Policeman (retired) [1] He is one of four children. Portrayed by Joel Tobeck, Lawson is a strong and authoritative man who is close friends and loyal allies with police surgeon Lucien Blake. Set in Ballarat in the 1950s, The Doctor Blake Mysteries ran for five popular seasons on the ABC, before being axed in 2017, controversially because it still attracted a dedicated following. This was followed by recurring or guest roles in Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, Crownies, Home and Away and Underbelly: Razor. The Doctor Blake Mysteries. Age Nadine is still working away as she is currently filming one of the Doctor Blake TV movies after having starred in the film, Celeste. . The Blake Mysteries, or a version of it, has been here before, on a different TV network, with a different hero and a slightly different title. Jean Beazley, played by Nadine Garner, will now be the show's main protagonist. But the only one that really seems affected by this in any negative way is McLachlan, who was once the lead character and now has to find a way to salvage his career. By the end of season two, Charlie seems to have adjusted to his new situation and has proven that he is a skilled officer, this however coincides with the temporary departure of Matthew Lawson, whom he has come to respect and admire. [4] Donald was also excited to join the show's Stewart family and work with Ray Meagher and Georgie Parker. Personal That was a big selling point. Then, at the start of series of four, Matthew is the victim of a hit and run while on duty. The series stars Craig McLachlan in the lead role of Doctor Lucien Blake, who returns home to Ballarat, northwest of Melbourne, in the late 1950s to take over his late father's general medical practice and role as police surgeon after an absence of 30 years. It's an outing that will test the waters and gauge the significant variables: will fans follow Blake to a commercial network and suffer the ads? A delirious prisoner on death row tells Dr Lucien Blake he is innocent of the police shooting for which he is soon to hang. This affects his role as commanding officer as it causes him to be more strict on his officers and more suspicious of Senior Constable Charlie Davis. Charlie Davis So why did this audition in particular appeal? The Doctor Blake Mysteries is produced by Melbourne-based December Media in association with Film Victoria and ABC Television, which also broadcasts it in Australia on ABC. It's now built around Ballarat native Jean and her knowledge of the town and its history, as well as the skills she learned assisting Lucien. [17] Donald appeared in the ABC comedy series Back In Very Small Business in 2018. However, at the fall of Singapore, he lost sight of both of them. Director: Ian Barry | Stars: Craig McLachlan, Nadine Garner, Rick Donald, Cate Wolfe. Its creators and producers, George Adams and Tony Wright, still resentful of the cancellation, reckon that it was, at the time, the most successful locally produced drama series in the country. He First Appeared in Season 2 Episode 1. Having previously served in the same capacity for his father, Jean has difficulty adjusting to Lucien's eccentric and sometimes oblivious behaviour; although considered old-fashioned in her ideas about womanhood, she occasionally challenges Blake's expectation that she wait on him hand and foot. Light brown The Doctor Blake Mysteries: Family Portrait, "The perfect caveman: 800 Words lovable larrikin wants to be more like his character", "Townsville boy nominated for a silver Logie", "Rick Donald: 'Why I came back to the Bay', "Exclusive: Rick Donald spills on his new role on Home and Away and his love for Georgie Parker", "Double act! First appearance However, very little is otherwise known, except that he has a niece, Rose Anderson, for whom he organizes a job for at the local newspaper. Rick Donald is an Australian actor, who is best known for his roles in many TV shows, these include roles in 800 Words (2015), A Place to Call Home (2013), House Husbands (2012), The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2013), Donald would also join the Australian Award winning drama series Wentworth (2013) in its 7th season as corrupt officer Sean Brody. Did you ever ask why they wanted one such character? Did you amp it up? TV-14 | 55 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery. | First appearance [3][15] Donald's short film The ATM took the third place prize at the 2016 Tropfest. Senior Sargent at Ballarat Police Station (Formerly). I'd been there for six months and thought I sounded just like everyone else. Shrewd and observant, her maternal tendencies are often a source of annoyance to her nephew, Danny Parks, whom she treats like a son, and lodger Mattie O'Brien, whose outgoing attitude she does not understand at all. Actor This action was taken because of allegations vehemently refuted by Craig. Please try again later. Hear The Angles Sing (S05e08) It could be that hes working on another project at this time but so far it doesnt seem as though anything has been updated or reported, so perhaps hes working or taking a break. However, aDoctor Blakecrew member later came forward to say McLachlan's behaviour on the set of the beloved TV show "looked like sexual harassment". Donald called it "the best role Ive been able to play yet", as Sean is a more serious character, which meant Donald was able to stretch his acting skills. Rick Donald is an Australian actor, who is best known for his roles in many TV shows, these include roles in 800 Words (2015), A Place to Call Home (2013), House Husbands (2012), The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2013), Donald would also join the Australian Award winning drama series Wentworth (2013) in its 7th season as corrupt officer Sean Brody. There are a few serendipitous positives amid the upheavals for the drama. Donald plays angry PE teacher Vinnie Thompson and found the role to be "cathartic", as he would never act like Vinnie does in real life. Doctor Blake is missing, one of many mysteries in the reboot of the TV series. "The Doctor Blake Mysteries" Series 4 sees some cast changes. Rick Donald . I'd missed Australia and was happy to come back. [18] For streaming video, Series 1-5 are all on BritBox in the US as of 2020. Allegations of sexual misconduct against McLachlan in January put an end to that plan. Before the beginning of series . He wrote and directed short film The ATM, which was entered into the 2016 Tropfest, where it placed third in the competition. Craig McLachlan. Few dramas can claim such a colourful past. With the second season everyone would have launched in but it was a great experience. [1], Donald has been married to fellow actor Catherine Mack-Hancock since 2016. I remember halfway through the series we were doing a table read and another Australian actor had come on playing my buddy, I remember when he said his first line, I thought 'Jesus, is that what I sound like?' I'm glad because it meant when I met James I wouldn't start accidentally singing the theme song. Donald admitted that he was "devastated" about leaving Doctor Blake to move to the United States, as it marked his first major lead role. [14] For his work on 800 Words, Donald received a nomination for Most Outstanding Supporting Actor at the 2017 Logie Awards. Doctor Blake Mysteries to return without Craig McLachlan. Showrunners felt the longer format better suited the award-winning drama. (McLachlan denies the allegations and has taken defamation action against Fairfax Media, publishers of this article). Donald said his mother named him Rick after an actor on a television show. The telemovie, set several years later than the TV series, in 1963, has Mrs Blake drawn into the investigation of two murders while she deals with the trauma of her husband, Dr Blake, being missing and presumed dead. Chief Supt William Munro . [1] The following year, Donald appeared in the television miniseries Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, legal drama Crownies,[3] and true-crime television film Blood Brothers, based on the Gilham family murders. Dr. Blake returns to Ballarat from Adelaide and is called immediately to the scene of a racetrack murder in "The Open Road". The Blake Mysteries, formerly known as The Doctor Blake Mysteries, is returning next week without lead actor Craig McLachlan. Official Sites [2][12] From 2015 to 2018, Donald played carpenter "Woody" in television drama 800 Words, which was filmed in New Zealand. Release Dates . Green Blake also spent time in Thailand's Ban Pong POW camp. 5 Credits. Matthew Lawson is the retired Chief superintendent of the Ballarat Police Force. Dr Blake concludes that the victim was not drunk and died before the crash of very unusual causes. 8. Jean Beazley 44 Episodes 2017. Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2017. The Seven source said the series will remain intact despite McLachlan's absence, with other major characters set to return. One of the things I realised when I started doing the sitcom is I needed to add about 20 per cent to each line to make it land because otherwise it was too realistic. Rose Anderson (niece), Vera Anderson (Sister) Some Cast Changes This Season and the Conclusion of Blake's Family Drama. The hope for the telemovie is that it will rate well enough to motivate Seven to commission more. Whatever Happened to Lisa Edelstein after House? The Seven Network agreed to bring the show back in a series of telemovies using all the original cast save for the lead, as it might send a bad message to keep him on. Nothing can prepare you for working on one, because it's a hybrid experience working with a live audience but having cameras doing a close-up at the same time. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. [13] Donald's character proved popular with viewers during season one and his role was expanded in season two, with Woody receiving a love interest and his own storylines. I love acting in my accent. "She's courageous, but she's damaged," says Garner. Her husband died in the war and she is aware that her living with the unattached Blake is a source of gossip. Occupation The next instalment, like the the season five finale that went to air in November 2017, will . The results of this injury lead the Superintendent into an early retirement. So it was that Acosta on CNN last week honored Tucker Carlson with his "Bullshit Factory Employee of the. We're proud to support this new direction.". The Doctor Blake Mysteries: Family Portrait: Directed by Ian Barry. :-(, executive producer / producer (46 episodes, 2013-2018), executive producer / commissioning editor (36 episodes, 2013-2016), executive producer (36 episodes, 2013-2016), associate producer (24 episodes, 2015-2017), producer / executive producer (10 episodes, 2017-2018), executive producer: ABC (9 episodes, 2017), executive producer: ABC (8 episodes, 2017), makeup department head / hair designer / makeup designer / makeup and hair supervisor / makeup artist (38 episodes, 2013-2018), make-up and hair supervisor / hair supervisor / makeup supervisor / additional make up artist / hair and makeup supervisor (25 episodes, 2014-2017), makeup artist / hair stylist & makeup artist / hair stylist / assistant hair stylist / assistant makeup artist (23 episodes, 2015-2017), makeup artist / hair stylist & makeup artist / hair stylist / additional makeup assistant (20 episodes, 2013-2015), key makeup artist / key hair stylist / key hair and makeup (20 episodes, 2013-2014), hair stylist & makeup artist / makeup artist (16 episodes, 2016-2017), hair supervisor / makeup supervisor / additional makeup artist / hair stylist / makeup artist / makeup department head (13 episodes, 2014-2018), additional make up artist / additional makeup artist / makeup and hair supervisor (13 episodes, 2014-2017), additional make up artist / additional makeup artist (8 episodes, 2013-2014), assistant makeup artist (8 episodes, 2017), makeup and hair artist / additional makeup artist / hair stylist / make up & hair artist / makeup artist (7 episodes, 2014-2015), additional make up artist / additional makeup artist (7 episodes, 2014-2015), additional makeup artist (5 episodes, 2013-2015), additional makeup artist (3 episodes, 2015), additional makeup artist (3 episodes, 2013-2015), additional make up artist (2 episodes, 2014), assistant makeup artist / makeup and hair assistant (2 episodes, 2017-2018), hair & makeup artist / makeup and hair / makeup artist (2 episodes, 2017-2018), additional makeup artist (1 episode, 2013), additional makeup artist (1 episode, 2015), key hair stylist / key makeup artist (1 episode, 2018), chief executive officer: Screen Australia (46 episodes, 2013-2018), post-production supervisor (26 episodes, 2015-2018), post-production supervisor (20 episodes, 2013-2014), second assistant director (44 episodes, 2013-2017), third assistant director (26 episodes, 2014-2016), first assistant director (18 episodes, 2013-2016), third assistant director (10 episodes, 2013), first assistant director (10 episodes, 2015-2017), third assistant director (8 episodes, 2017), additional assistant director (6 episodes, 2015), third assistant director / additional assistant director (5 episodes, 2015-2017), additional first assistant director / first assistant director (4 episodes, 2013), first assistant director (4 episodes, 2014), first assistant director (4 episodes, 2016), first assistant director (4 episodes, 2017), first assistant director (2 episodes, 2013), additional assistant director (1 episode, 2015), second assistant director (1 episode, 2017), assistant director attachment (1 episode, 2017), assistant art director (26 episodes, 2013-2015), art department coordinator / art dept coordinator (26 episodes, 2014-2018), graphics / graphic designer (26 episodes, 2014-2018), set dresser / art department buyer (25 episodes, 2014-2018), props buyer / props master / props (25 episodes, 2014-2017), graphics / graphic designer (25 episodes, 2014-2017), set dresser / art department buyer (23 episodes, 2014-2017), standby props / stand-by props (23 episodes, 2014-2017), art department assistant / standby assistant (21 episodes, 2014-2017), art dept assistant / additional art department assistant / art / art department assistant (11 episodes, 2015-2017), standby props assistant / armourer (9 episodes, 2015-2017), action vehicles assistant (9 episodes, 2017), assistant art director (8 episodes, 2016), action vehicles coordinator (8 episodes, 2017), set decorator / set dresser (2 episodes, 2014-2018), art department assistant (2 episodes, 2014), assistant standby props (1 episode, 2017), additional assistant on-set props (uncredited) (4 episodes, 2013), sound mixer / sound designer / sound editor / post-production sound / sound designer/mixer (28 episodes, 2013-2017), re-recording mixer / sound designer / supervising sound editor (1 episode, 2018), special effects supervisor / special effects / special effects on set supervisor (4 episodes, 2015-2016), special effects assistant (1 episode, 2013), Visual effects artist: Chroma Media (16 episodes, 2015-2017), visual effects supervisor (10 episodes, 2014), assistant stunt coordinator / stunt coordinator / stunt rigger / stunt driver (19 episodes, 2013-2016), safety supervisor (17 episodes, 2015-2017), stunt coordinator (14 episodes, 2013-2014), safety supervisor / additional safety supervisor / stunt performer (8 episodes, 2013-2014), stunt coordinator (7 episodes, 2014-2015), utility stunts / stunt double: Sara Gleeson / stunt performer (6 episodes, 2013-2017), stunt performer / stunts (3 episodes, 2015-2017), stunt driver / stunt performer / stunt performer: stunt double (2 episodes, 2013-2015), still photographer (44 episodes, 2013-2017), first assistant camera: "a" camera / a cam focus puller / a camera focus puller / a camera focus fuller (33 episodes, 2014-2017), electrician / third electrician (25 episodes, 2014-2017), third grip / best boy grip (18 episodes, 2014-2015), electrician / 4th electrics (17 episodes, 2015-2017), b cam focus puller / clapper loader / b camera focus puller (17 episodes, 2015-2017), best boy / electrician (16 episodes, 2014-2017), camera operator / additional camera operator (13 episodes, 2015-2017), third grip / additional grip (13 episodes, 2013-2015), camera operator / additional camera operator (11 episodes, 2015-2017), grip assistant / additional grip (9 episodes, 2014-2015), b cam focus puller / b camera focus puller (7 episodes, 2014), first assistant camera: "b" camera (7 episodes, 2015), first assistant camera: "a" camera (3 episodes, 2013), additional electrics / assistant grip (3 episodes, 2014), additional electrician / best boy (2 episodes, 2015-2017), additional electrician (2 episodes, 2015), second assistant camera (2 episodes, 2013), additional grip / assistant grip (2 episodes, 2014), additional second assistant camera (2 episodes, 2016), first assistant camera: "b" camera (1 episode, 2015), additional electrician (uncredited) (2 episodes, 2015), additional grip (uncredited) (1 episode, 2015), costumer / costume maker / costumier (25 episodes, 2014-2018), costume supervisor (22 episodes, 2014-2017), stand-by costumer / key costumer / costume supervisor / costumer (21 episodes, 2015-2018), costume standby / set costumer / costume stand-by / costume standby assistant (17 episodes, 2016-2018), costume assistant (15 episodes, 2014-2015), costume stand-by / additional costumer (8 episodes, 2014-2015), first assistant editor (17 episodes, 2016-2017), first assistant editor (10 episodes, 2014), assistant editor / first assistant editor (9 episodes, 2017), locations scout / location scout (36 episodes, 2013-2016), on-set location manager / supervising location manager (18 episodes, 2013-2017), location coordinator (16 episodes, 2016-2017), location scout / assistant location manager (9 episodes, 2017), music supervisor (27 episodes, 2013-2015), network script executive (35 episodes, 2013-2016), script supervisor (29 episodes, 2013-2017), script coordinator / script editor / Story Editor (13 episodes, 2014-2017), script supervisor (8 episodes, 2016-2017), script supervisor (4 episodes, 2013-2014), action vehicle coordinator / action vehicles coordinator (15 episodes, 2014-2015), action vehicle supervisor / action vehicles coordinator (15 episodes, 2014-2015), action vehicles coordinator (1 episode, 2017), production runner / assistant production coordinator / cast assistant (45 episodes, 2013-2017), production coordinator (36 episodes, 2013-2016), production secretary / assistant production coordinator (21 episodes, 2013-2017), production accountant (13 episodes, 2014-2018), armorer / armourer (12 episodes, 2013-2017), group production manager (10 episodes, 2013), deputy head of fiction: ABC (8 episodes, 2015), production coordinator (8 episodes, 2017), assistant production coordinator (4 episodes, 2017), script executive: ABC TV (1 episode, 2017).