Stan has announced its upcoming Stan Original Series He Had It Coming, a dark comedy-drama that delves into the complexities of gender politics, campus life, and a chilling murder mystery. The series, produced by Jungle Entertainment with major investment from Screen Australia, was unveiled at the platform’s 2025 showcase event in Sydney.
The show centers around two unlikely friends, Elise and Barbara, whose spontaneous feminist activism spirals into a deadly encounter. Set on a university campus, the series follows the pair as they inadvertently become entangled in a murder mystery after defacing a statue in an impromptu protest. What begins as an act of rebellion takes a grim turn when the university’s star athlete is found murdered beneath the statue, and the two women must navigate the growing tension, uncover the real killer, and protect themselves from a determined detective.
He Had It Coming is a comedic whodunnit, with a focus on gender dynamics. The series is created and written by Gretel Vella and Craig Anderson, and directed by Rachel House and Anne Renton. Vella, known for her work on Totally Completely Fine and The Great, also serves as executive producer alongside Chloe Rickard, Shay Spencer, Bridget Callow-Wright, Robert Taylor, and Ellie Gibbons. The writing team includes Emme Hoy, Belinda King, Nicholas Cole, and Hannah Samuel.
The lead roles are played by Lydia West (Big Mood, It’s a Sin) as Elise, an awkward scholarship student, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Ahsoka, The Voyeurs) as Barbara, a fashion influencer with a passion for activism. Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets, Bombshell) stars as Detective Shepherd, leading the investigation into the campus murder. The ensemble cast also features Duncan Fellows, Roxie Mohebbi, Tom Dawson, Alex Campion De Crespigny, and Miah Madden.
Stan’s Chief Content Officer, Cailah Scobie, expressed excitement about the series, stating, “He Had It Coming is a clever and sharp exploration of gender politics led by an extraordinary cast in this vacuum-sealed murder mystery.” The series is a collaboration between Stan, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, and FIFTH SEASON, with international sales handled by FIFTH SEASON.
Screen Australia’s Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, praised the series as a “fun, feminist romp,” highlighting its contemporary and innovative approach to gender equality. FIFTH SEASON’s Ava Knight echoed this sentiment, calling it “a brilliant and bold female-led crime caper.”
The production, which wrapped filming recently, is set to premiere exclusively on Stan. With its blend of humor, suspense, and social commentary, He Had It Coming promises to be a must-watch series for audiences worldwide.
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