australian television information archive

Rat Tamer

Episode 1 (90min)
Wednesday, July 26, 1995
Written by (not given)
Directed by Kate Woods

As the new psychologist at Blackstream prison, Louisa Correlli must find her way to help a long-serving prison officer, Ben Costa, come to terms with the break up of his marriage and the death of his best friend.

Starring: Deborra-Lee Furness as Louisa Correlli, Hugh Jackman as Kevin Jones, Sue Jones as Sister Pat, Richard Piper as Sam Montelle, Neil Melville as Governor Jim Sanderson, John Brumpton as Officer Gilbert, Tenley Gillmore as Danielle Correlli, Paul Reardon as Anthony Correlli

Featuring: William Zappa as Officer Ben Costa

With: Marcus Eyre as Officer 'Fatz' Blingham, Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Robert Morgan as Officer Ross Bannerman, Tom Consindine as Officer Cross, John Atkinson as Officer Reid, Damien Pree as Officer Mark Bagley, Andrew Baker as Officer Ian Wisher, Dana Wong as Officer David Chan, Niesld Schneider as Officer Buttrose, Tim Homewood as Officer Marchman, Jon Concannon as Ian 'Johnno' Johnson, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Dan Reaper as Slug, Suzi Dougherty as Trina, James Ryan as Dean, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Julian Branagan as Downs, Chris Bidlo as Dirt, Malcolm Sutherland as Blacker, Stan Dryden as Danny Freeman, Phil Motherwell as Kirby, Dennis Moss as Baldy, Helen Trenos as Debbie Wilson, Warwick Begg as Head Of Security, Lisa Thorpe as Danny Freeman's Wife, Natasha Cajkovac as Slug's Wife, Cherise Donovan as Slug's Daughter, David Le Page as Soggie Co-Ordinator

Roman Holiday

Episode 2
Wednesday, August 02, 1995
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Tony Tilse

Louisa discovers the truth about prisoner Kevin Jones but before she exposes him, she must establish why he chose to travel the path of deceit. Concurrently, Louisa is drawn into the fantastic world of prisoner Alfredo Martinelli and his pain when Jean, his long time visitor, dies in a car crash.

Featuring: Alberto Vila as Alfredo Martinelli, Cecily Polson as Jean

With: Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Tom Considine as Officer Cross, John Atkinson as Officer Reid, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Dan Reaper as Slug, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Julian Branagan as Downs, Terry Kenwrick as Minister, Helen Trenos as Debbie Wilson, Luke Elliot as Howard Phillips, Penny Schlam as Helen, Neil Foley as Prisoner #, Roger O'Connor as Officer Tilse,

Shots In the Dark

Episode 3
Wednesday, August 09, 1995
Written by (not given)
Directed by Mandy Smith

Louisa is confronted by the parallels of life and work when Brett Hodges, a prisoner a little older than her son Anthony, arrives at the jail. Hodge's attitude problem and naivety makes him vulnerable to the drug network. Thwarted in her attempt to help him, Louisa is alerted by Pat to the realities of prison life and this impacts on Louisa's personal life.

Featuring: Jonothan Brooks as Brett Hodges

With: Robert Morgan as Officer Bannerman, Tom Considine as Officer Cross, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Dan Reaper as Slug, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Julian Branagan as Downs, Phil Motherwell as Kirby, Dennis Moss as Baldy, Bianca Griffin as Beck, Natasha Cajkovac as Slug's Wife

Solitary

Episode 4
Wednesday, August 16, 1995
Written by (not given)
Directed by Robert Klenner

Officer Helen Buckley joins Blackstream Prison and is unwittingly seduced by Specs Redman, a prisoner with an hidden agenda.

Featuring: Denise Roberts as Officer Buckley, Bill Young as Dean 'Specs' Redman

With: Gerald Lepkowski as Officer Tyler, Damien Pree as Officer Bagley, Jonothan Brooks as Brett Hodges, David Glazebrook as Maxi Gregg, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Julian Branagan as Downs, Dan Reaper as Slug, Malcolm Sutherland as Blacker, Bruce Kerr as Doctor, Jules Hutchison as Nurse

Lock-Down

Episode 5
Wednesday, August 23, 1995
Written by (not given)
Directed by Julian McSwiney

Louisa's progress with Brett Hodges is halted when a planned visit from his estranged sister is thwarted by industrial action resulting in a lock-down of the prison. After Redman's shooting, an isolated Officer Buckley must attempt to regain her status with the other officers and scornful prisoners.

Featuring: Denise Roberts as Officer Buckley, Jonothan Brooks as Brett Hodges, Pepe Trevor as Karen Hodges

With: Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Vince D'Amico as Officer Landa, Tom Considine as Officer Cross, Tony Rickards as Officer McAlpine, Nicholas Bell as Officer Holland, John Atkinson as Officer Reid, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Dan Reaper as Slug, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Julian Branagan as Downs, John Penman as Cash, Vashti Hughes as Kerry, Helen Trenos as Debbie Wilson

Spoons

Episode 6
Wednesday, August 30, 1995
Written by (not given)
Directed by Kate Woods

Louisa is faced with a self-mutilator known as Spoons who she is trying to have transferred to a psychiactric facility. Also, Louise and Sister Pat encourage a trio of inmates struggling with alcohol to form a band.

Featuring: David Ngoombujarra as Warren 'Budgie' Keating, Brad Byquar as Eddie, David Schofield as Geoff 'Spoons' Morton, Tom E. Lewis as Fred,

With: Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Tom Considine as Officer Cross, Tony Rickards as Officer McAlpine, Damien Pree as Officer Mark Bagley, Jonothon Brookes as Brett Hodges, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Simon Wood as Older Boy, Sue Giles as Reporter, Luke Sparkes as Young Spoons, Ruby Hunter as Judy Roberts, Helen Trenos as Debbie Wilson

Note: This episode was selected to screen at the Banff Television Festival in 1996

Wishin' And Hopin'

Episode 7
Wednesday, September 06, 1995
Written by Chris McCourt
Directed by Mandy Smith

Terri and Kim, whose partners are in prison awaiting trial, anxiously await the outcome of their respective cases. When the men are convicted, the women make a pact to leave them if their sentences exceed five years. Meanwhile, Louisa faces a performace review while trying to get Kevin to engage with his therapy.

Featuring: Elena Mandalis as Kim, Kaarin Fairfax as Terri, Anthony Hayes as Gazza, Roger Stephen as Rod

With: Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Tom Considine as Officer Cross, Dan Reaper as Slug, David Swann as Dan, Dylan Foss as Tom, Sally Christie as Julie, Paul Teiwes as Officer #1, Alan Spalding as Male Barrister, Ross Meuller as Man In Bar #1, Rod Catterall as Man In Bar #2

An Early Release

Episode 8
Wednesday, September 13, 1995
Written by (not given)
Directed by Robert Klenner & Ali Ali

Louisa faces a personal and professional crisis when she has to negotiate a meeting with inmate Stephen Haines, a psychopathic sadist, and the parents of one of his victims.

Featuring: David Argue as Stephen Haines, Maggie Dence as Maureen Barnes, Gary Files as Henry Barnes

With: Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Stan Dryden as Danny Freeman, Elizabeth Maywald as Norma Whitton, Helen Trenos as Debbie Wilson, Dana Wong as Officer Chan

Revelations

Episode 9
Wednesday, September 20, 1995
Written by Annie Beach, Arianna Bosi, Martin McKenna
Directed by Tony Tilse

Sister Pat's emotions are in disarray when Margaret, her support of many years, decides to leave the order. An inmate distraught over being turned down for early parole commits suicide. Kevin opens up to Louisa about his role in his brother's death. Anthony is brought home by the police.

Featuring: Ray Barrett as Harry Powell, Roger Oakley as Jack Glennon, Pat Bishop as Sister Margaret

With: Marcus Eyre as Officer 'Fatz' Blingham, Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, John Atkinson as Officer Reid, Jonothan Brooks as Brett Hodges, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Julian Branagan as Downs, Clive Hearne as Parole Chairperson, Liam Sutherland as Matt Jones, Patrick Moffatt as Prison Medical Officer, Jeremy Fuller as Cop, Barbara Cutting as Shoe Store Salesperson, Helen Trenos as Debbie Wilson, Judith Roberts as Sister Claire

Rumours

Episode 10 (finale)
Wednesday, September 27, 1995
Written by Peter Kinloch
Directed by Kate Woods

Blackstream is riddled with drugs and a cloud of suspicion hangs over some of the officers. Harry refuses to be put in isolation when his HIV status gets out. Louisa crosses the line with Kevin and rumours about their relationship quickly spread through the prison.

Featuring: Ray Barrett as Harry Powell

With: Anthea Davis as Officer Jenkins, Marcus Eyre as Officer 'Fatz' Blingham, Robert Morgan as Officer Ross Bannerman, Julian Branagan as Downs, Doug Bowles as Murphy, Grant Piro as Toby Miller, Dan Reaper as Slug, Syd Brisbane as Steve Morrissey, Joszef Toth as Custodial Officer #1, Wayne Dyer as Custodial Officer #2