Abeba, Harriet and Tron (all 11yrs) have persuaded six high-profile Australians to come to their classroom and be interviewed about the problem. Their guests see it as a photo op and a chance to promote their own agendas. But the kids have other ideas.

Each episode we see them interview a leader from a different field – an embattled politician, a disgraced footballer and his club president, a cashed-up Archbishop, an influencer with a new side hustle, a pair of millennial social entrepreneurs and a cancelled popstar. People with the means to make a difference, but often not the will.

One by one they’re asked a series of questions which they do their best to dodge, deflect or segue into a product they’re promoting or a cause they’re fronting. None of which have any relevance to the homelessness crisis. But the kids can smell bullshit a mile away. Hidden agendas are exposed and hollow platitudes are batted aside as our three young social warriors tackle our national disgrace head-on.

The kids are smart, funny and tough. But they’re also complex and vulnerable. They’ve packed far more into their 11 short years than most people pack into a lifetime. It’s this lived experience they draw on to ask the questions we’d all like answered.

Through their questions – and their banter – we start to get a sense of the world they live in and the way they see it. As an audience, we love travelling with children. Their honesty and ingenuity confounds and inspires. There’s a lot for us to get behind. As is the issue at hand.

A 2018 survey found “50% of Victorians were taking practical steps to help those experiencing homelessness including giving food, clothing, making donations and volunteering”. Yet “Almost 40% were either unsure their efforts to help were effective or wanted better direction on how to make a positive difference”.

The issue is topical, relevant and getting worse. But it’s easy to feel powerless or overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. Or frustrated and angry by the lack of change. Because the people who have the means and could do something, often choose not to.

There’s a belief that people in power would rather do nothing, than do something and be seen to fail. ‘Optics’ are everything to them.

Whereas kids don’t care if they fail. We tell them – just do your best, have a go, give it a shot. If it doesn’t work, pick yourself up and try again. Somewhere on the road to becoming adults, a lot of people forget that it’s ok to fail. So long as failure comes from trying and not from inaction.

But we live in a world of spin and rampant self-promotion, where it’s easier to say things than actually do anything. A world with political, business and social leaders who are hellbent on deflecting blame and shirking responsibility. Until now.

Comedy’s a great way to shine a spotlight on a problem and to bust myths, stereotypes and preconceived ideas. It can also shift attitudes and provoke discussion, awareness and debate. Hell hath no fury like three kids on a mission.

Even though the series focuses on homelessness, the issues it raises and the themes it addresses are common across the not-for-profit sector. A sector that employs 1.3M Australians. It’s not poking fun at people who work in the sector. It’s taking a satirical look at the people and bureaucracy they’re up against.

Plausible Deniability shows what happens when self-interest collides with a cause. It also presents a conflict we haven’t seen before – the tenacity and inquisitiveness of youth up against the arrogance and indifference of people in power. All in a setting that’s relatable yet different. A primary school classroom.

One issue. Six leaders. Three children. No bullshit.

6 x 10min comedy series + 1 x 15min mockumentary.

Created by: Iain Crittenden
Writers: Amal Awad, Claire Christian, Iain Crittenden, Meg Mundell, Samuel Gebreselassie.
Directors: Victoria Thaine, Grace Feng Fang Juan
Executive Producers: Benjamin Law, Catherine Hill
Producer: Iain Crittenden
Director of Photography: Sarah Jo Fraser
Production & Costume Designer: Marc McIntyre
Editor: Greg Cooper
Composer: Keegan Joyce
Casting: Mullinars
Script Editor: Steve Kaplan
Script Producer: Meg Mundell
Story Consultants: Ayub Abdi-Barre, Gabriel Aleksandrs, Maurya Bourandanis, Rachel Kurzyp, Stephanie Dower

Proudly supported by Screen Australia.