Wanted (2013 TV program)

Wanted

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	July 8, 2013 (2013-07-08)
Headquarters	Sydney , Australia
Area served	Nationwide (Australia)
Key people	Sandra Sully, Matt Doran, Dr Xanthe Mallett, Neil Mercer, Terry Dalton
Products	Crime investigation television program

Wanted is an Australian crime television series that debuted on Network Ten on 8 July 2013 at 8:30 PM. The program was produced and hosted from Network Ten's Sydney studios located in Pyrmont, with broadcasts reaching audiences nationwide. Due to the variation in Australian time zones, the show was transmitted live on the East Coast, while other regions experienced delays ranging from 30 minutes up to two hours.

Format

Wanted serves as a crime investigation series that assists federal and state law enforcement agencies in resolving cold cases, murders, missing person investigations, as well as property offenses including burglaries and acts of vandalism. The program actively utilizes social media platforms to engage its audience, urging viewers to submit anonymous tips which may contribute to arrests or breakthroughs in ongoing investigations.

Presenters

The series is anchored by news presenters Sandra Sully and Matt Doran, who are supported by a panel of crime experts comprising:

• Dr Xanthe Mallett
• Neil Mercer
• Terry Dalton

Dr Xanthé Mallett

Forensic anthropologist and criminologist Xanthé Mallett contributes her expertise by examining cold cases and discovering new leads. In 2010, she fronted the UK television series History Cold Case for BBC2/National Geographic, collaborating with the Centre for Anatomy & Human Identification at the University of Dundee. This series involved detailed analysis of historical skeletal remains, offering novel perspectives on ancient populations. A follow-up season was broadcast in June 2011.

In 2011, Mallett also hosted a BBC segment titled National Treasures, focused on Jack the Ripper, which took the form of a live magazine-style program highlighting scientific methodologies within mainstream entertainment.

Neil Mercer

Investigative crime journalist Neil Mercer conducts on-the-ground interviews with relatives of victims featured in the main stories. In his absence, either Doran or Sully assumes presenting duties. Mercer brings more than four decades of experience in journalism, having reported on crime since 1981, including coverage of the notable shooting incident involving criminal Warren Lanfranchi and NSW Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson.

Terry Dalton

Ex-Detective Superintendent Terry Dalton offers over thirty years of service with NSW Police. He primarily covers minor theft cases on the show, often infusing his segments with humor. Dalton once commented on a series of burglaries at Sydney University, observing that the offenders were "studying how to become a criminal... And they're failing at it," referencing their exposure to security cameras.

Dalton’s accolades include the National Medal with 1st Clasp, NSW Police Medal with 3rd Clasp, the Centenary Medal awarded in 2001, and the Australian Police Medal recognizing distinguished service in 2010. Additionally, he holds the rank of Major within the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police (Reserves), attached to ADFIS. His military decorations encompass the Reserve Forces Medal, Defence Medal, and National Service Medal. Dalton has been affiliated with the Army Reserve since 1978.

Additional reporters

Only a limited number of journalists have contributed to Wanted, with Nick Way, who reports on Western Australian matters, appearing in more than half of the ten installments.

Season 1

The inaugural season launched at 8:30 PM on 8 July 2013, featuring a specially designed set within the Ten News studios in Sydney. The show played a role in aiding both State and Federal law enforcement agencies to apprehend 16 fugitives, including a teenager listed on Australia's Most Wanted. Although it had a tangible impact on policing efforts, the audience numbers were relatively low, starting with 649,000 viewers and dropping to 618,000 by 22 July. By the end of July 2013, Wanted faced challenges in attracting a substantial audience amid Australia's competitive television landscape.

Season 2

During the concluding episode of Season 1 on 26 September 2013, hosts Doran and Sully revealed plans for the series to return in 2014; nevertheless, this continuation did not materialize.

Critical response

In 2013, Gordon Farrer from The Sydney Morning Herald observed that crime programs such as Wanted help maintain public alertness despite reductions in crime rates. He commended Sandra Sully's commanding hosting style, which successfully imparts a strong sense of immediacy and danger.

External links

• @WantedTVHQ on Twitter