The Rovers (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | August 21, 1969 |
| Defunct | June 12, 1970 |
| Fate | Ended |
Area served | Australia, international |
Key people | Roger Mirams (creator), Bill Harmon (executive producer), Don Cash (producer) |
| Products | Television series |
The Rovers was an Australian family adventure series set on the ocean, broadcast from 21 August 1969 until 12 June 1970 on the 0-Ten network, which later became Network Ten.
Synopsis
Created by Roger Mirams and produced by NLT Productions, with Bill Harmon serving as executive producer and Don Cash—who would go on to develop Number 96—as producer, the show featured performances by Rowena Wallace, Edward Hepple, Noel Trevarthen, and young actor Grant Seiden.
The storyline centers around the crew aboard the "Pacific Lady," a schooner navigating island waters, captained by Sam McGill (portrayed by Hepple). The team includes Bob Wild, a freelance photographer (Trevarthen), and Rusty Collins, a journalist specializing in wildlife (Wallace).
A total of 39 episodes, each approximately thirty minutes and filmed in color, were produced with international audiences in mind, following the successful global reach of Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. Among the writers contributing to the series were Kenneth Cook, Michael Latimer, Ron McLean, Michael Wright, Ralph Peterson, and Rosamund Waring.
Prominent guest star Ron Randell, who was active in Australian theatre at the time, appeared in multiple episodes.
Main
- Rowena Wallace as Rusty Collins
- Edward Hepple as Captain Sam McGill
- Noel Trevarthen as Bob Wild
- Grant Seiden
Guests
- Ben Gabriel as Horace Soames
- Benita Collings as Margaret Walsh
- Brian Moll as Dr Wright
- Dawn Lake as Dawn Tobin / Mrs. Drury
- Jack Thompson as Kenneth Baker / Bill
- Jeanie Drynan as Ann Fraser
- John Meillon as Bruce Hunter
- Kat Loader as Constanow / Tony / Fisherman
- Kerry McGuire as Dorrie
- Les Foxcroft as Neighbour / Smayell
- Lex Marinos as Roberto Servijano
- Lionel Long as Police Sergeant
- Mark McManus as Jack Webster
- Peter Whitford as Rogers
- Reg Gorman as Policeman
- Ron Randell
- Slim De Grey as Terry Claffey
- Stewart Ginn as Ocker / Harris
- Tony Hughes
- Vincent Gil as Biker / Bert
Production
The series’ creative direction was shaped in part by episodes penned by writers Ron McLean and Michael Wright.
References
- Classic Australian Television - The Rovers accessed 26 April 2009
- Memorable TV The TV Shows (1970's) The Rovers accessed 26 April 2009