HeadLand
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television drama |
| Founded | November 15, 2005 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Drama television series |
| Website | 7plus |
headLand is an Australian drama series created by the Seven Network, which was broadcast from 15 November 2005 until 21 January 2006. The network produced a total of 52 episodes for the initial season, and production for the second season commenced prior to the series debut.
The show, set within a university environment, premiered in Australia on 15 November 2005 at 7:30 pm. On 23 January 2006, the Seven Network confirmed the cancellation of the series. In the United Kingdom, headLand was initially shown on E4 in a half-hour format before being discontinued; subsequently, episodes were aired on Channel 4 in their original hour-long version.
Storylines
The central narrative revolved around a tragic car accident that resulted in four fatalities and left the driver, Craig Palmer, in a coma. Suffering from memory loss, Craig eventually recalled information suggesting that his girlfriend Angela McKinnon—who perished in the crash—was involved with drugs at a party where John, Craig’s best friend who also died, unintentionally ingested some. The investigation uncovered stolen mobile phones and Detective Sam Wiley’s involvement. Although Craig was convicted, he received a reduced punishment of 100 hours of community service following Sam’s testimony.
Another significant storyline explored Adam Wilde’s complicated relationship with his father Ben Wilde, who was incarcerated for the murder of Adam’s mother amid uncertainty about Adam’s paternity, with bartender Mick McKinnon as a potential father figure. A DNA test ultimately confirmed Ben as Adam’s biological father.
Main
- Sam Atwell as Craig Palmer
- Conrad Coleby as Adam Wilde
- Brooke Harman as Kate Monk
- Sophie Katinis as Mel Bennett
- Jody Kennedy as Maddie McKinnon
- Adrienne Pickering as Elly Tate
- Steve Rodgers as Mick McKinnon
- Josh Quong Tart as Will Monk
- Reshad Strik as Andy Llewellyn
- Libby Tanner as Grace Palmer
- Rachael Taylor as Sasha Forbes
- Matthew Walker as Heath Forbes
- Yvonne Strahovski as Freya Lewis
- Rowan Schlosberg as Gareth Williams
Recurring
- Gyton Grantley portrayed Dane Pickerstaff (11 episodes)
- Penny McNamee appeared as Charlie Cooper (8 episodes)
- Rohan Nichol played Detective Luke Palermo
Guests
- Amanda Muggleton featured as Geraldine Pye (2 episodes)
- Carole Skinner took on the role of Supervisor (3 episodes)
- Craig Horner appeared in 2 episodes
- Dustin Clare portrayed Gareth Williams (2 episodes)
- Grant Piro acted as Dr Baker (1 episode)
- Luke Ford appeared as Seth Baxter (5 episodes)
- Murray Bartlett played James Brogan (5 episodes)
- Penne Hackforth-Jones featured as Judge Hildegarde Rosedale (2 episodes)
- Roy Billing acted as Col (4 episodes)
- Russell Kiefel portrayed Lionel Travers (2 episodes)
- Sarah Chadwick appeared as Diane Forbes (5 episodes)
- Vanessa Downing took on the role of Pamela Martin (3 episodes)
Development and production
In 2002, Seven Network script executive Bevan Lee developed a spin-off from Home and Away intended to attract UK broadcaster Five as a co-producer. The original concept titled Away From Home centered around characters attending Yabbie Creek University but was rejected by Five. Subsequently, the project underwent revisions and was renamed Campus, then Ten Degrees South, before finally adopting the title headLand in early 2005. Filming commenced with an anticipated July premiere; however, unfavorable test screenings necessitated reshooting the pilot and caused production delays that postponed the broadcast to later that year.
Filming locations
The outdoor sequences were filmed in Austinmer, New South Wales, while a former psychiatric hospital located at the Sydney College of Arts in Rozelle and the University of Wollongong served as stand-ins for South Coast University. Indoor scenes were produced at White Bay Studios in Sydney, marking a departure from the usual ATN-7 studios in Epping for a Seven Network Sydney drama.
Australian broadcast
headLand debuted with promising viewer numbers but experienced a rapid decline. Originally airing at 7:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer into 2006, it was later shifted to a 7 pm Monday through Thursday schedule in an effort to increase ratings during the non-ratings period. Despite this adjustment, audience figures continued to drop, prompting the Seven Network to announce the series’ cancellation after 22 December 2005; however, this decision was briefly reconsidered. The program remained in its time slot until 12 January 2006 but was then removed to accommodate the return of Home and Away and coverage of the Australian Open tennis event. Remaining episodes were subsequently broadcast on Saturdays and later moved to the digital channel 7two for weekday mornings at 11 am. The series finale featured an engagement storyline but left multiple narratives unresolved.
Home media
In March 2020, the entire series became available for streaming on 7plus.
| Season | Format | Episodes # | Release date | Expiry date | Special features | Distributor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Streaming | 52 | 20 March 2020 | 20 March 2021 | None | 7plus |
| Season 2 | Streaming | 6 | 20 March 2020 | 20 March 2021 | None | 7plus |
Reception
A critic from the Herald Sun labeled headLand as "likely to be remembered as one of Australia's poorest soap operas."
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2000s Australian drama television series
- 2005 Australian television series debuts
- 2006 Australian television series endings
- Australian television soap operas
- Seven Network original programming
- Television shows set in Sydney
- Australian English-language television shows
- Australian television spinoffs
- Home and Away