By Alesha Capone
Mark Samual Bonanno has enjoyed every step of his journey from Werribee to Hollywood.
Bonanno – a member of the comedy group Aunty Donna, along with Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane – grew up in Wyndham Vale and Werribee.
A six-part series created by the trio, titled Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, debuted on Netflix last month.
The series features sketches, songs and a guest appearance by Weird Al Yankovic.
Bonanno said the way the series started was “pretty nuts” after the group received an email from a Hollywood manager who had seen their YouTube videos.
“We were like, ‘Are we being catfished? Is this real?’” he said.
However, they ended up visiting Los Angeles while on tour during the next few years for series of meetings with studios and production companies.
Pacific Electric Picture Co – which is run by Edward Parker Helms, from television show The Office and The Hangover movies, and his production partner Mike Falbo – signed on to develop the program, which was picked up by Netflix.
“We had to keep that secret for about two years,” Bonanno said.
The Aunty Donna members lived in Hollywood for six months while making the show, but COVID-19 hit as they begin the editing process. They returned to Australia and finished editing the show during lockdown.
Bonanno said that when the show debuted last month, his aunts and cousins living in Werribee subscribed to Netflix in order to watch the program – but they are not the series’ only fans.
“Critically, without question, we are getting the best reviews of our careers,” Bonanno said.
“It’s been nuts, we’ve seen a big increase in our social media followings and Twitter hasn’t stopped.”
Bonanno said Aunty Donna hoped to do a live tour of Australia next year.
He said they would also love to make another series of Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, but that would be up to Netflix.
“If this is the only thing I ever get to do in Hollywood, I’m very happy,” he said.
Details: www.netflix.com/au/title/81009617
