Australia’s premium TV scene just got a major new player. Alison Hurbert-Burns, the former Binge content chief who helped bring Colin From Accounts to screen, is launching a new production company called The Set Up with Bruna Papandrea and Steve Hutensky’s Made Up Stories.
Hurbert-Burns will serve as CEO of the new Australian production house, while Papandrea and Hutensky join her as co-founders. For the local industry, it is a sharp move: one of the country’s best-known drama commissioners is stepping directly into production, backed by a company with a strong international track record.
What Is The Set Up, the New Australian Production Company?
The Set Up is being positioned as a home for scripted Australian stories with the potential to travel well beyond the domestic market. That matters at a time when global streamers and broadcasters are still hunting for character-led, locally rooted shows that can break out internationally.
Hurbert-Burns brings deep commissioning experience from her time at Binge, where she was associated with the hit comedy Colin From Accounts. Her move into production gives The Set Up a clear advantage: she knows what buyers want, how streamers think, and what makes a pitch stand out in a crowded market.
Why Bruna Papandrea and Made Up Stories Matter
Bruna Papandrea has long been one of Australia’s most influential entertainment exports. Through Made Up Stories, alongside Steve Hutensky, she has built a reputation for elevated, female-forward, commercially attractive television and film projects.
Made Up Stories has been linked to buzzy titles including Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing, and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. That résumé gives The Set Up instant credibility with international networks, streamers, agents, writers, and directors.
The partnership also suggests a smart division of strengths: Hurbert-Burns brings Australian market knowledge and commissioning instincts, while Papandrea and Hutensky bring global production relationships and packaging experience.
Alison Hurbert-Burns’ Move Signals a Bigger Shift in Australian Streaming
Hurbert-Burns’ move comes as the Australian TV industry continues to evolve around streaming demand, international co-productions, and the search for distinctive local hits. Shows no longer need to feel generic to travel. In fact, the opposite is often true: audiences increasingly respond to stories that feel specific, authentic, and culturally grounded.
That is exactly where The Set Up could find its lane. With local creative talent and international backing, the company has the potential to develop Australian series that can sell into the US, UK, Europe, and beyond.
Where Can You Watch Colin From Accounts?
Colin From Accounts, the series Hurbert-Burns commissioned while at Binge, can be watched on Binge and Foxtel in Australia. In the US, the show has streamed on Paramount+. In the UK, it has aired on BBC Two and streamed on BBC iPlayer. Availability across the EU can vary by country, so viewers should check their local streaming platforms or digital TV listings.
As for The Set Up, no specific projects, release dates, or streaming partners have been announced yet. But with Alison Hurbert-Burns, Bruna Papandrea, and Steve Hutensky involved, expect this new production house to become one of the Australian companies international buyers watch closely.
Tags: #TheSetUp #AlisonHurbertBurns #BrunaPapandrea #MadeUpStories #AustralianTV
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