Aussie TV series Invisible Boys has been nominated for the 86th Peabody Awards alongside Heated Rivalry and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Peabody Awards are an international award that “honours excellence in storytelling that reflects the social issues and emerging voices of our day.”
Today, nominees for the Entertainment category were announced, with over 1,000 entries from across the broadcast industry.
Fifteen shows were nominated in the category, including Pluribus, The Pitt, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Andor, Adolescence, Heated Rivalry and, of course, Invisible Boys.
Invisible Boys, available on Stan, follows a group of gay teens in the remote coastal town of Geraldton, WA.
The series is based on a book of the same name written by Holden Sheppard, who told Gay Sydney Daily that he was completely blown away by the nomination.
“It’s a massive honour for an Aussie show like this to be recognised by a globally prestigious, US-based award like the Peabodys,” he said.
“I’m still pinching myself, to be honest.”
Sheppard said he grew up feeling ashamed of being gay and never thought it would be something he’d talk about, let alone write about.
“Seeing my proudly homosexual TV show right between huge American names like Heated Rivalry and Jimmy Kimmel Live! is a total spin-out. How is this real?!”
Sheppard said the nomination was a testament to the entire cast and crew who put their all into the show.
“It’s a testament to the incredible team of cast and crew who made the show so powerful, and huge gratitude to the amazing producer, Tania Chambers, who steered the ship,” he said.
Sheppard’s sequel, Yeah the Boys, is coming out soon and follows the exploits of the boys as they continue to live their lives after escaping Geraldton.
He will be bringing the book tour to Sydney next month, with details to be announced next week.
“At a time of resurgent prejudice and bigotry, it’s bolstering to know that real and authentic LGBTQIA+ stories are being seen, heard and valued by the world. We matter, and our stories matter.”
The winners of the 86th Annual Peabody Awards will be announced on April 23.
