When you think of the type of series typically arriving on Netflix, as of late, it’s reality dating shows, teen rom-coms, or some sort of franchise genre offering. There aren’t very many shows that fill that sort of family drama role, unless it’s a soap opera. That’s what makes “Boy Swallows Universe” such an interesting prospect.
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As seen in the new trailer for “Boy Swallows Universe,” the eight-episode limited series follows the story of a young boy who has a bit of a troubled life. His mom is an addict. His dad is out of the picture. His brother is mute. And to top it off, his stepfather is a drug dealer who finds himself constantly in some sort of trouble. But when the young boy has to step up to save his family and grow into some semblance of a good person, he finds himself on an unforgettable adventure. No, there aren’t any demons from an alternate reality. There aren’t superheroes. This is seemingly an honest-to-goodness coming-of-age drama. 
The series stars Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Felix Cameron, Zac Burgess, Lee Tiger Halley, Bryan Brown, Anthony LaPaglia, and Sophie Wilde. It’s written and created by John Collee, based on the novel of the same name from Trent Dalton. 
“Boy Swallows Universe” debuts on Netflix on January 11. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
​​A lost father, a mute brother, a recovering addict mum, a heroin dealer for a stepfather, and a notorious criminal for a babysitter. Eli Bell is just trying to follow his heart and understand what it means to become a good man, but fate keeps throwing obstacles in his way.