Rafferty's Rules

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Rafferty's Rules
GenreLegal drama
Created byBen Lewin
StarringJohn 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
NetworkSeven 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.

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

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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

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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

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Main / regular

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Recurring

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Actor Role Eps.
Andrew McFarlane Sgt. Gibson, Police Prosecutor 10 episodes
John Gregg Baraclough 6 episodes
Lisa Crittenden Sandra Frangellomini 5 episodes
Paul Chubb Patrick Rafferty 3 episodes
Richard Carter Detective Sgt. Brown 21 episodes
Rhondda Findleton Sue Gibson 4 episodes
Terry Serio Bomber Clayton, Police Prosecutor 4 episodes

Guests

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Actor Role Eps.
Abigail Michelle Dobbs 1 episode
Alan Lovell Police Constable Evans / Sam Rankin 2 episodes
Alistair Duncan Rex Jacoby 1 episode
Alister Smart Robson 1 episode
Alwyn Kurts George Bradstock 1 episode
Amanda Muggleton 1 episode
Angela Punch McGregor Christine Stanton 1 episode
Anna Hruby Di Mulroney 1 episode
Anna Maria Monticelli Diana Newby 1 episode
Anna Volska Frieda 1 episode
Anni Finsterer Narelle Grimes / TV Publicist 2 episodes
Annie Byron Christine Clarke 1 episode
Arna-Maria Winchester Rose Willis 1 episode
Ben Oxenbould Dodger / Young Bank Customer 2 episodes
Benita Collings Magda 1 episode
Bob Hornery Reg Dwight 1 episode
Brett Climo Peter Becker 1 episode
Brian Rooney Tommy 1 episode
Brian Vriends Lance Dewitt 1 episode
Bruce Barry Malcolm Farrer 1 episode
Bruce Spence Emmanuel Triggs 2 episodes
Bruno Lucia Franco Scali 1 episode
Carmen Duncan Stella Samuels 1 episode
Carol Raye
Danielle Spencer Toni Moller 1 episode
Danny Adcock Mick Robbins / George Henty 2 episodes
Danny Roberts Eric Blake 1 episode
David Nettheim Dr Turpin 1 episode
David Wenham Matthieson / Thug 1 2 episodes
Deborah Kara Unger Jill Bennett 1 episode
Deborah Kennedy Miss Herron 1 episode
Debra Byrne Sally Edwards / Tricia Rogan 2 episodes
Deidre Rubenstein Peggy Guest 1 episode
Denise Roberts Babysitter 1 episode
Dennis Miller Ronald Harvey 1 episode
Derryn Hinch TV Newscaster 1 episode
Dinah Shearing Vera Grey 1 episode
Doc Neeson John 'Jacko' Corrigan 1 episode
Ed Devereaux Det Sgt Updike 1 episode
Ernie Dingo Wayne Williams 1 episode
Esben Storm Norm Angstrom 1 episode
Frank Gallacher Louis D'Oering 1 episode
Frank Lloyd Mr Fisher 1 episode
Frankie J. Holden Quiz Compere 1 episode
Genevieve Lemon Julie 1 episode
Geoff Cartwright Carl Jensen 1 episode
Geoff Morrell Alan Tillaman Season 4, episode 9
George Spartels Stefan Bosnjak 1 episode
Georgie Parker Lucy 1 episode
Gia Carides Sally 1 episode
Gillian Jones Paula Brent 1 episode
Glenn Shorrock Ray Aston 1 episode
Gosia Dobrowolska Maz 1 episode
Graeme Blundell Billy Wiley 1 episode
Greg Stone
Henri Szeps Uncle Aniello 2 episodes
Ivar Kants Father Phelan 1 episode
Jan Adele Mrs Gunning 1 episode
Jeanie Drynan Carol Taylor 1 episode
Jeff Truman Hartnell 1 episode
Jennifer Hagan Nadine Karsky 1 episode
John Clayton Harry Grant / Briggs 2 episodes
John Ewart George Burwood / Halliday 2 episodes
John Hamblin Tom Herman 1 episode
John Polson Garth Manson 1 episode
John Sheerin Bill Blake 1 episode
Jon English David Anson Season 2, episode 2
Jonathan Biggins Angus MacLean 2 episodes
Jonathan Coleman Brandon 1 episode
Jonathan Hardy Mr Linnehan 1 episode
Joy Hruby Dero Lady / Mrs Barnes 2 episodes
Judi Farr Rhonda White 1 episode
Julian McMahon Police Witness 1 episode
Julie Nihill Cathy Gregory 2 episodes
Justin Rosniak Hamish 1 episode
Kate Sheil Joy Finlayson
Kerry McGuire Irene Doonan 2 episodes
Kris McQuade Pamela Gordon 1 episode
Les Dayman Sergeant Davis 1 episode
Lois Ramsey Miss Mitford 1 episode
Lorna Lesley Connie Apps 1 episode
Lorraine Bayly Gwen Forster / Audrey Shepherd 2 episodes
Lucky Grills Darryl Hayes 1 episode
Lynette Curran Dr Curlewis 1 episode
Maggie Dence Vanessa Pearce 1 episode
Marina Finlay Emma 1 episode
Mark Strickson Gavin Keyes 1 episode
Marshall Napier Alex Reid 1 episode
Martin Vaughan Bill Coglan / Jackie Blythe 2 episodes
Matt Day Jeff Wilson 1 episode
Max Cullen Mr Lee 1 episode
Max Phipps Vern O'Connor 1 episode
Melissa Bell Angela Griffin 1 episode
Michael Caton Joe Fletcher 1 episode
Michele Fawdon Narelle Saxon 1 episode
Michelle Pettigrove Libby Carroll 1 episode
Miles Buchanan Evan Fairchild 1 episode
Monica Trapaga Andy Martinez 1 episode
Mouche Phillips Mary Brent 1 episode
Nancye Hayes Sheree Martin 1 episode
Neil Melville Banks 1 episode
Nick Enright Captain Lewis 1 episode
Nico Lathouris Kevin Grumley 1 episode
Nina Landis Jan Mondale 1 episode
Norman Coburn Constable Skeggs / Doug 2 episodes
Norman Kaye Harold Messenger 1 episode
Norman Yemm Phil Newman 1 episode
Normie Rowe Geoff Wirrell 1 episode
Owen Weingott Karl Becker / Samuel Spink 2 episodes
Pat Bishop Mrs Annie Hartnoll 1 episode
Patrick Phillips Young Solicitor 1 episode
Patrick Ward Ian 'Freddy' Frogmore 1 episode
Penne Hackforth-Jones Sinclair / Danielle 2 episodes
Peta Toppano Dana Coldrick 1 episode
Peter Fisher Ritchie McMahon / Robbo 2 episodes
Peter Greenwood Robert Guthrie, football thug 1 episode[7]
Peter Hayes Peter Booth
Peter Carroll Percy Eliot 1 episode
Peter Hosking Gavin Courtney 1 episode
Peter Kowitz Bernie Manders 1 episode
Peter Phelps James Frederick 1 episode
Peter Whitford Harmon / William Walker 2 episodes
Phillip Ross Tom Daley 1 episode
Queenie Ashton Mrs Capra 1 episode
Ralph Cotterill Ken Parker 1 episode
Ray Meagher George 1 episode
Rebecca Rigg Rebecca Browning 2 episodes
Rebecca Smart Jackie Rogan 1 episode
Richard Moir Geoffrey Sole 1 episode
Ritchie Singer Mr Yilmaz / P.C. Falco 2 episodes
Robert Coleby David Andrews 1 episode
Robert Mammone Brad / Craig Hill 2 episodes
Robert Taylor Constable Hanks 1 episode
Rod Mullinar Harry Bartle 1 episode
Roger Ward Albert Potts 2 episodes
Ron Graham Frank White 1 episode
Ron Shand Sid Clutten 1 episode
Ross Newton James 1 episode
Roy Billing Reg Markham 1 episode
Russell Crowe Bobby Jarvis 1 episode
Sandy Gore Helen Hawthorne 2 episodes
Sarah Chadwick Ms Finnegan 1 episode
Sarah Lambert Rudi Apps 1 episode
Sheila Florance Mrs Patterson 1 episode
Simon Westaway Vincent Paul Vincent 1 episode
Steven Vidler Barry Baxter 1 episode
Stuart Wagstaff Scott Hopkins 2 episodes
Ted Hamilton Snowy White 1 episode
Tiffany Lamb Liz 1 episode
Tim Robertson Mervyn Starkey 1 episode
Tina Bursill Erica Jamieson 2 episodes
Vince Sorrenti Joe Szabo 1 episode
Vincent Ball Mathew 1 episode
Wayne Pygram Bathgate 1 episode
Wendy Playfair 1 episode
William McInnes Craig Farner 1 episode
Willie Fennell Jim Stevens 1 episode
Wynn Roberts Matt Keegan 1 episode
Zoe Carides Janine Tate / Mardi 2 episodes

[8]

Series location

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

References

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  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. Free access icon
  7. ^ "Peter Greenwood (I) (1962–2021)". IMDb.
  8. ^ "Australian Television: Rafferty's Rules".
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