and sketches.

The show – called simply Urzila – is being made for Australia’s ABC, where it will air next year.

A number of other comics are in the supporting cast, which comprises Bron Lewis, Andy Saunders, Carlo Ritchie, Anisa Nandaula, Sam Pang and Julia Morris.   

New Zealander Carlson said: ‘I always hoped I would get the call but prayed I wouldn’t…. the call asking me to deliver a sketch show that Australians can watch and not slag off in the comment section. Panic set in but then I calmed down and remembered I know a lot of great comics and some very funny people and we can do this.

‘We sat around a table and spent most of the budget on snacks and coffees to write my standup into sketches. We then proceeded for the next five weeks to record like our lives depended on it and we snot-bubble laughed our way through the takes to bring you hopefully one of the funniest sketch shows you’ve seen in the last week or so.’

There is no news yet on any UK brodcaster carrying the show, but Carlson is known to comedy fans here. She is currently on tour in England, playing Reading, Peterborough, Nottingham and Birmingham in the coming days.

Urzila is being made by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia. Johnny Lowry, its head of original content, said: ‘Urzila is comedy at its most inventive. It’s smart, cheeky, and full of surprises. 

‘Urzila Carlson’s voice is unmistakable, and this series gives her the perfect stage to showcase her brilliance alongside a stellar ensemble.’

And Rachel Millar, ABC’s head of entertainment said: ‘We're thrilled to welcome Urzila to the ABC. She’s an absolute star, and her cheeky, laugh-out-loud stand-up has long struck a chord with Australian audiences. We know this clever new format will do the same.

The writing team on the show comprises Joel Slack-Smith, Penny Greenhalgh, Cameron James, Emma Holland, Laura Hughes and Richard Thorp and it is directed by Henry Stone and Josh Thompson. 

Published: 20 Nov 2025