Rake (Australian TV series)

Rake

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2010
Founder	Essential Media and Entertainment
Headquarters	Sydney , Australia
Products	Television drama series

Rake is an Australian drama series created by Essential Media and Entertainment that premiered on ABC TV in 2010. The show features Richard Roxburgh portraying Cleaver Greene, a gifted yet self-destructive barrister based in Sydney, who frequently represents clients with questionable guilt. The production of the fifth and concluding season commenced in October 2017, with its debut airing on 19 August 2018.

Principal cast

• Richard Roxburgh plays Cleaver Greene, a highly talented but self-sabotaging criminal defence barrister. His character draws inspiration from Sydney legal figures Mervyn Ward and Charles Waterstreet, and his name is derived from Cleaver Bunton. By the conclusion of the fourth season, he is elected as an independent senator and subsequently appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.
• Russell Dykstra portrays Barney "Barnyard" Meagher, Cleaver’s instructing solicitor and closest confidant. Following personal betrayals, his relationships with both Cleaver and his wife Scarlet become strained. In the second season, he embarks on an affair with Cleaver’s secretary Nicole; by season three, they share a child and Barney is undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Danielle Cormack appears as Scarlet "Red" Engles SC, a barrister specializing in criminal prosecutions and Barney’s spouse. She briefly serves part-time for Attorney General Cal McGregor before returning to criminal defence work in the third season, during which she has a short-lived affair with barrister David Potter and achieves promotion to Senior Counsel.
• Matt Day plays David "Harry-Sorry, David" Potter, a tax lawyer who prosecutes Cleaver while nurturing political aspirations supported by Attorney General Joe Sandilands. Initially serving as Shadow Attorney General and NSW Labor MP, he rises to NSW Labor Leader in the third season and contests as an Australian Greens Senator in the fourth, all while secretly involved with Scarlet.
• Adrienne Pickering portrays Melissa "Missy" Partridge, a former sex worker turned law student caught between Potter and Cleaver. By the series finale, she reveals her past identity and travels across Europe; later, she authors a memoir adapted into a film. Returning in season four struggling with drug addiction, she undergoes rehabilitation and becomes pregnant with Finnegan Greene’s child.
• Caroline Brazier plays Wendy Greene, Cleaver’s ex-wife and a hospital psychologist. At the end of season two, she begins dating osteopath Roger; they become engaged by season three.
• Keegan Joyce portrays Finnegan "Fuzz" Greene, the teenage son of Cleaver and Wendy who navigates complex relationships; in season two he dates evangelical Tara and plans humanitarian work in the Congo during season three.
• Kate Box acts as Nicole Vargas, Cleaver’s secretary who has a one-night encounter with Barney prior to their marriage. In season three, she and Barney have a child outside of wedlock.
• Damien Garvey plays Cal McGregor, NSW Attorney General succeeding Joe Sandilands. Corrupt and convicted for abuse of power, he harbors animosity toward Cleaver due to an affair involving his ex-wife Claudia McGregor (Toni Collette). After release on parole in season three, he reinvents himself as a flamboyant television journalist.
• Geoff Morrell appears as Joe Sandilands, the Labor NSW Attorney General who dies by suicide amid scandal connected to Missy’s brothel; he is succeeded by Cal McGregor.
• Robyn Malcolm portrays Kirsty Corella, wife of incarcerated crime boss Mick Corella whom Cleaver defended. During Mick’s imprisonment, she assumes control of their criminal operations, briefly dates Cleaver, then develops a relationship with her enforcer Col.
• Steve Le Marquand plays Col Mancusi, an enforcer loyal to Mick and Kirsty Corella. Motivated by love for Kirsty, he eventually forms a partnership with her facilitated by Cleaver.
• Rhys Muldoon acts as Lincoln Lincoln, an inept solicitor who occasionally provides instruction to both Cleaver and Scarlet.

Guest appearances

Episode	Performer, Character
1.1	Hugo Weaving portraying Professor Graham Murray Sacha Horler as Murray's spouse
1.2	Lisa McCune in the role of Lucy Marx Ryan Johnson as Marty
1.3	Lech Mackiewicz playing George Dana Roy Billing as Judge Jordan
1.4	David Field cast as Denny Lorton Noah Taylor as Stanley Shrimpton
1.5	Heather Mitchell portraying Jan Chandler Sam Neill in the role of Dr Bruce Chandler
1.6	Rachel Griffiths as Eddie Langhorn Jonathan Biggins playing Martin Barry Crocker as Errol Greene, father of Cleaver
1.7	Victoria Thaine cast as Fiona McReady
1.8	Damon Herriman in the role of Detective Maraco Richard Carter as Mick Corella Robyn Malcolm playing Kirsty Corella Paul Gleeson as Nigel Steve Le Marquand portraying Col
2.1	Toni Collette appearing as Premier Claudia Marshall
2.2	Don Hany cast as Damien Tengrove Garry McDonald in the role of Lawrence Fenton Jacinta John portraying Agatha Jack Thompson as Justice Beesdon
2.3	Marshall Napier playing the Prosecution
2.4	Angie Milliken as Therese Faulkner Martin Henderson in the role of Joshua Floyd Rhys Muldoon portraying Lincoln Lincoln Ben Oxenbould as Alistair Emery
2.5	Mary Coustas cast as Judge Ben Chris Haywood playing the Prosecution
2.6	Jacqueline McKenzie in the role of Alannah Alford Martin Sacks portraying Roger Evans Stephen Curry as Alex Alford
2.7	Bille Brown appearing as Dominic Sonia Todd cast as Jane
2.8	Maeve Dermody playing Polly Nesbitt
3.1	Dan Wyllie in the role of Malcolm Finnane Bruce Spence portraying George Corella Emil Wolk as Justice Kieran Webster
3.2	John Noble cast as Clayton Post Genevieve Lemon playing Tikki Wendon Simon Westaway as Gordon Martin Marta Kaczmarek portraying Maria Vargas Gary Waddell in the role of Harley
3.3	Jane Allsop as Felicity Finnane Aden Young (film) portraying Joshua Elizabeth Debicki (film) in the role of Missy Cate Blanchett (film) playing Cleaver Magda Szubanski cast as Helen Jerome Ehlers portraying Maitre d'
3.4	Lex Marinos appearing as Spiro Ben Lawson in the role of Craig John Flaus playing Vernon
3.5	Paul Sonkkila cast as Father Bobby
3.7	Sibylla Budd portraying Ms. Guilfoyle QC
3.8	Josh Quong Tart in the role of Detective Sando
4.1	John Waters playing Edgar Thompson Rachael Blake cast as Ruth Rogers Sara Wiseman portraying Caitlin
4.2	Justine Clarke appearing as Alli Franklin Ryan Johnson reprising Raymond
4.3	Miriam Margolyes in the role of Huntley-Brown QC Ryan Johnson returning as Raymond
4.5	Kym Gyngell cast as Reggie Ewen Leslie playing Bevan Leigh Harriet Dyer and Alex Cubis featured in Mannix roles Huw Higginson, Malcolm Hammill; Nick Tate, Julian Tallow
4.6	Tasma Walton and Michael Denkha
4.7	Barry Otto, Judge Cowper; Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Mandel
5.1	Jacek Koman, Jakub; Helen Thomson, PM Angela Way; ensemble including Tony Briggs, Greg Peters; William McInnes, Gareth Morrow; with leads such as Jane Turner, Penny Evans and Anthony LaPaglia, Linus; also featuring PM Ryland Webster played by Wayne Pigram
5.4	Tasneem Roc in the role of Li-Ming Wu

Series overview

Season 1 (2010)

Template:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode list {{Episode list

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer	Original air date
EpisodeNumber=4	EpisodeNumber2=4	Title=R v Lorton	DirectedBy=Rachel Ward	WrittenBy=Andrew Knight	OriginalAirDate=November 2010 (2010-11)

Season 2 (2012)

Template:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode list {{Episode list

• EpisodeNumber=*14*
• EpisodeNumber2=*6*
• Title=*R v Alford*
• DirectedBy=*Jeffrey Walker*
• WrittenBy=*Andrew Knight*
• OriginalAirDate=*Template:Start date\*

• Approximated as October 11, 2012.*

• ShortSummary=* Cleaver teams up with Barney to defend an IT lecturer accused of assaulting his neighbor amid local club disputes in the suburbs. Barney and Nicole grapple with ending their affair while planning their wedding. Political intrigue deepens as Scarlet and David become entangled in Cal McGregor’s schemes, compelling Scarlet to seek counsel from a ruthless attorney.
• LineColor=* 5EDC33

}} {{Episode list

• EpisodeNumber=*15*
• EpisodeNumber2=*7*
• Title=*Greene v Hole*
• DirectedBy=*Kate Dennis*
• WrittenBy=*Andrew Knight*
• OriginalAirDate=*Template:Start date\*

• Approximated as October 18, 2012.*

• ShortSummary=* The affair between Scarlett and David becomes public news; Scarlet faces societal backlash. Barney and Nicole redefine their relationship while Greene hires a hitman to target Lane Hole over a share dispute, leading to unintended consequences.
• LineColor=* 5EDC33

}} {{Episode list * EpisodeNumber=*16* * EpisodeNumber2=*8* * Title=*R v Greene* * DirectedBy=*Kate Dennis* * WrittenBy=*Peter Duncan* * OriginalAirDate=*Template:Start date\* *Approximated as October 25, 2012.* *ShortSummary=* Cleaver is jailed for manslaughter but released on bail by Missy, now wealthy from selling Hollywood rights. He changes charges to conspiracy to murder Lane Hole and exposes abuses by the Attorney General that result in multiple imprisonments. Despite setbacks, Greene accepts his fate philosophically as rival officials seek revenge. *LineColor=* 5EDC33 }}

Season 3 (2014)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer	Original air date

Template:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode listTemplate:Episode list {{Episode list

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer	Original air date
EpisodeNumber = 24	EpisodeNumber2 = 8	Title = Episode 8	DirectedBy = Kate Dennis	WrittenBy = Peter Duncan	OriginalAirDate = 30 March 2014 (2014-03-30)	ShortSummary = Cleaver’s legal career flourishes as Barney recovers; he develops feelings for Felicity, yet emerging obstacles threaten their progress.

Season 4 (2016)

Series episode	Season episode	Episode Title	Director	Screenwriter	Air Date Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 32	EpisodeNumber2 = 8	Title = Episode 8	DirectedBy = Peter Duncan	WrittenBy = Peter Duncan	OriginalAirDate = 7 July 2016 (2016-07-07)	ShortSummary = Contemplating a new career path, Cleaver encounters obstacles from David and Jack’s machinations. Fuzz brings unexpected developments.

Season 5 (2018)

Series Episode	Season Episode	Episode Title	Director	Screenwriter	Original Broadcast Date Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list	EpisodeNumber = 40	EpisodeNumber2 = 8	Title = Greene v The Reckoning	DirectedBy = Matthew Saville	WrittenBy = Peter Duncan	OriginalAirDate = 7 October 2018 (2018-10-07)	ShortSummary = Morrow is removed from office; Cal McGregor takes over as Prime Minister following an international crisis and subsequent cover-up. Amidst this turmoil, Greene is appointed Chief Justice of Australia’s High Court.

Production

The series was developed by Peter Duncan, Richard Roxburgh, and Charles Waterstreet, with scripting contributions from Duncan and Andrew Knight. The role of cinematographer was fulfilled by Martin McGrath, while the executive production was overseen by Miranda Dear.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Outcome
2011	Equity Awards	Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series	Cast	Template:Won
	AWGIE Awards	Television – Series	Series 1, episode 5 'R v. Chandler' – Peter Duncan	Template:Won
	ASSG Awards	Excellence in Sound for a Tele-Feature or Short Run Series	Series 1 – Chris Alderton et al.	Template:Nom
2012	1st AACTA Awards	Best Television Drama Series	Rake	Template:Nom
2013	2nd AACTA Awards	Best Television Drama Series	Season 2 – Ian Collie, Peter Duncan and Richard Roxburgh	Template:Nom
		Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama	Richard Roxburgh	Template:Won
	Australian Screen Music Awards	Best Music for a Television Series or Serial	Season 2, episode 8 'Greene' – Michael Lira, David McCormack and Antony Partos	Template:Nom
	AWGIE Awards	Television – Series	Series 2: "R v. Floyd" – Andrew Knight	Template:Won
2014	AWGIE Awards	Television – Series	Series 3 "Their Lordships v. Finnane" – Peter Duncan	Template:Won
	Australian Directors Guild Awards	Excellence in Direction in a TV Drama Series	Series 2, episode 2 – Peter Duncan	Template:Nom
	Australian Screen Music Awards	Best Music for a Television Series or Serial	Series 3, episode 1 – David McCormack, Antony Partos and Michael Lira	Template:Nom
} American adaptation Fox Network in the United States developed a remake of Rake, featuring Greg Kinnear in the role of Keegan Deane. The series was broadcast from January through April 2014. Richard Roxburgh took on a producing role alongside Kinnear for this version. Soundtrack The original score was created and performed by David McCormack (from Custard), Antony Partos, and Michael Lira at Sonar Music, located in Sydney. ABC Music issued the soundtrack album titled Rake: Music from the TV Series in July 2016. External links Rake official page, ABC TV Rake at Australian Television Information Archive