australian television information archive

It's a Long Way Home

Episode 1.01
Sunday, July 8, 2007 (SBS)
Written by Kelly Lefever
Directed by Catriona McKenzie

The Circuit is set in the Kimberley region of North Western Australia. It is a place of two seasons; the wet and the dusty dry. Known for its beauty, vastness and hardship, this region is a land rich in history for its traditional owners, but now sits within the confines of white ownership and white law. This is the home of The Circuit, the Magistrate's Court, which visits far-flung communities several days a month, bringing conveyor-belt justice dealt swiftly and fairly. Working between two worlds and juggling white law with traditional lore means that justice can be a slippery beast.

In this episode, City lawyer Drew Ellis finds himself a long way from home as he begins his new job with the Aboriginal Legal Service in the remote Kimberley region of north Western Australia. He joins a 'family' of court officers as they travel the 2000 kilometre circuit to dispense 'justice' in a harsh and vast environment a long way from home.

Starring: Aaron Pedersen as Drew Ellis, Kelton Pell as Sam Wallan, Tammy Clarkson as Bella Noble, Marta Kaczmarek as Ellie Zdybicka, Nick Simpson-Deeks as Archie McMahon, LeRoy Parsons as Clarence Long, Bill McCluskey as Sgt Bob Temple, Gary Sweet as Magistrate Peter Lockhart

Guest Starring: David Ngoombujarra as Harry Pope, Rohanna Angus as Debbie, Kirsty Hillhouse as Dianne Ellis, Stephen B'Aamba Albert as Ray Chance

Featuring: Kemal Osman, Peter Docker, Jedda Rae Hill, Paul Edgar, Sylvia Clarke

With: Luke Campbell, Albert Butt, Derek Ward, Travis Lepri, Suryani Jeffrey, Ralph Berman, Guy Ghouse, Damian Watkiss, Nicholas Ricardo Dean, Vanessa Poelina, Junie Djiagween, Rosalie Moulding, Neil McKenzie, Bill Stevens, Billeam Magala, Kevin Puertollano, Gemma Chaquebor, Peter Sebastian, Colin Hiatt, Stanley Djiagween, Henry Augustine, Richard Frankland, Graham Pell, Teresa Roe, Raymond Wandi, Ronald Walley, Andy King, Tony Familari, Francis Sampi, Michael Smith, Tina Kendall, Mikka Poelina, Peter Francis

In Country

Episode 1.02
July 15, 2007 (SBS)
Written by Dot West
Directed by Richard Frankland

A flurry of racist leaflets and a lack of faith in him by the people he is trying to help put Drew in bad temper. Sam and Drew seem determined to remain on different sides of the fence. Necessity places them in a position where they find out more about each other as a courtroom decision has tragic consequences.

Guest Starring: David Field as Kenneth Jones, David Ngoombujarra as Harry Pope, Kirsty Hillhouse as Dianne Ellis, Karen Pang as Megan, Stephen B'Aamba Albert as Ray Chance, Mark Coles-Smith as Billy Wallan

Featuring: Sandra Kelly, Sylvia Clarke, Jedda Rae Hill, Phillip Green, Peter Docker

With: Alfonse Walley, Chris Johnstone, Mickey Manolis, Trevor Williams, Patricia Edgar, Suryani Jeffrey, Nicholas Bourger, Kasia Kaczmarek, Tony Familari, Vanessa Pager, Greg Wood, Deborah Escott, Stanley Mirindo, John Vojkovich, Steve Milhench, Kevin Buckeridge, Merle Dann, Clinton Ferstl, Hayden Taylor, Buna Tuaty Poelina, Joeseph Roe

Deeper Water

Episode 1.03
July 22, 2007 (SBS)
Written by Mitch Torres
Directed by Catriona McKenzie

The race to save a young girl from abuse is on, but the law, and the predator's ties with the community and court, make the task seemingly impossible. Bella takes the law into her own hands and Archie and Clarry find themselves on different sides of the fence, leading to violence.

Guest Starring: David Ngoombujarra as Harry Pope, Rohanna Angus as Debbie, Andy King, John Moore, Jub Clerc, Gregory J Fryer

Featuring: Sandra Kelly, Debbie Pilkington, Sylvia Clarke, Jedda Rae Hill, Melbourne (John) Hart, Julien Cardenas, John Nodea, Sermsah (Suri) Bin Saad

With: Patricia Edgar, Samantha Cantrell, Peter West, Clifton Dean Bieundurry, Jack Lane, Jeanie Warbie, Gordon Dixon, Brian Bin Saaban, Lisa Burton, Elizabeth Bin Kaali, Preston Manado, Kevin Perkusich, Philus Kelly, Vanessa Pager, Peter Francis, Mickey Manolis, Stephen Pigram

Stairway to the Moon

Episode 1.04
July 29, 2007 (SBS)
Written by Beck Cole
Directed by Steve Jodrell

It's festival time in Broome, and what begins as a relaxing weekend quickly spirals out of control. Drew receives an ultimatum, Peter gets more than he bargained for, and there's tragedy for two of our people when one lands in hospital and the other in prison.

Guest Starring: Emma Booth as Nicola, Everlyn Sampi as Leoni, Kirsty Hillhouse as Dianne Ellis, Karen Pang as Megan, Stephen B'Aamba Albert as Ray Chance [uncredited], Gregory J Fryer as Joe

Featuring: Sarah McNeill, Marley Sharp, Buna Tuaty Poelina, Joseph Roe, Noreen Edgar, Jimmy Edgar, Phillip Green

With: Kathleen Ryan, Sharna Cox, Francis Djiagween, Susie Gilbert, Rechelle Webb, Clifton Dean Bieundurry, Paul Rider Boon, Aaron Panaia, Stephen Pigram Jnr, Lloyd Pigram, Greg Clerc

You Always Hurt the Ones You Love

Episode 1.05
Written by Kelly Lefever
With Jane Harrison & Kootji Raymond
Directed by Catriona McKenzie

In the aftermath of the festival, Archie and Clarry face court and potential prison-time. Sam makes a tragic discovery about his son as Drew makes a regretful decision about seeing his family.

Guest Starring: Emma Booth, Kirsty Hillhouse as Dianne Ellis, Ningali Lawford-Wolf, Mark Coles-Smith, Gregory J Fryer

Featuring: Margie Deegan, Stewart Gregory, Denise Cox, Mitch Torres, Ronald Love, Steven Barker, Craig Mathieson

With: Stanley Francis, Vincent Albert, Gregory Francis, Nadia Dyall, Kathy Pickett, Julie Cobb, Rena Dann, Sharna Cox, Jacob Nash

Home Is Where the Past Is

Episode 1.06
Written by Kelly Lefever
Directed by Richard Frankland

Drew's replacement has arrived with the wet season. Clarry struggles with prison, as a predator returns to the Mission bringing trouble with him. Sam's son forces him to make a surprise decision, and Drew is left to make a life changing choice.

Guest Starring: David Ngoombujarra as Harry Pope, Costa Ronin as Karl, Andrew Lewis, Ningali Lawford-Wolf, Mark Coles-Smith, Gregory J Fryer, Kirsty Hillhouse

Featuring: Sandra Kelly, Buna Tuaty Poelina, Joeseph Roe, Phillip Green, Peter Docker

With: Calum Kelly, Fiona Kieran, Kevin Smith, Rebecca Smith, John Albert, Peter Francis, Taipan Forrest, Bernie Pilkington, Eddie Roe, Dave Cockshott, Stephen McGregor, Dean Ashley James