This Hit Australian Show Has a 100 Percent on Rotten Tomatoes—and Season 2 Deserves the Same Applause

Disclaimer: I’m only a few episodes in, but I’ve been eagerly awaiting the drop date—and following along for any and all updates from the show’s co-creators and co-stars, Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, who also happen to be married IRL. Right from the kick-off, the second season is already as sharp, funny and brilliant as the first one—and spoiler alert—it still includes Colin the dog, despite Gordon (Brammall) and Ashley (Dyer) having made the painful decision to re-home him at the end of season one.

A second season comes with perks and pitfalls, of course. For one thing, the premise of the show is now clear. If you’ve yet to watch season one, Colin from Accounts is about two total strangers whose paths cross serendipitously at a crosswalk, then become unexpectedly intertwined when a bit of harmless flirting—a nipple flash!—leads to a distracted hit and run involving a dog (Colin). For anyone thinking, no way do I want to invest in a show where an animal is so carelessly hurt, rest assured that Colin is OK! But this moment kicks off the necessary meet cute that connects Ashley and Gordon, who embark on a costly co-parenting journey and are determined to care for the collarless dog.

But that’s the joy: With season two, everyone (the plot, the characters, the tone) is familiar and, given the cliffhanger of season one (we repeat, the decision to rehome Colin), there’s a clear conflict and agenda—Ashley and Gordon are determined to get their dog back. This is also where the humor-filled banter picks up, including the scene where the pair go so far as to stalk the child of Colin’s new owners as she walks him in a nearby park. (They quickly and hilariously abort, noting—oh dear god—they’ve crossed a line.)

As for the pitfalls, that’s just it—the second season slump just doesn’t seem to affect Colin from Accounts. I found myself jumping right back in, not just with Ashley and Gordon, but the supporting cast, too. Ashley’s mom and boyfriend (played by Helen Thomson and Darren Gilshenan) as well as Gordon’s colleagues at the micro-brewery (Genevieve Hegney and Michael Logo); even Ashley’s work wife at the hospital (played by Emma Harvie) are now familiar players and with bigger roles to carry out in season two. (Even Yvette the veterinarian—played by Annie Maynard—is back, wahoo!)

More than anything, what makes Colin from Accounts sing as a series is the realness of its leading characters, Ashley and Gordon. It is a rom-com and could fall victim to formulaic tropes, but the authenticity of the pair and the way their flaws are supplemented by kindness and relatable emotional trajectories and circumstances (for example, is Ash and Gordon’s relationship only sustainable with Colin to care for?) makes it quite easy to invest in and cheer on their coupledom.

The fact that season two is anything but predictable so far? Let’s just say I’m already rooting for season three to be confirmed.