Review published 11th July 2026
The Premise
Adam (Adam Zwar) moves in with his current partner Sarah (Cindy Waddingham). Adam himself is often a quiet bloke, and it’s evident that he still carries the weight of depression due to a mysterious past. After moving in with the girl of his dreams, life couldn’t be better, and Adam is eager to live a peaceful life filled with joy and happiness. Sadly, for Adam, it’s not that simple.
Living with Sarah is her pet dog, Wilfred, whom she absolutely treasures and adores with all her heart. However, when Adam first meets Wilfred (Jason Gann), he doesn’t just see an everyday sweet puppy; he sees a grown man dressed in a dog suit, something only Adam can see. To everyone else, Wilfred is simply a cute dog.
Somehow, Wilfred is also capable of speaking, and as Adam is about to discover, he has quite a potty mouth. He often smokes drugs, loves nachos, and enjoys a cold beer. Naturally, Wilfred was happiest when it was just him and Sarah. Now that Adam is in the picture, Wilfred is far from impressed. Adam, in turn, isn’t too fond of Wilfred, especially as Wilfred continually tries to provoke him or frame him for cheeky antics, such as weeing on the toilet floor and leaving Adam to cop the blame from a disgusted Sarah. Will Adam and Wilfred be able to get along for Sarah’s sake, or will the pair become each other’s greatest enemies?
Comedy First, Drama Second
Wilfred is best described as an Australian comedy, and when it comes to the humour, nothing is held back. The series is packed with crude gags and plenty of foul language, much of it coming from the show’s lovable canine, Wilfred. Interestingly, the series also offers moments of compelling drama between its three central characters. Adam must confront the demons of his past while learning to trust his current partner, all while navigating an often turbulent and unpredictable relationship with his so-called best friend, Wilfred. Wilfred himself is equally resistant to change and carries emotional baggage from his own past that continues to affect him. While these dramatic elements add depth to the story, the series remains a comedy first and foremost, with the emotional moments serving as a strong supporting layer rather than becoming the primary focus. The series was created by Tony Rogers, Jason Gann, who also plays Wilfred, and Adam Zwar, who stars as Adam. All episodes of the first season were directed by Tony Rogers, who would later go on to direct the comedy films Rats and Cats (2006) and How to Talk Australians (2026).
A Brilliant And Unique Concept
As a comedy, I found Wilfred to be downright hilarious, particularly when the laughs come from Wilfred himself. His foul potty mouth, rude behaviour, and often bizarre interactions with Adam consistently deliver some of the series’ funniest moments. It’s as though Wilfred has absolutely no filter, often showing little respect for those around him, especially Adam, the only person who sees him as a man dressed in a dog suit rather than an ordinary pet.
The concept itself is brilliant and refreshingly different. There is honestly nothing quite like Wilfred in the comedy genre. While the image of a grown man dressed as a dog is funny enough on its own, the real strength of the concept comes from the fact that Adam is the only person who sees Wilfred this way. To everyone else, Wilfred is simply a lovable family pet. This creates countless opportunities for misunderstanding, chaos, and comedy, while also helping to establish the entertaining dynamic between the show’s two central characters. Watching Adam adjust to life with his new girlfriend is already an entertaining premise, but adding a man in a dog suit whom everyone else sees as a lovable puppy creates a truly unique viewing experience.
The Relationship Between Adam And Wilfred
Naturally, Adam and Wilfred’s relationship is like a roller coaster, constantly rising and falling with plenty of twists along the way. There are moments where the pair share a genuine mateship and even a sense of bromance, but as the series progresses, their relationship can quickly take a turn for the worse. The two frequently clash and attempt to outsmart one another, with these conflicts often played for laughs. What makes the relationship work so well is the contrast between the two characters. Adam is calm, grounded, and often acts as the audience surrogate, reacting to the increasingly absurd situations that Wilfred creates. Wilfred, on the other hand, thrives on chaos and unpredictability. Together, the pair form a comedic partnership that remains entertaining across the entire season. While the dramatic elements are relatively minor, they are a welcome addition to the series. These moments often took me by surprise and added an extra layer of depth to the story. Thankfully, the drama never overstays its welcome, yet it remains impactful enough to deliver some genuinely meaningful messages.
Strong Performances
Performance is another area where Wilfred excels, particularly thanks to Jason Gann in the title role. Much of the show’s humour comes from Gann’s excellent timing and deadpan delivery, often treating the most ridiculous situations with complete seriousness. Whether Wilfred is causing chaos, delivering questionable advice, or simply expressing his unique outlook on life, Gann consistently finds ways to make the character entertaining. Adam Zwar is equally important to the show’s success. While Wilfred often steals the spotlight, Adam provides the perfect counterbalance. His calm and relatable personality allows the audience to connect with the increasingly bizarre world around him, while his reactions to Wilfred’s antics often become just as funny as the antics themselves.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Wilfred is a fantastic Australian comedy with a sprinkle of drama throughout. The comedy is blunt, dark, and doesn’t hold back with its crude and naughty dialogue. Its unique premise, memorable characters, and consistently strong humour help it stand out not only among Australian comedies but television comedies in general. Personally, I started with a couple of episodes and was highly compelled to binge the rest of season one within a matter of days. The season remains consistently entertaining from beginning to end, with the relationship between Adam and Wilfred providing countless laughs along the way. When it comes to Australian shows you need to experience, Wilfred is most certainly one of them. You are guaranteed to laugh and be impressed by its originality, memorable characters, and highly quotable lines of dialogue alone.
Wilfred (2007 – 2010) is Now Available on Brollie in Australia & New Zealand thanks to Umbrella!
About the Reviewer
Peter Walkden
Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favorites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.
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