Love My Way
| Company type | Television drama series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | 22 November 2004 |
| Founder | John Edwards, Claudia Karvan |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Drama television series |
| Parent | Southern Star Group |
Love My Way is a drama series from Australia, created by John Edwards and Claudia Karvan, which debuted on Fox8 on 22 November 2004. Its second season aired on W., while the third and final season was broadcast on Showtime, concluding on 19 March 2007. The cast features Claudia Karvan, Asher Keddie, Brendan Cowell, Daniel Wyllie, Lynette Curran, Alex Cook, Max Cullen, and Gillian Jones. The show was produced by Southern Star Group for Foxtel, with Kim Vecera and Mike Sneesby acting as executive producers.
The series garnered widespread critical praise and secured numerous prestigious Australian awards, including the AFI award for Best Television Drama Series across all three seasons. It also received recognition at the TV Week Logie Awards, Australian Writers' Guild Awards (AWGIE), and the ASTRA Awards.
Premise
Taking place in Sydney, Love My Way explores the lives of several individuals in their thirties as they face personal and relational challenges. The narrative focuses on an extended family: Frankie Paige and Charlie Jackson, who are separated, share custody of their daughter Lou, while Frankie resides with Charlie's brother Tom. At the series' outset, Charlie's new wife Julia is pregnant with their first child. Other significant characters include Frankie's mother Di, Charlie’s parents Brenda and Gerry, and Julia’s former partner Howard, who becomes involved with Frankie during the storyline.
Production
The production of Love My Way was led by John Edwards of the Southern Star Group alongside co-creator and lead actress Claudia Karvan, portraying Frankie Paige. Originally planned for broadcast on Network Ten, the project was dropped due to financial constraints. Subsequently, subscription broadcaster Foxtel commissioned a ten-episode inaugural season in 2003, following an 18-month pre-production phase before filming commenced on 21 June 2004.
Although sharing creative personnel such as Edwards, Perske, and writer Tony McNamara with The Secret Life of Us, this series was not a direct continuation. Edwards and Karvan contemplated developing a spin-off set in a hospital environment featuring Karvan's character Alex alongside Rex (portrayed by Vince Colosimo), but this concept did not come to fruition.
Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s director of television and marketing, emphasized that this was the network’s first drama produced exclusively for its subscribers. Inspired by premium cable dramas like Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City, his goal was to deliver bold and provocative storytelling.
Filming occurred at various Sydney sites including the offices of The Sunday Telegraph and Cromwell Park, with budget provisions allocated for council fees. Producing content for pay television enabled creative freedom to depict stronger language, drug use, and sexual themes beyond what is typically permitted on free-to-air channels.
In March 2005, a second season consisting of 12 episodes was greenlit by Foxtel, with co-investment from Austar. The show was renewed for a third season in May 2006, with filming commencing in December that year.
Claudia Karvan also held a co-producer role and contributed to scriptwriting. Additionally, actor Brendan Cowell, who portrayed Tom, authored episodes during the first two seasons.
The opening theme was originally performed by The Psychedelic Furs but was reinterpreted by Magic Dirt for use in the series’ title sequence.
Principal
- Claudia Karvan portraying Francesca 'Frankie' Paige
- Asher Keddie in the role of Julia Jackson
- Brendan Cowell as Tom Jackson
- Daniel Wyllie playing Charlie Jackson
- Lynette Curran as Brenda Jackson
- Alex Cook featuring as Louise 'Lou' Jackson Paige
- Gillian Jones cast as Di Paige
- Max Cullen in the role of Gerry Jackson
Recurring and Guest Appearances
- Abby Earl as Chloe
- Adelaide Clemens portraying Harper
- Alan David Lee as Father Chris
- Alex Dimitriades in the role of Julien
- Angela Punch McGregor as Angela Morris
- Ben Mendelsohn playing Lewis Feingold
- Claire van der Boom cast as Billie
- Damon Herriman portraying George Wagstaffe
- Ewen Leslie as Duc
- Josef Ber in the role of Bruce
- Justine Clarke as Simone
- Kym Gyngell playing Curtis Manning
- Leah Purcell cast as Caroline Syron
- Mariel McClorey in the role of Katie
- Matthew Le Nevez portraying Jai
- Paula Arundell as Gina
- Sacha Horler playing P.K.
- Sam Parsonson cast as Dylan Feingold
- Sam Worthington in the role of Howard Light
- Steven Vidler portraying Steven
- Susie Porter as Christine
Season 1 (2004–05)
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Season 2 (2006)
Season 3 (2007)
Critical response
Love My Way was met with steady praise from critics.
Ahead of its second season, The Sydney Morning Herald lauded the series as "better than ever," drawing attention to its genuine depiction of daily life and the compelling performances delivered by lead actors Brendan Cowell, Dan Wyllie, and Asher Keddie. The review also underscored Jacqueline Perske's sophisticated writing as a significant asset.
In anticipation of Season 3, TV Tonight highlighted the exceptional acting talents within the cast, particularly Ben Mendelsohn and Asher Keddie, commending their layered character interpretations that help sustain the show's ongoing acclaim.
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Recipient | Result | Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFI Awards/ AACTA Awards[lower-alpha 1] |
2005[lower-alpha 2] | Best Drama Series | John Edwards, Claudia Karvan |
Template:Won | [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Lead Actor in Television | Dan Wyllie | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Lead Actress in Television | Claudia Karvan | Template:Won | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Guest or Supporting Actor in Television | Max Cullen (S1:E8) | Template:Won | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Direction in Television | Jessica Hobbs (S1:E8) | Template:Won | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Screenplay in Television | Jacquelin Perske (S1:E9) | Template:Won | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding Achievement in Craft in Television | Louis Irving (cinematography) | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006[lower-alpha 3] | Best Drama Series | John Edwards, Claudia Karvan, Jacquelin Perske |
Template:Won | [2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Direction in Television | Shirley Barrett (S2:E11) | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Lead Actor in Television Drama | Dan Wyllie | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Lead Actress in Television Drama | Claudia Karvan | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Lead Actress in Television Drama | Asher Keddie | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Screenplay in Television | Jacqueline Perske (S2:E11) | Template:Nom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007[lower-alpha 4] | Best Television Drama Series | John Edwards, Claudia Karvan |
Template:Won | [3] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ben Mendelsohn | Template:Nom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Claudia Karvan | Template:Won | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Justine Clarke | Template:Nom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony McNamara (S3:E6) | Template:Nom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscription Television 20th Anniversary Award for Best Drama | Love My Way | Template:Won | [4] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASTRA Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australian Cinematographers Society Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australian Directors' Guild Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australian Screen Editors Guild Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AWGIE Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
- Tony McNamara(S3:E2) |
- 2008 |
- Television - Series |
- Brendan Cowell(S3:E6) |
- align=center | - style=border-top:2px solid gray; - ! rowspan=20 scope=row| |
- rowspan=5| - - Logie Awards for Season 1. |
- Most Outstanding Drama Series |
- Love My Way - - (John Edwards) |
- rowspan=5 align=center | |
- Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
- Brendan Cowell |
- Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
- Dan Wyllie |
- Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |
- Claudia Karvan |
- Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |
- Asher Keddie |
- rowspan=5 | - - Logie Awards for Season 2. |
- Most Outstanding Drama Series - Love My Way - (John Edwards) - - rowspan=5 align=center | - Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series - Brendan Cowell - - Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series - Dan Wyllie - - Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series - Claudia Karvan - - Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series - Asher Keddie - - rowspan=7 | - - Logie Awards for Season 3. |
- Most Outstanding Drama Series - Love My Way - (John Edwards) - - rowspan=7 align=center | - Most Popular Actor - Brendan Cowell - - Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series - Ben Mendelsohn - - Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series - Dan Wyllie - - Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series - Claudia Karvan - - Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series - Asher Keddie - - Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent - Sam Parsonson - - rowspan=3 | - - Logie Awards for Season 3 (additional). |
- Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |
- Claudia Karvan -| -| -rowspan=3 align=center | -| -Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series -| -Asher Keddie -| -| -Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent -| -Adelaide Clemens -| -| style=border-top:2px solid gray; |
- 2005 -| -Best Music for a Television Series or Serial -| -Stephen Rae -| -| align=center | -| style=border-top:2px solid gray; |
- 2005 -| -Drama Series Production of the Year -| -John Edwards -| -| |
Broadcast
The show initially debuted on FOX8 on 22 November 2004, airing during the late summer period outside of ratings measurement. For its second season, the series transitioned to W. Channel, and by the third season in 2007, it was broadcast on Showtime. Foxtel encountered backlash for frequently relocating the program between channels—initially to boost the W. Channel’s profile, then later to Showtime, which is not part of Australia's standard subscription package.
International airings
Love My Way was featured as a prime-time program in the United Kingdom on Five Life (currently Fiver), in Sweden on channel 4 (TV4), and in Ireland via RTÉ Two. The series also aired in Estonia on ETV, in New Zealand on TVNZ Channel 2, in Canada through Super Channel, in Mexico on Cosmopolitan, as well as in the Netherlands.
Home media
| Title | Release date (Region 4) |
Number of discs |
ACB rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love My Way – The First Series: Vols 1–5 | 2006 | 5 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: The Complete First Series | 2 February 2006 | 5 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: Series 2 | 16 November 2006 | 3 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: Series 3 | 17 October 2007 | 3 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: The Complete Three Series – Everything | 6 November 2008 | 11 | MA15+ |
| Re-release editions | |||
| Love My Way: The Complete First Series | 2 July 2009 | 5 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: Series 2 | 6 January 2011 | 3 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: Series 3 | 5 May 2011 | 3 | MA15+ |
| Love My Way: The Complete Series | 21 April 2021 | 11 | MA15+ |
External links
- Love My Way at Screen Australia
- Love My Way – "What's in a Name" at Australian Screen Online
- Photos and Information at Australian Television Information Archive
- Showtime
- Love My Way at the National Film and Sound Archive
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- ↑ https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/awards-history/2005/
- ↑ https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/awards-history/2006-2/
- ↑ https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/awards-history/2007/
- ↑ https://www.aacta.org/assets/PDFs/5th-AACTA-Awards/4th-AACTA-Awards/Media-Releases/media-release-aacta-award-winners-announced-on-channel-seven-7-9.12.15.pdf