Quick Read
- ABC’s new six-part dramedy ‘Dog Park’ premiered on February 1, 2026, on ABC TV and iview.
- It stars Leon Ford as Roland, a grumpy career counsellor, and Celia Pacquola as Sam, an optimistic dog park friend.
- The series explores themes of belonging, loneliness, community, and modern masculinity.
- Leon Ford co-created the show and drew inspiration for his character from his own dog.
- Celia Pacquola previously auditioned for ‘Bluey’ but did not get the part, making ‘Dog Park’ her second canine-focused project.
SYDNEY (Azat TV) – The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has premiered its new six-part dramedy, ‘Dog Park,’ featuring Leon Ford and Celia Pacquola, which began airing on ABC TV and streaming on ABC iview from February 1, 2026. The series, which follows the popular ‘Muster Dogs,’ offers a nuanced exploration of human connection, community, and contemporary masculinity, using the seemingly simple setting of a local dog park as its backdrop.
Directed by Matthew Saville and Nina Buxton, ‘Dog Park’ introduces Roland, a perpetually grumpy career counsellor portrayed by Leon Ford, whose life is upended when his wife, Emma (Brooke Satchwell), takes a job overseas. Before her departure, Emma enlists her best dog park friend, Sam (Celia Pacquola), to ensure their dog, Beattie, continues to receive her daily walks. This arrangement reluctantly thrusts Roland into a vibrant, albeit initially unwelcome, community of dog lovers known as the ‘Dog Park Divas.’
Roland’s Reluctant Entry into the Dog Park
At the heart of ‘Dog Park’ is Roland’s transformation from a solitary, impatient individual to someone begrudgingly engaging with a diverse group of strangers. As Jennifer Collins, ABC Director Screen, describes, the show is a ‘feelgood, warm, drama about belonging, loneliness and community.’ Roland, who initially struggles to understand why people seek out the company of others, finds himself constantly bickering with his wife and distant from his teenage daughter, Mia (Florence Gladwin). His forced interactions within the dog park community, spearheaded by Sam, challenge his preconceived notions and push him towards unexpected connections with characters like Penny (Elizabeth Alexander), Pamelia (Grace Chow), Jonah (Ras-Samuel), and Andrew (Ash Flanders), as noted by The Guardian.
Leon Ford, who co-created the series with Amanda Higgs and also contributed to the writing alongside Penelope Chai, Nick Coyle, and Chloe Wong, drew inspiration for Roland’s character from his own experiences with his dog, Gidget. Ford shared with ABC News that he often found himself pausing interviews to manage his dog, a dynamic that clearly influenced Roland’s dog-centric obligations. The series deftly portrays Roland’s genuine, albeit often irritable, journey, avoiding stereotypical portrayals of grumpiness.
Celia Pacquola’s Canine Connection
Celia Pacquola’s portrayal of Sam is a significant departure from her previous roles, often characterized as the ‘sassy best friend.’ In ‘Dog Park,’ she embraces the role of a ‘flirty lead,’ an optimistic and empathetic character who successfully coaxes Roland into spending more time with Beattie and integrating into the dog park social scene. Pacquola, a self-professed dog lover, revealed to ABC News that she actively sought an audition for the show because she ‘wanted to hang out with dogs for work.’
Interestingly, ‘Dog Park’ marks Pacquola’s second notable encounter with a canine-led project. In 2017, she auditioned for the role of Chilli Heeler, the titular character’s mum, in the globally acclaimed animated series ‘Bluey.’ While she didn’t get the part, Pacquola humorously remarked, ‘This isn’t me trying to get back at Bluey… unless Dog Park becomes the most-watched television show in the world. That’d be great.’ Her casting in ‘Dog Park’ highlights her natural affinity for projects involving animals, even if it was a ‘complete coincidence.’
Exploring Modern Masculinity and Community
Beyond the charm of its canine cast, ‘Dog Park’ delves into deeper societal themes, particularly the complexities of modern masculinity. Leon Ford commented on the timely nature of stories exploring men in crisis, suggesting it may be the ‘Zeitgeist’ amidst a ‘shifting paradigm’ where teenage boys are influenced by ‘the wrong message of what masculinity is.’ Ford emphasized the need for narratives like Roland’s, asserting that ‘everyone deserves to be loved and should admit to needing that.’ The series subtly addresses how men navigate evolving social expectations and the importance of emotional openness, without being exclusively targeted at male audiences.
The production itself faced the unique challenges of working with animals, with Ford affectionately referring to the six main dog actors as ‘Fur Babies.’ Despite the common adage about working with animals and children, the show managed to integrate them effectively into the narrative. The series is positioned by ABC as a natural follow-up to ‘Muster Dogs,’ leveraging the broadcaster’s success with dog-centric programming, from ‘Bluey’ to ‘Muster Dogs’ and now ‘Dog Park,’ to capture a broad and engaged audience.
A Standout in ABC’s 2026 Slate
‘Dog Park’ is part of ABC’s extensive 2026 programming slate, which Jennifer Collins describes as a ‘bumper slate of new Australian shows.’ Collins expressed particular pride in the diversity of talent featured across the network’s offerings, noting that ‘Dog Park’ contributes to a slate that balances strong male and female performers and creators. The series has been praised for its finely balanced central performance by Ford and its ‘earthy, unshowy accessibility,’ reminiscent of the work of late Australian filmmaker Paul Cox, according to The Guardian review.
The show leverages the universal appeal of pets and the often-unseen social dynamics of public spaces to create a relatable and insightful commentary on human needs for connection and belonging in a contemporary world.