"Blue Heelers" (1994) TV series 1994-2006

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Creators:

Hal McElroy
Tony Morphett

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | unknown

Release Date:

7 September 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

For cops in Mt Thomas, life's about more than the badge.

Plot:

Australian series featuring the Mt. Thomas police station and the lives of its officers.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Sergeant | Color In Title | Woman In Uniform | Uniform

Awards:

23 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Julie Nihill	...	Christine 'Chris' Reilly / ... (272 episodes, 1994-2006)
John Wood	...	Sr. Sgt. Tom Croydon / ... (272 episodes, 1994-2006)
Martin Sacks	...	Sr. Det. Patrick Joseph 'P.J.' Hasham / ... (247 episodes, 1994-2005)
Axl Taylor	...	Len The Barman / ... (211 episodes, 1994-1998)
Lisa McCune	...	Sr. Const. Margaret 'Maggie' Doyle / ... (140 episodes, 1994-2004)
William McInnes	...	Sgt. Nicholas 'Nick' Schultz / ... (140 episodes, 1994-2005)
Ditch Davey	...	Const. Evan 'Jonesy' Jones / ... (133 episodes, 2001-2006)

Also Known As:

Boys in Blue (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Southern Star

Trivia:

The same blue heeler dog was used as Tom Croydon's dog Digger throughout the entire series. In reality its name was Bluey, and lasted in the show from 1994-2005.

Quotes:

Constable Evan 'Jonesy' Jones: Don't call me pal, mate.
Calvin: Don't call me mate, pal.

One of the best series in Australia, but how much longer can it last?

The fact that it was until recently the highest rating TV series in Australia (only brought down lately by 'Seachange' after a strong fight that lasted a couple of years) should speak volumes about the quality. Based in the small town of Mt. Thomas the Heelers must constantly solve crimes and keep the peace whilst at the same time deal with each other in their small, cooped up police station. The regular addition of new cast members has also helped keep the series fresh as well as add the interesting relationshiops that develop.

The big problem however that appears to be fast catching up with the series is that despite the constant cast changes keeping the storys fresh it has also wittled down the original cast which has kept the old flavour alive. Now with the departing of Maggie (Lisa McCune) only Tom 'Boss' Croydon, PJ, and Chris at the pub are left. I have a bad feeling as to what will happen if any of the last 3 leave.

Rumours are already abounding that John Wood (Croydon) intends to retire within the next year or so. If Martin Sacks (PJ) leaves as well I think the series will have lost too much that any new cast could make up for. Characters may come and go but Croydon has always run the place his way and PJ is, well, PJ, which has kept the old feeling alive. And Chris has always been the old reliable woman at the pub for a chat. Whilst McCune's leaving may have proved that the series could survive even without it's biggest star I think anymore losses in the original cast may give the series it's deathblow.