Australians (TV series)
Australians (also known as Michael Willesee's Australians) is a thirteen part anthology documentary drama series which screened on the Seven Network in 1988.[1]
There was a spin off book.[2]
The series was not the idea of Willesee's but his company, Transmedia was involved.[3]
Episodes[]
The episodes, with one exception, focused on famous individuals:
- Mary Mackillop - starring Lorna Lesley
- Errol Flynn - starring Christopher Stollery
- Lola Montez
- Betty Cuthbert
- Lottie Lyell - starring Odile de Clezio
- Jack Davey - starring
- Les Darcy - starring Peter Phelps
- Private John Simpson - starring Robert Willox
- Clyde Fenton
- Vivian Bullwinkle - tarring Rachel Ward
- John Norton
- Gordon Bennett
The only one that did not focused on Soldier Settlers.
Ep One - Les Darcy[]
March 1, 1988. Written by John Upton, directed by Kevin Dobson.[4]
Cast[]
- Peter Phelps as Les Darcy
- Gia Carides as Winnie O'Sullivan
- Gus Mecurio as Tex Rickard
- Robin Howering as William Hughes
Reception[]
The Age called it "a thumbnail sketch".[5]
Ep Two - Private John Simpson[]
March 8, 1988. Written by Roger McDonald. Directed by Henri Safran.
Cast[]
- Robert Willox as John Simpson
Ep Three - Vivian Bullwinkle[]
March 15, 1988. Written by Anne Brooksbank. Directed by Rod Hardy.
Cast[]
- Rachel Ward as Vivian Bullwinkle
- Barry Quinn as Private Kinsley
Ep Four - Mary MacKillop[]
March 22, 1988. Written by John Misto. Directed by Mark Callan.
Ep Five - Lotte Lyell[]
March 29, 1988. Written by Anne Brooksbank. Directed by Ben Lewin
Ep Six - Lola Montez[]
April 5, 1988. Written by Tony Morphett. Directed by Ian Gilmour.
Cast[]
- Linda Cropper as Lola Montez
- Nicholas Eadie
- Peter Whitford
- Danny Adcock as Harry Seekamp
Ep Seven - Clyde Fenton[]
April 12, 1988. Directed by John Power.
Cast[]
- Scott Burgess
- Kerry Armstrong
- Bruce Spence
Ep Eight - Jack Davey[]
April 19, 1987. Written by Geoffrey Atherden. Directed by George Whaley.
Ep Nine - Betty Cuthbert[]
April 26, 1988. Written by Denise Morgan. Directed by Kathy Mueller.
Ep Ten - Gordon Bennett[]
May 3, 1988. Written by John Misto.
Ep Eleven - Soldier Settlers[]
May 10, 1988. Directed by George Ogilvie.
Ep Twelve - John Norton[]
May 17, 1988.
Ep Thirteen - Errol Flynn[]
May 24, 1988. Written by John Lonie. Directed by Michael Carson.
Cast[]
- Christopher Stollery as Errol Flynn
- Nell Schofield
- Timothy Conigrave
- Terence Donovan
- Rhys McConnochie
- Jeanette Cronin
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Australian Television: Michael Willesee's Australians: Episode guide".
- ^ "A selection of lively, multifaceted Australians". The Canberra Times. Vol. 63, no. 19, 417. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 4 December 1988. p. 23. Retrieved 27 November 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Oliver, Robin (29 February 1988). "Bicentennial Drama: It's a Knockout". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 68.
- ^ Corris, Peter (29 February 1988). "Mike Wilessee's Australians Less Darcy". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 75.
- ^ Hooks, Barbara (1 March 1988). "Telescope". The Age. p. 14.
External links[]
- Australians at IMDb
- Australians at the Australian Television Information Archive
- 1988 Australian television series debuts
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- Australian television show stubs