Possession (TV series)
| Company type | Television soap opera |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Reg Watson |
| Products | Television series |
| Parent | Reg Grundy Organisation |
Possession is an Australian television soap opera that was produced in 1985 by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Nine Network. The series was created by television producer Reg Watson, with the pilot episode penned by Bevan Lee and executive production overseen by Don Battye.
The storyline began with a spy-related event that unveiled the intricate personal dramas and hidden secrets involving affluent and powerful women, their romantic partners, and children from complicated relationships.
Although it featured a notable production team, Possession failed to achieve commercial success, concluding after 52 episodes when production ceased in May 1985. Sue Ward, Nine Network’s publicity director, explained that while the entire series was broadcast, low viewer ratings prevented renewal for a second season. Consequently, later installments were rescheduled to a late-night broadcast slot.
To facilitate this scheduling change, Nine sought approval from the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal to extend local drama quota hours beyond 10:00 pm. This allowed Possession to be aired outside of prime time while still meeting Australian content regulations. Upon receiving authorization, the network moved the show to a time period with fewer viewers.
Original cast members
- Bruce Barry portrayed David Macarthur, a wealthy businessman who is assassinated by ASIS operatives in the opening episode
- Lou Brown played Alan Morton
- Tracey Callander appeared as Kathleen Dawson, engaged to Greg
- Anne Charleston took on the role of Elizabeth Macarthur, David’s spouse
- Lyn Collingwood acted as Iris Dawson
- Maggie Millar played Claudia Valenti, business partner to Louise
- Lloyd Morris was cast as Greg Macarthur, son of David
- Eric Oldfield portrayed Gerry Foster
- Tamasin Ramsay appeared as Jane Andrews, David and Louise’s illegitimate daughter
- David Reyne played Detective Vince Bailey, investigating David’s homicide
- Darien Takle acted as Louise Carpenter, David’s former lover
- Norman Yemm portrayed John Andrews, Jane’s adoptive father
Later additions
- Briony Behets as Eve Cambridge
- Max Cullen as Harry Keane, an intelligence officer
- Maggie Dence played Lady Shannon
- Ally Fowler appeared as Nicola Shannon
- Bryan Marshall portrayed Oliver Hearst
Reception
In 2020, Fiona Byrne of the Herald Sun listed Possession among "long forgotten Australian TV dramas that made viewers switch off." She described it as follows: "In 1985 Channel 9 introduced Possession, a soap opera centered on wealthy, scheming women, their younger lovers, secret children, infidelity, cosmetic surgery, inheritance disputes, a secret agent, and an assassination plot. Marketed as a premium soap with its cast viewing it as top-tier drama, audiences found it perplexing and lost interest. Despite heavy promotion, it struggled through its sole season."