Medivac (TV series)

Medivac
Company type	Television series
Industry	Television drama
Founded	1996
Defunct	1998
Headquarters	Brisbane, Australia
Products	Television drama series

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Medivac (TV series), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025

Medivac, an Australian drama series, was broadcast on Network Ten from 1996 through 1998, comprising a total of 48 episodes. The show's name is derived from medical evacuation, and it was internationally promoted under the title Adrenaline Junkies.

Synopsis

The narrative unfolds within the emergency department of the fictional Bethlehem West Hospital in Brisbane, focusing on a specialized medical crew dedicated to emergency evacuations. This team pilots helicopters to access disaster sites and remote areas unreachable by ambulance, while also handling urgent cases in the city involving patients, their families, and law enforcement officials.

Main / regular

Nicholas Eadie portraying Dr. Red Buchanan
Geneviève Picot as Dr. Julia McAlpine
Graeme Blundell in the role of Dr. Harry Edwards
Grant Bowler playing Dr. Arch Craven
Rena Owen as Macy Fields, RN
Caroline Kennison portraying Gosia Maléski, RN
Eugene Gilfedder as Dr. Wayne Doubé
Danielle Carter in the role of Bree Dalrymple, RN
Mark Constable as Dr. 'Oopy' Hiltonwood
Lisa Forrest portraying Dr. Marina Zamoyski
Stephen Lovatt as Dr. Tom Shawcross
Dieter Brummer playing Dr. Sean Michaels
Simone Kessell as Dr. Stella O'Shaughnessy
Melissa Tkautz in the role of Evie Morrison RN
Paul Mercurio as Roy Fields
Andrew McKaige portraying Dave Callen
John Gregg as Peter Michaels

Guests

Aaron Blabey appearing as Danny Haywood (2 episodes)
Damien Garvey as Slugger (1 episode)
Diane Craig portraying Mrs Flynn (1 episode)
Garry McDonald in the role of Ernie Sharp (4 episodes)
Grant Dodwell as Paul (1 episode)
Jeremy Sims playing Mark Best (4 episodes)
John Orcsik as Dr Cliff Houghton (1 episode)
Jonathan Hardy appearing as Rosenthal (1 episode)
Josh Lawson in the role of Rob (1 episode)
Judi Farr portraying Arch's mother (1 episode)
Kris McQuade as Carmel (1 episode)
Lenka Kripac playing Nikki Kershaw (3 episodes)
Matt Doran as James 'Armalite' Dwyer (1 episode)
Nique Needles appearing as Leo VestI / Johnny Ryan (2 episodes)
Ray Barrett in the role of Frank Wheeler (1 episode)
Robert Coleby portraying Bruce (1 episode)
Russell Dykstra as Fitzpatrick (1 episode)
Sarah Lambert playing Francine Lord (1 episode)
Sean Scully as Jack Duval (3 episodes)
Stephen Curry appearing as Damian 'Rhino' Ryan (1 episode)
Steve Jacobs in the role of Parker (1 episode)
Tiriel Mora portraying Dr Dexter Haben (3 episodes)
Wayne Pygram as John (1 episode)

Season 1

No.	Episode	Overview
1	"Sharing the Blame" (pt.1)	Wayne and Bree undertake a helicopter rescue at the Glass House Mountains, retrieving an injured hiker. Dr Harry Edwards experiences burnout and desires that Deputy Director Dr Julia McAlpine assume leadership. After being overlooked in favor of Dr Red Buchanan, Julia decides to resign.
2	"Sharing the Blame" (pt.2)	A derailment involving a ghost train results in multiple casualties. Julia makes a critical decision with devastating consequences. Oopy's forceful cancer treatment causes tension with Gosia. Arch threatens to reveal Red’s hidden past, but Red persuades Julia to remain on staff. Harry vows retaliation.
3		A 58-year-old surrogate mother carrying her grandchild encounters serious complications. Arch conducts a medivac from Stradbroke Island but faces unforeseen disaster. Harry is appointed CEO. Oopy commits a misdiagnosis and places blame on Macy.
4		An infectious outbreak claims two lives, leading to ward quarantine. Marina and Julia medivac a farmer trapped beneath a tractor. Macy confronts formal disciplinary charges.
5		Macy receives a two-week suspension from the disciplinary board. A patient with terminal cancer requests euthanasia, igniting an ethical debate.
6		Arch pursues fellowship with the College of Emergency Medicine amid obstacles. Macy returns following suspension. A six-year-old leads staff to her collapsed grandmother who later dies in hospital care.
7		Red, Julia, and Tank respond via medivac to an island facing a cholera outbreak concealed by military authorities for national security reasons. Wayne assumes control at the ward and abuses his power by accessing confidential personnel records.
8		Julia attempts to detain a patient planning murder-suicide. Arch, Bree, and Wayne rescue a skydiver who has suffered injuries including an amputated arm. A stabbing victim refuses blood transfusion due to religious convictions.
9		Harry collapses but declines treatment until a severe heart attack nearly claims his life. Wayne and Gosia attend to a shooting incident; meanwhile, Arch and Bree go on a date.
10		Red and Bree treat a child with acute asthma symptoms. Due to budget constraints and overcrowding, Harry orders the Emergency Department's closure. Red lifts the bypass restriction despite potential fatal risks.
11		While treating a drug addict who refuses blood tests, Julia is accidentally pricked by a needle. Wayne forcibly obtains a sample that tests positive for syphilis; he is subsequently arrested. Arch and Macy's helicopter is forced into an emergency landing.
12		Arch mistakes tuberculosis for pneumonia in diagnosis. Wayne’s assault charge is dropped; Gosia requests assistance from him. Julia admits contracting syphilis from the needle incident and shares a kiss with Red.
13		Red learns his wife is pregnant but discovers he is not the father. During a cyclone medivac mission, Arch and Julia become stranded on an island with a critically ill patient. Red advocates for Wayne’s removal from Emergency but later reconciles with his wife and accepts impending fatherhood.
14		Red’s wife undergoes an emergency caesarean section; Red struggles with accepting the child. Julia serves as Acting Director; Oopy fails intern assessments under Julia’s supervision. Arch faces a choice between pursuing his band or continuing his medical career.
15		Marina suffers fatal injuries in a car accident while transporting a patient home. Bree ends her relationship with Arch. Red’s day concludes tragically when a boy drowns after falling into the river. A medivac team rescues a stranded hiker in the Glass House Mountains.

Season 2

No.	Episode	Synopsis
16		At his wedding, the longest-living recipient of a baboon liver collapses, prompting legal and media attention. It is discovered he carries a lethal, contagious herpes virus originating from monkeys.
17		Arch and Bree attend to a gunman responsible for multiple shootings. Julia identifies him as Danny, who she previously attempted to have institutionalized. A grieving father mistakenly shoots Peter while searching for the assailant.
18		Arch takes on the role of Deputy Director. During a medivac, Wayne and Macy find workers electrocuting themselves, believing it cures Ross River Fever. Gosia's ex-husband arrives looking for her.
19		Bree and Gosia discover Oopy working secretly at a cosmetic surgery clinic after a medivac patient experiences complications. Arch reduces funding for an AIDS clinic, triggering protests.
20		Harry’s army friend Bruce seeks closure over a Vietnam War event. A boy from Papua New Guinea requires mercy surgery. Julia and Macy airlift a shark attack victim. Harry realizes Bruce is struggling with suicidal thoughts.
21		Wayne and Bree rescue a pregnant teacher who claims she was assaulted by aliens. After a second alleged abduction, they find she is no longer expecting.
22		Dexter Habin performs critical surgery on an infant suffering cardiac distress. Amid a viral threat to Julia's friend and her horses, Arch tests for Lyssavirus; Wayne is bitten by one of the horses.
23		A fire destroys Harry's property; Arch and Bree find a pregnant woman inside whose premature infant dies. Harry establishes a fund to support her. The department admits celebrity look-alikes as patients.
24		Emergency room medical practices come under scrutiny; Arch faces manslaughter investigation. Macy resigns. A Vatican envoy investigates a possible cancer cure witnessed by Wayne.
25		The team responds to a bus crash involving blind children. Despite ongoing legal issues, Arch assists but is remanded in custody after bail is revoked. Wayne and Gosia clash over a girl exploited as a drug courier.
26		An Aboriginal artist spears a gallery owner exploiting him; following the artist’s arrest and heart attack, Oopy testifies against Arch. Bree uncovers Oopy’s cover-up of mistakes implicating Arch; the case is dismissed.
27	"Romeo and Juliet"	After robbing Wayne’s bank, a young couple crashes; the man is fatally shot by his girlfriend, who is then shot by Peter. A paraplegic overdoses and falls into coma. Macy returns to work; Bree rescues Harry from jellyfish stings.
28	"Into the Abyss"	Wayne, Tom, and Macy are taken hostage during a riot at a women's prison. A teenage girl lapses into catatonia amid fears of demonic possession. Julia attempts to persuade Oopy to resign.
29	"Gates to the Kingdom"	Duval tries an exorcism on Nikki but collapses due to a stomach ulcer; Marina completes the ritual. Tom treats a woman suffering from orgasm-induced sneezing.
30	"The Promise"	The ER is quarantined after Nikki’s blood reveals unusual antibodies; Nikki passes away. During a medivac mission, an explosion injures Dave’s eyes; Marina pilots the helicopter to safety.
31	"The Sleep of Reason"	Bree and Harry grow closer; Dave confesses his feelings for Marina. A man suspected in an accident is attacked by the victim’s girlfriend. Tom steals morphine to manage his cancer pain.
32	"All The Saints And Angels"	Marina dines with Dave and risks her life rescuing a man trapped in a mine collapse. A jockey dies following a fall; his mother opposes organ donation.
33	"Second Chance"	Marina spends the night with Dave. Arch proposes marriage to Madeleine, who declines after becoming pregnant. ER staff suffer food poisoning; Tom forges a benefactor’s signature to secure funding for new equipment.
34	"Silence"	Gosia welcomes intern Sean Michaels; Oopy quits to pursue cosmetic surgery opportunities in Hollywood. Harry and Bree become engaged. Wayne and Peter investigate an abandoned building; twins experiencing heart attacks donate organs to the hospital.
35	"Last Sacrament"	Macy develops an incurable brain aneurysm and dies. Harry and Bree postpone their wedding in her memory. Wayne plans his departure from the Department.

Season 3

No.	Episode	Summary
36	"Duty of Care"	During a soccer game, Rhino collapses due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Julia passes over Gosia for the Nurse Manager position. A patient experiences a critical reaction caused by conflicting medications.
37	"Sharing the Blame"	A yacht accident victim’s baggage is found to contain cocaine connected to a smuggler skipper. After a patient nearly dies, Eric takes responsibility and resigns as Nurse Manager; Julia recommends Gosia for the role.
38	"Protection"	Stella’s brother arrives with a gunshot injury; tension arises over contraception for a 14-year-old. The friendship between Julia and Tom strengthens.
39	"Pity"	Tom and Arch respond to a violent domestic incident; a woman amputates her finger to remove her wedding ring. A man suffering from Korsakov's Syndrome is admitted. Dave invites Marina to live with him.
40	"Calling the Shots"	Evie and Stella disagree on treating a suspected drug user who later dies. Marina leaves the convent and contemplates moving in with Dave. Gosia organizes detox treatment for Ernie.
41	"Denial"	Tom supports palliative care for a cancer patient, while Arch encourages acceptance of death. Dave proposes marriage to Marina, who refuses. Arch uncovers Tom and Julia’s relationship.
42	"Feet of Clay"	Stella’s brother is fatally assaulted. Ernie’s history as a doctor who lost his wife leads to his alcoholism. Sean rescues Evie following an ambulance crash.
43	"Code Purple"	A boy pretends to be ill to avoid church confession; a man swallows a fish hook on a dare. Tom collapses after morphine intake. Sean faces his arachnophobia while treating a girl with her pet spider.
44	"Wants and Needs"	Sean, Evie, and Gosia treat a boy with a fractured leg, discover homeless children living in sewers, and encounter a man suffering from sweating sickness. Marina suspects she is being stalked. Tom’s cancer progresses; Arch searches for his replacement.
45	"Boy Scout"	The pilot for Sean and Evie is murdered at an isolated farmhouse; their helicopter is stolen. Arch advocates for Tom’s inclusion on the impaired practitioners register as he returns to work.
46	"True Colours"	Marina’s stalker secures employment at the hospital and attacks her; Arch steps in to help. Tom collapses at work; Dr Michaels advises retirement. Stella informs Tom about an experimental cancer trial.
47	"When People Love You"	A gambling addict attempts suicide and is diagnosed with terminal kidney failure. Marina resigns amid doubts about her relationship with Arch. Tom’s cancer treatment fails; Julia and Tom marry.
48	"God's Greatest Gift"	Tom experiences cardiac arrest but is revived in the emergency room. Marina returns to the convent but reconsiders her relationship with Arch. Sean and Evie reunite; Evie receives a scholarship.

Filming locations

The hospital scenes were filmed at the former Australian Taxation Office building located at 320 Adelaide Street, on the corner of Wharf Street in Brisbane's central business district.

The old terminal of Brisbane Domestic Airport, which was used for car auctions, served as the backdrop for a western Queensland setting, with dirt spread over the tarmac during filming.

External links

List of Australian television series