Synopsis

17-year-old incarcerated Aboriginal protagonist Robyn declaring: “Them missionaries reckon thou shalt not steal. Bit rich from the Bible-bashing bastards that stole our country!” This is just the beginning of a wildly irreverent show largely set in the middle of nowhere.

Robyn quickly arrives at a hospital where she retrieves her grandfather Ringer. They enter a taxi driven by Maxine, a former sex worker turned cabbie; after an altercation, Robyn steals her car and fangs it down the freeway, making a dangerous enemy. Old Ringer’s not long for this world, drawing his last breath right after breaking big news: Robyn’s father, who she believed to be dead, is still alive.

Robyn is tasked with delivering a MacGuffin: a racing trophy inscribed with a reference to Coober Pedy, which Ringer wants her to return to her father. When she arrives back in her home community to retrieve it, she meets a new love interest and partner in crime: Gidge, a troubled young man and son of outback pastor Robert who sings for the Lord, but really he’s a shyster, collecting donations from First Nations communities who have already been robbed of so much.

Soon, Robyn and Gidge are chased across the country by Maxine and Robert.

Music plays a huge part, giving the show bounce and jive. Thou Shalt Not Steal is pumped full of country and gospel music and a big bold score.

Episode guide

Episode 1: All This For A Cup

Robyn breaks out of juvenile detention to see her dying grandfather Ringer, only to discover that he wants her help to escape the hospital and return home to do one last thing.

Episode 2: Stealin' Donkeys

With Gidge’s help, Robyn uncovers the truth about her father and resolves to go to Coober Pedy to find him, but first she must find a way to get past the police.

Episode 3: Coober Pedy's A Long Way

With Robert and Maxine hot on their heels, Robyn discovers Gidge has stowed away in the taxi. But when she tries to abandon him in the desert, the taxi becomes bogged in the sand.

Episode 4: Bullet To The Head...

As Robyn and Gidge run into some trouble at an outback roadhouse, Robert makes his feelings for Maxine clear as they continue their pursuit.

Episode 5: There Will Be Murder

Robyn and Gidge arrive at Coober Pedy in search of Steve, bringing them face-to-face with Maxine and Robert, as well as two federal detectives determined to bring Robyn to justice.

Episode 6: Biggest Disappointment

Robyn and Gidge arrive in Port Augusta, her Dad’s last known address, where a trip to the beach brings them closer together. Robert tries to escape from the detectives as they hunt for Robyn.

Episode 7: Ball Bags

After making the trip to Adelaide, Robyn confronts her father Steve at his country estate. Meanwhile Gidge is reunited with Robert, who he believes is a murderer. And now he wants answers about where his mother is.

Episode 8: Happy Endings

Tensions rise for Robyn on her father’s farm and when the detectives finally catch up to her, she is forced into making a mad dash to reunite with Gidge.

Thou Shalt Not Steal has future classic written all over it.

— The Guardian ^[1]