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Utopia
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Set inside the offices of the "Nation Building Authority", a newly created government organization responsible for overseeing major infrastructure projects, Utopia explores that moment when bureaucracy and grand dreams collide. It's a tribute to those political leaders who have somehow managed to take a long-term vision and use it for short-term gain. The series follows the working lives of a tight-knit team in charge of guiding big building schemes from announcement to unveiling. Constant shifts in priorities are the order of the day as the staff are asked to come up with plans for everything from new roads and rail lines to airports and high rise urban developments. In short, Utopia examines the forces that go into creating a very well-designed white elephant.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
Onwards and UpwardsTony is reluctantly dragged in when the developer of a low-rise inner city building project decides he wants to double the height of his apartment block.... and then triple it again. Meanwhile, Nat's attempt to conduct a performance review on a staff member leads to unexpected trouble. None of this is made any easier by Katie's decision to run a Healthy Choices Month in the office, meaning there's nothing to relieve the stress other than herbal tea and rice crackers. - 02
Levers of PowerTony is close to wrapping up a major report when Rhonda invites an ABC documentary crew into the office for a week; the staff are divided over the important issue of office catering. - 03
Terminal ProblemsAfter months of work on a large project, Tony gets a request from Jim. Rhonda nominates Nat to be a conference keynote speaker.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01Best season
- S01E01
Wood for the TreesAugust 13, 2014Tony's attempts to sign a massive international development deal are compromised by Rhonda's decision to re-design the NBA's logo. Meanwhile - S01E02
Protected SpeciesAugust 20, 2014Tony is forced to step in when an endangered grass threatens to de-rail plans for a new container terminal. Meanwhile, Rhonda is convinced t - S01E03
Very Fast TurnoverAugust 27, 2014A trip to Canberra leads to Tony being forced to investigate the feasibility of building a very fast train. What looks like being a 30-year - S01E04Season's bestOnwards and UpwardsSeptember 3, 2014Tony is reluctantly dragged in when the developer of a low-rise inner city building project decides he wants to double the height of his apa
- S01E05
Arts and MindsSeptember 10, 2014—The decision to include roadside art on a major highway upgrade leads to controversy and a threatened delay to Rhonda's launch. Things go fr - S01E06
Then We Can Build ItSeptember 17, 2014Concerned that Tasmania's infrastructure needs have been overlooked, Jim sends Tony and the team south for a series of public forums. Back a - S01E07
The First ProjectSeptember 24, 2014Slightly disillusioned by his first 11 months in the job, Tony thinks back to when it all began. The launch of the NBA was a great success b - S01E08
The Whole EnchiladaOctober 1, 2014—Despite his grave reservations, Tony is forced to evaluate plans for expanding northern Australia's Ord River Scheme. Nat has issues of her
Season02
- S02E01
A Fresh StartAugust 19, 2015It's a new year and Tony is determined to focus on big things. Unfortunately, small things get in the way. Meanwhile, Nat's attempts to assi - S02E02
Shovels ReadyAugust 26, 2015After years of meticulous planning nothing can prevent a major tunneling project getting started. Except Rhonda. Meanwhile Nat makes the fat - S02E03
Keep Out - Public PropertySeptember 2, 2015Tony and his team are forced to justify why a new foreshore park now seems to have very little park. Nat is desperate for a parcel to arrive - S02E04
Dot Dot DotSeptember 9, 2015When the Government announces 'Education Nation' it is met with rapturous praise. Only one problem - no one knows what it is. Nat is tasked - S02E05Season's bestTerminal ProblemsSeptember 16, 2015After months of work on a large project, Tony gets a request from Jim. Rhonda nominates Nat to be a conference keynote speaker.
- S02E06
Starting the ConversationSeptember 23, 2015Tony tries to stay out of a planning dispute. Meanwhile, Rhonda wants to raise the department's online presence through social media. - S02E07
Reporting for DutySeptember 30, 2015When a report finds a tunnel project unviable, a new business case must be made. Nat wants to fire an inept employee. Amy tries to be a bari - S02E08
Summit AttemptOctober 7, 2015Tony tries to take a vacation but is thwarted at every turn. Meanwhile, Karsten complicates plans for an infrastructure conference.
Season03
- S03E01
Blue Sky ThinkingJuly 19, 2017Jim and Rhonda force Tony to help step in and save a flawed government scheme. Nat is driven mad by a local council worried about a proposed - S03E02
Smart CitiesJuly 26, 2017Rhonda forces Tony to be keynote speaker at the Smart Cities conference. Nat is looking set for a promotion until Beverley from HR decides t - S03E03
Nation ShapersAugust 2, 2017Nat is asked to help out the Minister with a problem-plagued I.T. project. Meanwhile, a poor radio interview sees Tony forced to undertake m - S03E04
Season's bestClause for ConcernAugust 9, 2017The NBA team is asked to help out with the sale of a port; Rhonda decides it is time for a digital upgrade; and Tony is forced to spend a ni - S03E05
Start UpAugust 16, 2017Fresh from a trip to Silicon Valley, Jim asks Tony for help getting the Government involved in the world of start-ups. Meanwhile, a complain - S03E06
Snouts in the TroughAugust 23, 2017Jim and Rhonda ask Tony for help building a new airport rail link, but Tony's proposal shocks them both. Meanwhile, Nat has her entire week - S03E07
On the DefenceAugust 30, 2017With a major defence white paper about to be launched Jim and Rhonda ask Tony for help. Meanwhile Nat is summoned to Canberra for an excitin - S03E08
Independence DaySeptember 6, 2017After threatening to resign Tony is offered his own independent infrastructure board but Jim has his own ideas about the word "independent".
Season04
- S04E01
The Law's The LawAugust 21, 2019—Tony and Jim clash over the best way to tackle high level company tax fraud. Keen to launch a major Government report, Rhonda seeks help fro - S04E02
Working With ChildrenAugust 28, 2019The arrival of a work experience student leads to unexpected Ministerial developments. Nat is invited to join a prestigious board but soon f - S04E03
Pipe DreamsSeptember 4, 2019Tony's opportunity to pitch an important proposal is undermined by computer issues. Nat and Rhonda are forced to deal with community backlas - S04E04
Mission CreepsSeptember 11, 2019Tony is asked by the Minister to oversee the implementation on a new electronic I.D card scheme. Nat and Ash must face the fact that their e - S04E05
The Blame GameSeptember 18, 2019Tony is forced to defend himself when Jim and Rhonda try to blame a failed project on the NBA. Nat and Ash prepare for an important overseas - S04E06
Ticks of ApprovalSeptember 25, 2019A routine urban development project proves surprisingly difficult for Tony when multiple Government departments get involved. Nat is forced - S04E07Season's bestLevers of PowerOctober 2, 2019Tony is close to wrapping up a major report when Rhonda invites an ABC documentary crew into the office for a week; the staff are divided ov
- S04E08
The Ghost Of Christmas FutureOctober 9, 2019Tim refuses to get behind a major new government initiative; Nat and Ash are forced to give the minister some bad news.
Season05
- S05E01
The Buck Stops Where?June 7, 2023—The beleaguered staff of the NBA are still trying to get the job done in the face of endless backflips, government interference and ever-shi - S05E02
Grand DesignsJune 14, 2023—Tony cops media heat for a solar scheme with poor public uptake, and a completed bypass is held up from opening due to some signage for a pr - S05E03
The Promise LandJune 21, 2023—The Government stalls on an election promise of the NBA moving to independent status and the office undergoes workplace respect training, co - S05E04
Tunnel VisionJune 28, 2023—Jim ups security measures while trying to sway the outcome of tenders for an international partnership. Nat is infuriated by her new assista - S05E05
Season's bestLights, Camera, InactionJuly 5, 2023Tony is frozen out by the Minister when he's reluctant to announce an ambitious new project. The NBA comes under scrutiny by UNESCO over the - S05E06
Story TimeJuly 12, 2023Rhonda forces Tony to fast track a long-term regional rail project. Nat goes the wrong kind of viral for a problematic photo. Ash investigat - S05E07
Frequently Avoided QuestionsJuly 19, 2023A security consultant creates stress by leveling up the NBA's cyber safety. Nat faces the consequences of an inept employee. Jim lumps Tony - S05E08
Wide AwokeJuly 26, 2023Nat and Ash work on deciphering who owns the title on an historic project. Tony's important presentation is derailed by Rhonda's insistence
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