Rafferty's Rules

Last updated

Rafferty's Rules
Genre Legal drama
Created by Ben Lewin
Starring John Wood
Simon Chilvers
Arky Michael
Terry Serio
Andrew McFarlane
Catherine Wilkin
Katy Brinson
Lisa Crittenden
Mouche Phillips
Country of originAustralia
No. of episodes86
Production
Running time50 minutes
Original release
Network Seven Network
Release12 February 1987 (1987-02-12) 
2 February 1991 (1991-02-02)

Rafferty's Rules is an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1991 on the Seven Network.

Contents

The producers of the series were Posie Graeme-Evans (1987–1988), and Denis Phelen. The directors were Graham Thorburn, Mike Smith and Russell Webb. The writers were David Allen, John Upton, Tim Gooding and David Marsh. [1]

Rafferty's Rules was one of the first programs undertaken by the Seven Network’s then new in-house drama unit, going into production in May 1985 as "a 15-part courtroom drama". The program had started out as a pilot episode, recorded in early 1984 with the actor Chris Haywood in the lead role. When the pilot episode was remounted later in 1984, Chris Haywood wasn't available and the lead role was re-cast to John Wood. This second recording was eventually broadcast as the program's first episode. Initially it was hoped that the program would make its debut during the 1985 ratings season and there was an option to extend the series to 26 episodes if the initial response was positive. [2]

By mid-1986, the media was asking questions as to why the series, "which had more pilots than TAA", had yet to appear. On Sunday 15 June 1986, The Sun-Herald TV Guide said, "The series was made last year and scripting of a new series has almost been completed". [3]

Rafferty's Rules eventually debuted on the Seven Network in February 1987.

The series was also shown in New Zealand on TV3 in 1989, and in the UK on Satellite channel Lifestyle in 1991. In New Zealand, it was shown Fridays at 9:30 p.m. In the UK, it was shown daily at 14:00.

In Australia, the series was last replayed nationally at 3 p.m. weekdays in 2006 on the Seven Network, although not entirely. Prior to that, Seven broadcast the series at the 10–11 a.m. weekday timeslot in the late 1990s. More recently,[ when? ] the series was available on the 7plus "on-demand" service.

Awards

John Wood received the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor in both 1988 and 1989, and Catherine Wilkin received the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress in 1988. [4] [5]

Rafferty's Rules was named Best Drama Series at the 1988 Penguin Awards, while Peter Carroll won Best Actor in a Series and Michael Cove won Best Scriptwriter for Drama Series. [6]

Plot

Michael Aloysius Rafferty, who is a stipendiary magistrate, drives to work in an old blue VW Kombi van. He owns a cat named Rhubarb.

Rafferty is separated from his wife, with whom he had two children (a son and a daughter).

Rafferty also has an older daughter, Rebecca Browning, who is in her early twenties—and of whose existence he was unaware until she contacted him after she had grown up. (Rebecca's mother is a woman who Michael Rafferty had known before he met his wife, and who he had not seen since his marriage.)

Rafferty also has a brother, Patrick Rafferty, who is a state Member of Parliament.

Cast

Main / regular

Recurring

ActorRoleEps.
Andrew McFarlane Sgt. Gibson, Police Prosecutor10 episodes
Julie Nihill Cathy Gregory3 episodes
John Gregg Baraclough6 episodes
Lisa Crittenden Sandra Frangellomini5 episodes
Paul Chubb Patrick Rafferty3 episodes
Richard Carter Detective Sgt. Brown21 episodes
Rhondda Findleton Sue Gibson4 episodes
Terry Serio Bomber Clayton, Police Prosecutor4 episodes

Guests

ActorRoleEps.
Abigail Michelle Dobbs1 episode
Alan Lovell Police Constable Evans / Sam Rankin2 episodes
Alistair Duncan Rex Jacoby1 episode
Alister Smart Robson1 episode
Alwyn Kurts George Bradstock1 episode
Amanda Muggleton 1 episode
Angela Punch McGregor Christine Stanton1 episode
Anna Hruby Di Mulroney1 episode
Anna Maria Monticelli Diana Newby1 episode
Anna Volska Frieda1 episode
Anni Finsterer Narelle Grimes / TV Publicist2 episodes
Annie Byron Christine Clarke1 episode
Arna-Maria Winchester Rose Willis1 episode
Ben Oxenbould Dodger / Young Bank Customer2 episodes
Benita Collings Magda1 episode
Bob Hornery Reg Dwight1 episode
Brett Climo Peter Becker1 episode
Brian Rooney Tommy1 episode
Brian Vriends Lance Dewitt1 episode
Bruce Barry Malcolm Farrer1 episode
Bruce Spence Emmanuel Triggs2 episodes
Bruno Lucia Franco Scali1 episode
Carmen Duncan Stella Samuels1 episode
Carol Raye
Danielle Spencer Toni Moller1 episode
Danny Adcock Mick Robbins / George Henty2 episodes
Danny Roberts Eric Blake1 episode
David Nettheim Dr Turpin1 episode
David Wenham Matthieson / Thug 12 episodes
Deborah Kara Unger Jill Bennett1 episode
Deborah Kennedy Miss Herron1 episode
Debra Byrne Sally Edwards / Tricia Rogan2 episodes
Deidre Rubenstein Peggy Guest1 episode
Denise Roberts Babysitter1 episode
Dennis Miller Ronald Harvey1 episode
Derryn Hinch TV Newscaster1 episode
Dinah Shearing Vera Grey1 episode
Doc Neeson John 'Jacko' Corrigan1 episode
Ed Devereaux Det Sgt Updike1 episode
Ernie Dingo Wayne Williams1 episode
Esben Storm Norm Angstrom1 episode
Frank Gallacher Louis D'Oering1 episode
Frank Lloyd Mr Fisher1 episode
Frankie J. Holden Quiz Compere1 episode
Genevieve Lemon Julie1 episode
Geoff Cartwright Carl Jensen1 episode
Geoff Morrell Alan TillamanSeason 4, episode 9
George Spartels Stefan Bosnjak1 episode
Georgie Parker Lucy1 episode
Gia Carides Sally1 episode
Gillian Jones Paula Brent1 episode
Glenn Shorrock Ray Aston1 episode
Gosia Dobrowolska Maz1 episode
Graeme Blundell Billy Wiley1 episode
Greg Stone
Henri Szeps Uncle Aniello2 episodes
Ivar Kants Father Phelan1 episode
Jan Adele Mrs Gunning1 episode
Jeanie Drynan Carol Taylor1 episode
Jeff Truman Hartnell1 episode
Jennifer Hagan Nadine Karsky1 episode
John Clayton Harry Grant / Briggs2 episodes
John Ewart George Burwood / Halliday2 episodes
John Hamblin Tom Herman1 episode
John Polson Garth Manson1 episode
John Sheerin Bill Blake1 episode
Jon English David AnsonSeason 2, episode 2
Jonathan Biggins Angus MacLean2 episodes
Jonathan Coleman Brandon1 episode
Jonathan Hardy Mr Linnehan1 episode
Joy Hruby Dero Lady / Mrs Barnes2 episodes
Judi Farr Rhonda White1 episode
Julian McMahon Police Witness1 episode
Julie Nihill Cathy Gregory2 episodes
Justin Rosniak Hamish1 episode
Kate Sheil Joy Finlayson
Kerry McGuire Irene Doonan2 episodes
Kris McQuade Pamela Gordon1 episode
Les Dayman Sergeant Davis1 episode
Lois Ramsey Miss Mitford1 episode
Lorna Lesley Connie Apps1 episode
Lorraine Bayly Gwen Forster / Audrey Shepherd2 episodes
Lucky Grills Darryl Hayes1 episode
Lynette Curran Dr Curlewis1 episode
Maggie Dence Vanessa Pearce1 episode
Marina Finlay Emma1 episode
Mark Strickson Gavin Keyes1 episode
Marshall Napier Alex Reid1 episode
Martin Vaughan Bill Coglan / Jackie Blythe2 episodes
Matt Day Jeff Wilson1 episode
Max Cullen Mr Lee1 episode
Max Phipps Vern O'Connor1 episode
Melissa Bell Angela Griffin1 episode
Michael Caton Joe Fletcher1 episode
Michele Fawdon Narelle Saxon1 episode
Michelle Pettigrove Libby Carroll1 episode
Miles Buchanan Evan Fairchild1 episode
Monica Trapaga Andy Martinez1 episode
Mouche Phillips Mary Brent1 episode
Nancye Hayes Sheree Martin1 episode
Neil Melville Banks1 episode
Nick Enright Captain Lewis1 episode
Nico Lathouris Kevin Grumley1 episode
Nina Landis Jan Mondale1 episode
Norman Coburn Constable Skeggs / Doug2 episodes
Norman Kaye Harold Messenger1 episode
Norman Yemm Phil Newman1 episode
Normie Rowe Geoff Wirrell1 episode
Owen Weingott Karl Becker / Samuel Spink2 episodes
Pat Bishop Mrs Annie Hartnoll1 episode
Patrick PhillipsYoung Solicitor1 episode
Patrick Ward Ian 'Freddy' Frogmore1 episode
Penne Hackforth-Jones Sinclair / Danielle2 episodes
Peta Toppano Dana Coldrick1 episode
Peter Fisher Ritchie McMahon / Robbo2 episodes
Peter Greenwood Robert Guthrie, football thug1 episode [7]
Peter Hayes Peter Booth
Peter Carroll Percy Eliot1 episode
Peter Hosking Gavin Courtney1 episode
Peter Kowitz Bernie Manders1 episode
Peter Phelps James Frederick1 episode
Peter Whitford Harmon / William Walker2 episodes
Phillip Ross Tom Daley1 episode
Queenie Ashton Mrs Capra1 episode
Ralph Cotterill Ken Parker1 episode
Ray Meagher George1 episode
Rebecca Rigg Rebecca Browning2 episodes
Rebecca Smart Jackie Rogan1 episode
Richard Moir Geoffrey Sole1 episode
Ritchie Singer Mr Yilmaz / P.C. Falco2 episodes
Robert Coleby David Andrews1 episode
Robert Mammone Brad / Craig Hill2 episodes
Robert Taylor Constable Hanks1 episode
Rod Mullinar Harry Bartle1 episode
Roger Ward Albert Potts2 episodes
Ron Graham Frank White1 episode
Ron Shand Sid Clutten1 episode
Ross Newton James1 episode
Roy Billing Reg Markham1 episode
Russell Crowe Bobby Jarvis1 episode
Sandy Gore Helen Hawthorne2 episodes
Sarah Chadwick Ms Finnegan1 episode
Sarah Lambert Rudi Apps1 episode
Sheila Florance Mrs Patterson1 episode
Simon Westaway Vincent Paul Vincent1 episode
Steven Vidler Barry Baxter1 episode
Stuart Wagstaff Scott Hopkins2 episodes
Ted Hamilton Snowy White1 episode
Tiffany Lamb Liz1 episode
Tim Robertson Mervyn Starkey1 episode
Tina Bursill Erica Jamieson2 episodes
Vince Sorrenti Joe Szabo1 episode
Vincent Ball Mathew1 episode
Wayne Pygram Bathgate1 episode
Wendy Playfair 1 episode
William McInnes Craig Farner1 episode
Willie Fennell Jim Stevens1 episode
Wynn Roberts Matt Keegan1 episode
Zoe Carides Janine Tate / Mardi2 episodes

[8]

Series location

The series is based at a Magistrates' Court in Manly (a Sydney beachside suburb), over which Rafferty presided.

Related Research Articles

<i>Home and Away</i> Australian television soap opera

Home and Away (H&A) is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a trip to Kangaroo Point, New South Wales, where he noticed locals were complaining about the construction of a foster home and against the idea of foster children from the city living in the area. The soap opera was initially going to be called Refuge, but the name was changed to the "friendlier" title of Home and Away once production began.

<i>Kath & Kim</i> Australian comedy television series

Kath & Kim is an Australian sitcom originally airing in the prime-time slot on ABC Television from 2002 and 2005 and subsequently on the Seven Network in 2007 and 2022. The show was produced by Riley and Turner Productions, the firm of Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who star as the titular characters of Kath Day-Knight, a cheery, middle-aged suburban mother, and Kim, her narcissistic daughter. Additional cast members include Glenn Robbins as Kel Knight, Kath's metrosexual boyfriend ; Kim's henpecked husband Brett Craig, and her lonely "second-best friend" Magda Szubanski as Sharon Strzelecki. The series is set in Fountain Lakes, a fictional suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The series received highly positive reviews from critics, who praised the humor and cast performances, particularly of Turner and Riley.

<i>The Secret Life of Us</i> Australian television drama series

The Secret Life of Us is an Australian television drama series set in the beachside neighbourhood of St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is primarily a drama with some comedic moments. The series was produced by Southern Star Group and screened in Australia from 2001 to 2005 on Network Ten and on Channel 4 in the UK. Initially co-funded by the two networks, Channel 4 pulled out after the third series and the fourth series was not aired in the UK. The series won three silver Logie Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logie Awards</span> Annual Australian television awards

The TV Week Logie Awards is an annual ceremony celebrating and honouring the best shows and stars in Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine TV Week. The event is telecast live and billed as "television's night of nights". The first ceremony was hosted in 1959 as the TV Week Awards.

<i>McLeods Daughters</i> 2001-2009 Popular Australian TV dramatic series

McLeod's Daughters is an Australian drama television series created by Posie Graeme-Evans and Caroline Stanton for the Nine Network, which aired from 8 August 2001, to 31 January 2009, lasting eight seasons. It stars Lisa Chappell and Bridie Carter in the leading roles as two sisters reunited after twenty years of separation, thrust into a working relationship when they inherit their family's cattle station in South Australia. The series is produced by Millennium Television, in association with Nine Films and Television and Southern Star. Graeme-Evans, Kris Noble and Susan Bower served as the original executive producers.

<i>Blue Heelers</i> Australian police drama series

Blue Heelers is an Australian police drama series that was produced by Southern Star Group and ran for twelve years on the Seven Network, from 1994 to 2006. Although based around the policing of the town, the series generally depicted the everyday lives and relationships of the residents of Mount Thomas, a fictional small town in Victoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Ritchie</span> Australian actress, radio presenter, and childrens author (born 1978)

Katherine Leigh Ritchie is an Australian actress, radio presenter, and children's author. She is best known for her long-running role as original character Sally Fletcher on the television soap opera Home and Away, for which she won two Gold Logie awards. She played the character for 20 years, appearing from the pilot episode in 1988 until 2008. She currently co-hosts Nova 96.9's breakfast show Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie alongside Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli. Ritchie was part of Nova FM's national drive show, Kate, Tim & Joel with Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey from 2014 until 2023.

<i>A Country Practice</i> Australian television series

A Country Practice is an Australian television soap opera/serial which was broadcast on the Seven Network from 18 November 1981 until 22 November 1993, and subsequently on Network Ten from 13 April 1994 to 5 November 1994. Altogether, 14 seasons and 1,088 episodes were produced.

John Wood is an Australian television Gold Logie Award-winning actor and scriptwriter.

The 18th Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Friday 12 March 1976 at Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne and broadcast on the Nine Network. Bert Newton from the Nine Network was the Master of Ceremonies. American film star Lee Marvin, television actors Henry Winkler, Martin Milner and Arte Johnson, and British actors Gordon Jackson and Susannah York appeared as guests.

Homicide was a landmark Australian television police procedural drama series broadcast on the Seven Network and produced by Crawford Productions. It was the television successor to Crawfords' radio series D24. The "Consummate Homicide cast" includes the four characters that are the best known: Det. Snr. Sgt. David "Mac" MacKay, Det. Sgt. Peter Barnes, Inspector Colin Fox and Sen. Det. Jim Patterson.

Posie Graeme-Evans is an Australian novelist, television and film producer, editor, screenwriter and director. She is best known as the creator and showrunner of McLeod's Daughters, the co-creator and co-producer of Hi-5, producing and creating Mirror, Mirror, and was Director of Drama for the Nine Network from 2002 to 2005. As an author she is known for six historical novels, published by NY based Simon & Schuster.

The Penguin Award was an annual award given for excellence in broadcasting by the Television Society of Australia. It was founded in 1954. The award trophy depicts an ear listening to a television tube, but strongly resembles a penguin, hence the name. The award was designed by Des White, an artist and designer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

<i>McLeods Daughters</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the long-running Australian outback drama McLeod's Daughters began airing on 12 February 2003, and concluded on 29 October 2003, with a total of 30 episodes.

<i>McLeods Daughters</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the long-running Australian outback drama McLeod's Daughters began airing on 27 March 2002 and concluded on 16 October 2002 with a total of 22 episodes. Created by Posie Graeme-Evans and Caroline Stanton, the format is produced by Millenium Television and Nine Films and Television for the Nine Network distributed by Southern Star Group.

<i>Blue Heelers</i> season 13 Season of television series

The thirteenth and final season of the Australian police drama Blue Heelers premiered on the Seven Network on 1 April 2006 and aired on Saturday nights at 8:30 pm. The 11-episode season concluded 4 June 2006, due to its cancellation by the Seven Network as a result of its sharp decline in ratings. When, in late 2005, the time came to renew Blue Heelers, Seven commissioned eleven further episodes to be produced, but its future after this was still undecided.

<i>McLeods Daughters</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the long-running Australian outback drama McLeod's Daughters began airing on 8 August 2001 and concluded on 22 March 2002 with a total of 22 episodes. Created by Posie Graeme-Evans and Caroline Stanton, the format is produced by Millennium Television and Nine Films and Television for the Nine Network distributed by Southern Star Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logie Awards of 2013</span>

The 55th Annual TV Week Logie Awards was held on Sunday 7 April 2013 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, and broadcast on the Nine Network and simulcast of Today Network's radio stations. Public voting for the "Most Popular" categories were conducted through an online survey from late November 2012 to 10 February 2013. Nominations were announced on 11 March 2013. Network Ten's Offspring received the most nominations with eight. Hamish and Andy's Euro Gap Year, Hamish and Andy's Caravan of Courage: Australia Vs New Zealand, Home and Away, Howzat! Kerry Packer's War, and Puberty Blues each received five nominations. Television presenter Brian Henderson was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.

References

  1. Harrison, Tony (1994). The Australian Film and Television Companion. East Roseville, NSW: Simon & Schuster Australia. ISBN   0731804554.
  2. "Rafferty's Rules is a triumph for John Wood – TV star and now writer!". The Sydney Morning Herald . 27 January 1985. p. 57. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  3. "Nine romps home in ratings". The Sun-Herald . 15 June 1986. p. 122.[ dead link ]
  4. "Logie Award Winners, 1988". TV Week . Archived from the original on 14 February 2006.
  5. "Logie Award Winners, 1989". TV Week. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011.
  6. Hook, Barbara (21 November 1988). "Doogue aside, Penguins look good". The Age . Retrieved 4 February 2021 via Newspapers.com. Lock-green.svg
  7. "Peter Greenwood (I) (1962–2021)". IMDb.
  8. "Australian Television: Rafferty's Rules".