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Meet the Adelaide Studios Tenant: Joshua Tyler
26 February 2026
The SAFC’s Adelaide Studios isn’t just a screen production facility, it’s a creative hub that’s home to dozens of South Australian screen businesses and screen practitioners. In this ongoing series of SAFC interview profiles, we invite you to meet the tenants and get to know their work.
One of those tenants is screenwriter and creative Joshua Tyler, who co-wrote the hit 2019 SA made and SAFC supported film Top End Wedding and Prime Video follow up series Top End Bub, which premiered in September to critical acclaim, including a four star rating from ScreenHub.
The series picked up two nominations for the 2026 AACTA Awards, including Best Narrative Comedy Series, with star and co-creator Miranda Tapsell taking home the award for Best Acting in a Comedy.
And now Top End Bub is coming to ABC, premiering on Saturday, 7 March at 8.30 pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Joshua made his start as an actor, before moving into writing for theatre and eventually screen. He wrote and starred in comedy series Plonk — with the second season made in SA with support from the SAFC — and has also written for animated series including 100% Wolf and Tashi.
We caught up with Joshua to talk about how he got started in the screen industry, what it was like reuniting with Miranda Tapsell for Top End Bub and what is next for him.
What’s your background – how did you get into the screen industry?
I first trained as an actor at Adelaide College of the Arts in Adelaide. I started writing plays in acting school and convinced my fellow actors to do public readings. Those readings led to my first commission by a local theatre company, and I’ve been writing ever since.
Winning the Jill Blewett Playwright’s Award in 2002 led to a mentorship with film and theatre writer Andrew Bovell, where I learned how to balance stage and screen.
I’ve always been a massive film buff, but studying screenwriting at AFTRS really anchored my passion for cinema.
Why did you choose to base your business at Adelaide Studios? What do you like about it?
After spending a decade in Sydney and another decade in rural Victoria, it was time to return to Adelaide. However, I felt quite disconnected from the local industry, so basing myself at Adelaide Studios felt like a great way to meet people and get involved in the local scene. I like seeing what other screen practitioners are up to and getting inspired by their energy.
Tell us a bit about Top End Bub. What was it like to return to Lauren and Ned’s world?
Top End Bub is a response to the enthusiasm of our audience. They kept reaching out on social media and demanding more.
Miranda [Tapsell] and I thought about a film but we liked that TV gave us more screen time to go deeper into the characters. We have such a strong cast and enjoy writing scripts that will push them, but also play to their strengths, particularly with comedy, it helps to lean into what makes each actor unique.
Miranda and I enjoy making each other laugh and proudly strive for optimism. Cynicism is such a common and dangerous trap. It kills creativity.
David Byrne [quoting John Cameron Mitchell] said the most punk thing you can do right now is empathy, and I think he is spot on. Top End Bub is full of empathy and love, and proudly so.
What’s the best thing about being a part of the SA screen industry?
The camaraderie.
What’s your favourite thing about your work?
My favourite thing is collaboration.
When I was a kid, I’d get my siblings and friends together and put on a show for the Mums and Dads. In high school, I played bass in a grunge band. Nobody told us to start a band; we did it because we loved music and playing together. Making TV is no different.
I get together with people I like and we jam together, we play. Being creative with people I enjoy spending time with is my main focus; making work that has meaning for our audience is the goal. That spark you get when creative people bounce off each other is the best.
What qualities or skills do you need to succeed in your field?
A tenacity to play the long game, to remain focused on craft and nurture relationships.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve come up against in your work?
Money. Finding money to support development is a challenge. Finding money to support production is even harder!
What’s next for you?
See above: searching for money. I have a new series in development with local producers, a crime comedy that I would love to make in SA. We are in development for season two of Top End Bub.
I am loving TV but I am also writing a film, I’m old school, I still believe in the power of a collective experience and think comedy works best in a room full of people.
What is your favourite South Australian screen production?
Lesbian Space Princess. Storm Boy. Sam Klemke’s Time Machine.
Top End Bub is available to watch on Prime Video, and will air on ABC TV and ABC iview on Saturday, 7 March at 8.30 pm.