Made entirely in South Australia, the 10-episode young adult drama show is the first Netflix series commission from a South Australian production company and was released for International Gymnastics Day.
From South Australian writer and creator Clay Glen, the show is a series adaptation by Glen and executive producer Vanessa Shapiro, co-produced by South Australian producer Sally Clarke.
Set in the world of teenage competitive gymnastics, Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance! is a TV spin-off from Glen’s internationally loved feature films A Second Chance (2011) and A Second Chance: Rivals! (2019), which have both found a strong global audience after being acquired by Netflix and extend the story with new additions to the much-loved characters in Australia’s Elite Gymnastics Program.
Online buzz around the release has been ongoing for months, with hundreds of fans from all over the globe expressing their joy and anticipation on social media for the show and calling for a second season almost immediately after the show premiered.
“So great to see new characters, along with some old faves!”
“My favourite childhood movie! I’m so excited!”
“I’ve already watched the series and I LOVE it!”
“This show is amazing, and I am rewatching it again right now I need a season 2 now!”
“What a sensational series it was so incredible and I’m really hoping there will be a second season of it”.
This brand-new series was wholly produced and post-produced in South Australia with key South Australian talent, including writer, director, producer Clay Glen, co-writer Kristian Leadbeater, directors Kelly Schilling and Stephen de Villiers, co-producer Sally Clarke, director of photographer Michael Tessari and editor David Banbury. Nicely Entertainment is a worldwide distributor, with Vanessa Shapiro as executive producer. The production has received major production funding from the South Australian Film Corporation.
Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance! is available to watch now on Netflix.
Feature image: Kyra (Jada-lee Henry) at the airport.