Special Squad (Australian TV series)

Last updated

Special Squad
Genre Crime drama
Starring Alan Cassell
Anthony Hawkins
John Diedrich
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes43
Production
Executive producers Hector Crawford
Ian Crawford
Terry Stapleton
Producers Raymond Menmuir
Ross Jennings
Production company Crawford Productions
Original release
Network Network Ten
Release1984 (1984)

Special Squad is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for Network Ten in 1984.

Contents

Overview

The series focused on an elite division of the Victoria Police, which handled crimes either too sensitive or specialist for regular squads. The Special Squad was headed by Det. Insp. Don Anderson (Alan Cassell), with his main operatives being Det. Snr. Sgt. Greg Smith (Anthony Hawkins), and Det. Sgt. Joel Davis (John Diedrich).

Special Squad was seen by some as an Australian answer to the British series The Professionals both for its focus on action and violence, and the fact that both programs were produced by Raymond Menmuir; [1] story consultant Gerry O'Hara also worked on both shows. [2] It was suggested in the press that the show was the most expensive yet made for Australian television; John Diedrich told writer/actor Barry Dickins that the show cost A$5 million. [3] The first series was sold to Paramount Pictures for international distribution. [4]

Special Squad lasted 43 episodes in total. In 2023, Crawfords produced a box set of all episodes on DVD.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

ActorRoleEpisode
Abigail Mrs QuinnEpisode 18: "The Chen Legacy"
Alan David Lee Jimmy SteeleEpisode 36: "Return of the Cat"
Alex Menglet YuriEpisode 26: "Farewell to a Comrade"
Alister Smart HaskellEpisode 21: "A Wild Oat"
Alwyn Kurts TeddyEpisode 42: "Life After Teddy"
Anna Maria Monticelli Teresa ParrissaEpisode 3: "Code of Silence"
Anne Phelan Ma RobinsonEpisode 33: "Ghosts"
Antoinette Byron JasmineEpisode 12: "The Golden Run"
Arna-Maria Winchester Cassie SummersEpisode 17: "Wild Man"
Arthur Dignam GraysonEpisode 19: "Child of Fortune"
Bartholomew John John SuttonEpisode 14: "Slow Attack"
Ben Mendelsohn SpudEpisode 14: "Slow Attack"
Betty Bobbitt DaisyEpisode 32: "Until Death"
Billie Hammerberg AliceEpisode 19: "Child of Fortune"
Bob Baines Episode 4: "Easy Street"
Brian James BertEpisode 22: "Mates"
Brian Moll Charlie EverettEpisode 14: "Slow Attack"
Briony Behets Rhonda WatsonEpisode 7: "The Second Mr. Swift"
Bruce Barry SloanEpisode 6: "The Long Secret"
Bruce Spence ProfessorEpisode 36: "Return of the Cat"
Bruno Lawrence Arthur PooleEpisode 32: "Until Death"
Bryan Marshall CalvinEpisode 18: "The Chen Legacy"
Carmen Duncan LorraineEpisode 9: "Same Time Friday"
Chris Haywood Jeff CarterEpisode 6: "The Long Secret"
Christine Amor Robyn SymonsEpisode 34: "The Haley Inheritance"
Cliff Ellen Priester / Technician2 episodes
Daniel Abineri DillonEpisode 41: "Mad Mountain Mumma"
David Argue BazzaEpisode 27: "In the Cause of Justice"
Deborra-Lee Furness Liz JenkinsEpisode 6: "The Long Secret"
Dennis Miller FinchEpisode 33: "Ghosts"
Dina Mann MandyEpisode 11: "The Set-Up"
Dina Panozzo MariaEpisode 3: "Code of Silence"
Dinah Shearing MinsterEpisode 23: "Big Bad World"
Elizabeth Alexander EdithEpisode 8: "The Wurzburg Link"
Francis Bell BurnettEpisode 8: "The Wurzburg Link"
Frank Gallacher SlaterEpisode 24: "Earlybird"
Frank Wilson DoraheeEpisode 27: "In the Cause of Justice"
Frankie J. Holden Tony3 episodes
Genevieve Mooy MelissaEpisode 42: "Life After Teddy"
Gennie Nevinson KateEpisode 32: "Until Death"
Geoff Cartwright Dusan NarrosEpisode 29: "Killer"
Gerard Kennedy Harry TaitEpisode 1: "Trojan Horses"
Gerard Maguire HansenEpisode 8: "The Wurzburg Link"
Gil Tucker HammondEpisode 41: "Mad Mountain Mumma"
Glenn Robbins Episode 21: "A Wild Oat"
Grigor Taylor Bob DaleyEpisode 23: "Big Bad World"
Gus Mercurio HaliwellEpisode 38: "Mombasa"
Ian McFadyen EvansEpisode 5: "Counterfeit Lady"
Ilona Rodgers Helen AndersonEpisode 32: "Until Death"
Ivar Kants Scalese / Denning2 episodes
Jackie Woodburne SharonEpisode 22: "Mates"
James Smillie DonaghueEpisode 9: "Same Time Friday"
Jane Clifton KarenEpisode 31: "Brothers"
Jane Menelaus Penny Young"Episode 39: "The Haunting
Jeff Truman BugsEpisode 24: "Earlybird"
Jennifer Hagan RachelEpisode 21: "A Wild Oat"
Jill Forster Mrs. WatsonEpisode 25: "The Bribe"
John Ewart Mungo LennoxEpisode 38: "Mombassa"
John Frawley WhitemanEpisode 34: "The Haley Inheritance"
John Gaden AngelEpisode 25: "The Bribe"
John Gregg GolodkinEpisode 26: "Farewell to a Comrade"
John Jarratt Michael CohenEpisode 39: "The Haunting"
John McTernan TedEpisode 22: "Mates"
John Orcsik Ted RaffertyEpisode 15: "Country Girl"
John Wood Barron / Cawley2 episodes
Jon Blake PigEpisode 13: "Jacko"
Jon Finlayson DevonportEpisode 11: "The Set-Up"
Jonathan Sweet DelEpisode 24: "Earlybird"
Judith McGrath June HolgateEpisode 26: "Farewell to a Comrade"
Julia Blake Mrs StevensEpisode 15: "Country Girl"
Julianna Allan Episode 4: "Easy Street"
Julie Nihill TinaEpisode 43: "Gone for the Doctor"
Kaarin Fairfax KatieEpisode 17: "Wild Man"
Ken Wayne Ted BakerEpisode 7: "The Second Mr. Swift"
Lesley Baker ChambermaidEpisode 5: "Counterfeit Lady"
Leslie Dayman FitzgeraldEpisode 28: "Hot Streets"
Liddy Holloway Mrs. TaitEpisode 1: "Trojan Horses"
Lisa Aldenhoven Gina GraziniEpisode 8: "The Wurzburg Link"
Lorna Lesley SharonEpisode 9: "Same Time Friday"
Louise Siversen LauraEpisode 4: "Easy Street"
Lucky Grills EarwigEpisode 36: "Return of the Cat"
Maggie Millar JoyceEpisode 30: "The Patchwork"
Maria Mercedes Maria BaxterEpisode 28: "Hot Streets"
Marina Finlay SuzieEpisode 35: "Suzie's War"
Mark Mitchell 1 episode
Martin Vaughan Ben AlexanderEpisode 36: "Return of the Cat"
Maureen Edwards Mrs SharpEpisode 4: "Easy Street"
Max Phipps Arthur Lambert2 episodes
Mercia Deane-Johns MollyEpisode 35: "Suzie's War"
Michael Duffield FulcherEpisode 41: "Mad Mountain Momma"
Michael Long ScarfaceEpisode 34: "Suzie's War"
Michele Fawdon MaggieEpisode 36: "Return of the Cat"
Monica Maughan Mrs TraneEpisode 8: "The Würzburg Link"
Myra De Groot Grace KiddellEpisode 7: "The Second Mr. Swift"
Nicholas Eadie DriscollEpisode 18: "The Chen Legacy"
Nick Carrafa CamilleriEpisode 3: "Code of Silence"
Nick Tate Len HarrisEpisode 7: "In the Cause of Justice"
Nico Lathouris TommoEpisode 6: "The Long Secret"
Nigel Bradshaw GantEpisode 1: "Trojan Horses"
Nina Landis LisaEpisode 10: "Duel"
Norman Coburn GriffinEpisode 5: "Counterfeit Lady"
Norman Kaye Lenny / Skittles2 episodes
Pat Bishop Barbara ProwseEpisode 16: "War"
Paul Karo Shafer / Skinny2 episodes
Peter Cummins Dixie Hanrahan1 episode
Peter Curtin ThomasEpisode 13: "Jacko"
Peter Fisher FrenchEpisode 31: "Brothers"
Peter Moon EddieEpisode 11: "The Set-Up"
Peter O'Brien BillyEpisode 16: "War"
Peter Sumner Nick HardyEpisode 1: "Trojan Horses"
Peter Whitford StanEpisode 28: "Hot Streets"
Philip Quast JaegerEpisode 8: "The Wurzburg Link"
Ralph Cotterill AmbroseEpisode 20: "Business as Usual"
Rebecca Gilling HelenEpisode 11: "The Set-Up"
Red Symons WartonEpisode 9: "Same Time Friday"
Reg Gorman RyanEpisode 1: "Trojan Horses"
Rhys McConnochie MathiesonEpisode 21: "A Wild Oat"
Richard Moir ErrolEpisode 43: "Gone for the Doctor"
Ricky May MandrakeEpisode 27: "In the Cause of Justice"
Robert Coleby ScottEpisode 22: "Mates"
Robert Grubb SimsEpisode 19: "Child of Fortune"
Robin Ramsay MassiniEpisode 30: "The Patchwork"
Roger Oakley ConlonEpisode 23: "Big Bad World"
Roger Ward Bill Foster / Peaches2 episodes
Ronne Arnold KwanEpisode 23: "Big Bad World"
Roslyn Gentle Judith DeansEpisode 14: Slow Attack"
Sally McKenzie HannahEpisode 26: "Farewell to a Comrade"
Scott Burgess MichaelEpisode 31: "Brothers"
Sean Scully Leo Teller / Kevin O'Neill2 episodes
Serge Lazareff KelletEpisode 31: "Brothers"
Shane Briant Ian CummingsEpisode 14: "Slow Attack"
Simon Chilvers MaguireEpisode 12: "The Golden Run"
Steve Bastoni SergeEpisode 17: "Wild Man"
Steve Bisley T-BarEpisode 24: "Earlybird"
Terry Gill LambertEpisode 25: "The Bribe"
Terry McDermott InspectorEpisode 13: "Jacko"
Tim Robertson RobertsEpisode 2: "The Expert"
Tina Bursill MeredithEpisode 25: "The Bribe"
Tom Oliver TobinEpisode 3: "Code of Silence"
Tommy Dysart Scottie / Bingo Caller2 episodes
Tony Bonner CarverEpisode 35: "Suzie's War"
Tottie Goldsmith FionaEpisode 9: "Same Time Friday"
Trevor Kent Doggy BarkerEpisode 4: "Easy Street"
Vic Gordon Dr. John PerryEpisode 15: "Country Girl"
Vincent Ball Morgan / Senior Official2 episodes
Vincent Gil The BlindmanEpisode 16: "War"
Willie Fennell Sol GreenbergEpisode 32: "Until Death"
Wyn Roberts Superintendent Kerslake3 episodes

Episode list

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Trojan Horses"Ross Jennings Shane Brennan TBA
22"The Expert"Arch NicholsonJohn UptonTBA
33"Code of Silence"Rod HardyVince Moran1984 (1984)
44"Easy Street"TBATBATBA
55"Counterfeit Lady"Patrick EdgeworthArch NicholsonTBA
66"The Long Secret"Tim BurstallShane Brennan22 July 1984 (1984-07-22)
77"The Second Mr Swift"TBATBATBA
88"The Wurzburg Link"TBATBATBA
99"Same Time Friday"Chris LangmanDavid Wilks and Gerry O'HaraTBA
1010"Duel"Arch NicholsonLuis BayonasTBA
1111"The Set Up"Paul MoloneyJohn UptonTBA
1212"The Golden Run"Ranald GrahamCatherine MillarTBA
1313"Jacko"Arch NicholsonLuis BayonasTBA
1414"Slow Attack"Paul MaloneyPhilip DalkinTBA
1515"Country Girl"Arch NicholsonCliff GreenTBA
1616"War"Catherine MillarEverett De Roche and Vince MoranTBA
1717"Wild Man"Paul MoloneyRanald GrahamTBA
1818"The Chen Legacy"Chris LangmanShane BrennanTBA
1919"Child Of Fortune"Tim BurstallRanald GrahamTBA
2020"Business As Usual"Mark JoffeShane Brennan and Kris SteeleTBA
2121"A Wild Oat"Brian Trenchard-SmithLeon SaundersTBA
2222"Mates"Rob StewartLuis BayonasTBA
2323"Big Bad World" Howard Rubie Cliff GreenTBA
2424"Early Birds"Rob StewartMichael HarveyTBA
2525"The Bribe"TBATBATBA
2626"Farewell to a Comrade"Michael CaulfieldShane BrennanTBA
2727"In The Cause Of Justice"TBATBATBA
2828"Hot Streets"TBAMichael AitkensTBA
2929"Killer"TBATBATBA
3030"The Patchwork"TBADavid PhillipsTBA
3131"Brothers"TBATBATBA
3232"Until Death"Rod HardyVince MoranTBA
3333"Ghosts"TBAVince GilTBA
3434"The Haley Inheritance"Colin BuddsShane BrennanTBA
3535"Suzie's War"Dan BurstallLuis BayonasTBA
3636"Return Of The Cat"John PowerJohn UptonTBA
3737"Pigs"Ken CameronShane BrennanTBA
3838"Mombasa"TBATBATBA
3939"The Haunting"Tim BurstallLuis BayonasTBA
4040"Rotten Apple"TBATBATBA
4141"Mad Mountain Mumma"TBATBATBA
4242"Life After Teddy"Colin BuddsShane BrennanTBA
4343"Gone for the Doctor"TBATBATBA

Home media

In January 2023 Crawford Productions announced that the series would be released on DVD in March 2023.

On 31 May 2023 Crawford Productions released the complete series on DVD.

TitleFormatEp #DiscsRegion 4 (Australia)Special FeaturesDistributors
Special Squad (Complete Series)DVD430931 May 2023None Crawford Productions

References

  1. Garrie Hutchison, "Special Squad: Gloss Can't Hide Faults" Melbourne Age 16 August 1984 p. 35
  2. Tim Cribb, 'Crawford's Cops Return' Sydney Morning Herald 'The Guide' section, 20 August 1984, p. 2
  3. Barry Dickins 'Take Ten - in the Pigeon Coop' Melbourne Age 'Green Guide' section, 31 January 1985 p. 9
  4. Tim Cribb, 'Crawford's Cops Return' Sydney Morning Herald 'The Guide' section, 20 August 1984, p. 2