Chris Lilley casts eye on local talent amid rumours he’ll film new series on Gold Coast

JA’MIE Private School Girl, Jonah from Tonga, Mr G — Chris Lilley’s characters are Australian comedy gold. Is he about to make a few more on the Gold Coast?

Chris Lilley As Jonah Takalua who made the phrase “Puck you miss!” the nightmare of school teachers everywhere.

IS the Gold Coast set to get the Chris Lilley treatment?

The controversial actor and comedian hs taken up residence on the Coast to cast and film a new TV series.

The Sydney-born comedian is best known for hit shows Summer Heights High, Angry Boys and Ja’mie: Private School Girl.

Chris Lilley as mean girl Ja'Mie King in his comedy TV series Ja'Mie: Private School Girl

Lilley was in the crowd at local haunt the Miami Tavern on the Australia Day long weekend.

Was he there to relax or use his incisive and, at times, uncomfortably brutal powers of observation on punters to inform some new Coasty kinds of characters?

Lilley tasted success in the US in 2008 when his mockumentary Summer Heights High screened on HBO after its well-received debut here on the ABC.

Lilley donned blackface to play troubled Tongan teen Jonah Takalua, whose catchphrase was “Puck you, miss!”, in the follow-up, Jonah From Tonga.

It divided opinion, with critics including rapper/actor/comedian/commentator Briggs, aka A.B. Original, calling out the show as racist.

Protests from the Tongan community eventually saw Maori Television drop Jonah.

Rapper S.Mouse at the Prince of Wales. Photo: Reuben Gates

Lilly was at it again in 2011 series Angry Boys, produced with HBO, ABC and BBC.

The five-time Logie winner’s decision to don blackface to portray foul-mouthed rapper S. Mouse (who infamously used the “n-word” 15 times in 40 seconds in a rap video) was slammed as Angry Boys copped a serve for mocking Asians, gay people and those with disabilities.

Lilly knows the Coast well — he was a regular at events including the Gold Coast 600 a few years ago when dating Faders DJ and ex-local student Milly Gategno.