Brace yourselves for an absolute suburban bloodbath! Streaming platform Stan has officially unveiled the thrilling trailer for its upcoming Stan Original Series “Gnomes.”
Perfectly timed for the Halloween season, the show promises a wild, blood-soaked battle against pint-sized plagues of terracotta terror. Channeling the beloved, splatter-gore energy of 1980s creature features alongside laugh-out-loud comedy, this outrageous series ensures you will never look at a cheerful lawn ornament the same way again.
Suburbia Turns Nightmare: The High-Stakes Plot of Nompton
The story follows Senior Sergeant Arnold Kipps, played by Asa Butterfield (Sex Education). He is already enduring a thoroughly miserable day in the quiet town of Nompton. His situation deteriorates rapidly when his ex-partner and former flame, Ellie McKay (Megan Smart of Black Snow), arrives in town with strict orders to decommission his police station.
However, to make matters infinitely worse, an ancient, bloodthirsty force awakens as the formidable Gnome Queen, portrayed with regal menace by Tess Haubrich (Spiderhead). The queen immediately unleashes a terrifying swarm of killer ceramic garden statues upon the helpless township, plunging Nompton into instant, violent chaos. Armed only with sheer desperation and an assortment of wild, unconventional weapons, Arnold and Ellie must rally a ragtag coalition of misfit officers, rebellious teenagers, and an overly ambitious local mayor to defeat the lawn ornaments before the town is destroyed down to its roots.
A Powerhouse Ensemble of International and Australian Talent
Beyond its leading duo, “Gnomes” boasts an exceptionally stacked cast filled with fan-favorite screen talent. The series stars Darren Gilshenan (No Activity, Colin from Accounts), Alison Whyte (Scrublands, Harrow), and Tegan Higginbotham (Jones Family Christmas). Matt Okine (Mother & Son), Brett Tucker (The Residence), Nicole Gulasekharam (Barracuda), and Luke McGregor (Rosehaven) join the action. The star-studded lineup expands further with Charlotte Nicdao (Mythic Quest), Emily Taheny (Population 11), Nina Oyama (Deadloch), and Ditch Davey (Roman Empire), alongside rising actors Oliver Edis, Leigh Lule, George Rayias (Planet Lulin), and Mila Hourmouzis (Spooky Files).
The Masterminds Behind the Terracotta Mayhem
Joel Kohn (The Mirror) created “Gnomes” and co-produces, sitting in the director’s chair alongside Sian Davies. The sharp-writing duo Tegan Higginbotham and Paul F. Verhoeven penned the screenplay. Matthias Hoene serves as set-up director and executive producer, known for his work on Cockneys vs Zombies and Theodosia.
John Molloy (The Gloaming) and Richard Kelly (Barons) produce for Total Fiction alongside Screen Invaders. The series received aid from Screen Australia in association with Stan, VicScreen, and Scribble Films. Screen Queensland provided visual effects support. Executive producers include Donna Chang and Andy Ryan for Stan, Holly A. Hines and Eric Jarboe for Happy Accidents. Luke Walker and Suzanne Walker joined them for Total Fiction.
A Short History of Garden Gnomes: From Renaissance Myth to Pop-Culture Icons
While modern television reimagines these ceramic figures as violent monsters, gnomes trace their origins to folklore and European aristocratic fashion. The concept of the gnome was first introduced during the Renaissance by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus in the 16th century. He described gnomes as elemental earth spirits. They guard hidden treasures, underground minerals, and precious metals.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy landowners began installing ornamental statues in their lavish estates. The modern garden gnome as we recognize it today was born in Thuringia, Germany, around the 1840s. Master artisans like Philip Griebel sculpted miniature clay figures in red pointed hats and traditional worker attire. They were depicted as industrious, dwarf-like helpers who tended crops and kept gardens thriving.
Throughout the 20th century, mass manufacturing shifted production from hand-painted clay to durable plastics and resins, cementing the garden gnome as a widely recognized symbol of whimsical lawn decor.
Today, their shift from gentle protectors to horror-comedy antagonists marks a hilarious new chapter in the evolving pop-culture legacy of these iconic figures.
Coming Soon
Tune in for the premiere of “Gnomes” exclusively on Stan on October 8.
