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]
A lavishly illustrated spin-off coffee table book was released the same year. It was written by Roger McDonald and published Bantam Books.[2]
The series was not the idea of Willesee's, but his company, Transmedia was involved.[3]
Episodes
The episodes focused on famous individuals (with one exception covering soldier settlers):
- Les Darcy – starring Peter Phelps
- Private John Simpson – starring Robert Willox
- Vivian Bullwinkle – starring Rachel Ward
- Mary Mackillop – starring Lorna Lesley
- Lottie Lyell – starring Odile de Clezio
- Lola Montez - starring Linda Cropper
- Clyde Fenton
- Jack Davey – starring Rhys McConnochie
- Betty Cuthbert
- Gordon Bennett
- John Norton - starring John Ewart
- Errol Flynn - starring Christopher Stollery
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 Mercurio as Tex Rickard
- Robin Howering as William Hughes
- Nikki Coghill as Lilly Molloy
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.
Cast
- Lorna Lesley as Mary MacKillop
- Kerry Armstrong as Matron
Ep Five - Lottie Lyell
March 29, 1988. Written by Anne Brooksbank. Directed by Ben Lewin
Cast
- Odile de Clezio as Lottie Lyell
- Michelle Fawdon as Melena Longford
- Judi Farr as Ma (Mrs Lyell)
- Joy Hruby as Mrs Whittle
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 as Cecil Cook
Ep Eight - Jack Davey
April 19, 1987. Written by Geoffrey Atherden. Directed by George Whaley.
Cast
Ep Nine - Betty Cuthbert
April 26, 1988. Written by Denise Morgan. Directed by Kathy Mueller.
Cast
- Deborah Kennedy as June Ferguson
- Lynette Curran as Mrs Cuthbert
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.
Cast
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 (actor)
- 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
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