Good Guys, Bad Guys
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Television series |
Good Guys, Bad Guys is an Australian television series blending comedy and drama that was broadcast on the Nine Network between 1997 and 1998. The show delivered a telemovie alongside twenty-six episodes. Set against the backdrop of Melbourne, this crime-centered narrative revolves around Elvis Maginnis, a disgraced ex-police officer with ties to a criminal family, a role crafted expressly for Marcus Graham, notable for his work on the soap opera E Street (TV series).
Elvis operates "K for Kleen," a drycleaning business overseen by Stella Kinsella (Alison Whyte, recognized from Frontline) and Reuben Zeus (Travis McMahon, who recently appeared in Last Man Standing). The shop faces financial difficulties as Elvis tries to maintain integrity amidst his family's pressures, while Stella is determined to turn the enterprise into a successful venture.
Production primarily took place in Melbourne’s inner-city neighborhoods, including St. Kilda, Fitzroy, and Carlton. The series incorporates local landmarks and Melbourne trams to reinforce its authentic urban setting. Its soundtrack features leading Australian musicians such as Regurgitator, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Avalanches, and The Cruel Sea, complementing the show’s contemporary atmosphere.
Main
- Marcus Graham portraying Elvis Maginnis
- Alison Whyte as Stella Kinsella
- Travis McMahon in the role of Reuben Zeus
Guests
- Alan Hopgood as Judge Moody
- Anna Lise Phillips playing Emily Costello
- Annie Jones as Veronica Flaherty
- Ben Mendelsohn appearing as Brian O'Malley (1 episode)
- Belinda Giblin as Loretta Monk
- Brett Swain portraying Baxter (2 episodes)
- Bruce Spence in the role of Squirt Man
- Claudia Black as Jill Mayhew
- Christopher Mayer playing Declan
- Damien Fotiou as Johnny Lubich (1 episode)
- Denise Scott appearing as Waitress (1 episode)
- Dennis Miller as Rufus King
- Frankie J. Holden portraying Sgt Brann
- Gemma Bishop as Laura (1 episode)
- Gerald Lepkowski in the role of Tierney (1 episode)
- Grant Piro playing Gavin 'The Goat' La Rousse
- Greg Stone as Steve Mason (1 episode)
- Jack Finsterer portraying Christie Maginnis (1 episode)
- Jane Hall as Allie Andrews (1 episode)
- John O'May in the role of Tyrone O'Keefe (1 episode)
- John McTernan portraying Chief Commissioner Fuller
- John Waters as Oscar Drake
- Kristian Schmid playing Jimmy Costello (1 episode)
- Lenita Vangellis as Anna Bitta (1 episode)
- Lesley Baker appearing as Rose / Ms Pinney (2 episodes)
- Lisa Hensley in the role of Dorothy O'Malley (1 episode)
- Louise Siversen portraying Shannon Blightie (1 episode)
- Magda Szubanski as Bella Bouvier
- Mary Coustas playing Madonna Kapello
- Martin Copping as Porter
- Matthew Newton portraying Casper Moody
- Mike Bishop appearing as Frank Little (1 episode)
- Nadine Garner in the role of Jinx (pilot episode)
- Nicholas Bell as Dennis
- Norman Hancock
- Norman Kaye playing Roly Finster (1 episode)
- Peta Brady as Susie Crake (2 episodes)
- Petra Yared portraying Taylor
- Red Symons
- Robert Mammone in the role of Cosimo (1 episode)
- Roger Oakley playing Ron 'Maddog' Morello
- Samuel Johnson as Dermott Maginnis (5 episodes)
- Shane Connor portraying Bianco (2 episodes)
- Sonia Todd in the role of Wendy Johnson
- Sophie Lee appearing as Amy (pilot episode)
- Stefan Dennis playing Andy Caesar (1 episode)
- Tammy MacIntosh as Holly Swift
- Tracy Mann portraying Brenda Wick (1 episode)
- Troy Beckwith as Smithy
- Vince Colosimo in the role of Zoran
- Zoe Carides playing Skye Rinker
Awards
At the 1997 Australian Film Institute Awards, the series earned the accolade for Best Mini-Series or Telefeature. The following year, in 1998, cast member Alison Whyte was nominated for the Logie Award in the category of Most Outstanding Actress.
International broadcasts
During 1997 and 1998, the show was broadcast in Russia on the channels TV Tsentr and Stolitsa.
Home media
The first season of Good Guys, Bad Guys became available on DVD through Force Australia in April 2007. After Force Australia discontinued its operations, season two was issued by Beyond Home Entertainment in September 2007. Various distributors released complete series box sets from 2013 through to 2021.
| DVD title | Format | Number of episodes | Number of discs | Australian Region 4 release date | Special features | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Guys, Bad Guys (Season 01) | DVD | 13 | 4 | 18 April 2007 | None | Force Australia |
| Good Guys, Bad Guys (Season 02) | DVD | 13 | 4 | 12 September 2007 | None | Beyond Home Entertainment |
| Good Guys, Bad Guys: The Complete Collection | DVD | 26 | 8 | 4 September 2013 | None | |
| Good Guys, Bad Guys: The Complete Collection | DVD | 26 | 8 | 20 April 2016 | None | Beyond Home Entertainment |
| Good Guys, Bad Guys: The Complete Series | DVD | 26 | 8 | 15 September 2021 | None | Via Vision Entertainment |