australian television information archive

Series 2

Producers: Tom Hoffie, Tim Pye
Directors: Shawn Seet, Geoff Bennett, Lynn-Maree Danzey
Writers: Cathryn Strickland, Jane Allen, Tim Pye, Tamara Asmar, Christine McCourt

Series Two of LOVE CHILD begins on the eve of 1970. The final moments of the tumultuous sixties segue into the seventies, a new decade full of promise and rapid social change. Dr Joan Millar is asserting her new position as Junior Resident in the hospital with the staff, patients and fellow doctors alike, when an unexpected return is made by Dr Patrick McNaughton. The girls of Stanton House are on the cusp of freedom from Matron, with Martha, Shirley and Annie enjoying the life and bright lights of Kings Cross and with Viv and Patricia soon to be joining them. Each character's path to freedom has trials as well as tribulations, but it is the birth of one baby in particular that changes the lives of many. An era of change, season two brings births, deaths and marriages to 1970's Kings Cross.

Episode 2.01 (9)

Tue, May 05, 2015 (8:40)
920,000 viewers (6th)
Written by Cathryn Strickland
Directed by Shawn Seet

It's the eve of 1970, the dawn of a new decade, and Joan Millar is now a qualified doctor at Kings Cross Hospital. She's working hard to prove herself, but the appearance of a mysterious pregnant girl and the return of Dr. Patrick McNaughton threaten to throw her career off track. Viv's estranged mother tries to take control of her life. Annie learns a harsh lesson as a single mother in 1970s Kings Cross.

Starring: Jessica Marais as Dr. Joan Millar, Jonathan LaPaglia as Dr. Patrick McNaughton, Matt Le Nevez as Jim Marsh, Mandy McElhinney as Matron Frances Bolton, Ella Scott Lynch as Shirley Ryan, Harriet Dyer as Patricia Saunders, Gracie Gilbert as Annie Carmichael, Sophie Hensser as Viv Maguire, Miranda Tapsell as Martha Tennant

With: Jacqueline McKenzie as Mrs. Maguire; Ben O'Toole as Pete, Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Tessa James as Gail, Charlotte Hazzard as Helen, Jessica June as Tania, Michelle Martinez as Singer

Episode 2.02 (10)

Tue, May 12, 2015
817,000 viewers (8th)
Written by Jane Allen
Directed by Shawn Seet

After Gail's death, Joan is doubting her abilities as a doctor. This doubt is compounded when Viv, who is already frightened and wary of her mother, goes into labour and rejects Joan, asking for another doctor to attend her baby's birth. Viv finds an unlikely source of support in Matron as her labour drags on through the night. Shirley refuses to allow herself a moment to mourn when she receives some shattering news.

With: Jacqueline McKenzie as Mrs. Maguire; Ben O'Toole as Pete, Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Charlotte Hazzard as Helen, Jessica June as Tania, Ian Bolt as Bob Flannery, James Stanton-Cooke as Protestor, Simon Harvey as Reporter, Michael Thomson as Man, Deborah Jones as Landlady, Julian Lawrence as Soldier, Michael Faustman as Businessman

Episode 2.03 (11)

Tue, May 19, 2015
932,000 viewers (7th)
Written by Tim Pye
Directed by Shawn Seet

Patricia refuses to sign adoption papers for her unborn baby, with tragic results. Driven by the guilt she feels over Gail's death, Joan gets a step closer to finding a family for Gail's orphaned baby. Matron's world is rocked when her biological son is released from prison. Martha is swept off her feet by an admirer.

With: Ben O'Toole as Pete, Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Lincoln Younes as Chris Vesty, Ryan Corr as Johnny Lowry, Charlotte Hazzard as Helen, Jessica June as Tania, Marshall Napier as Gregory, Ian Bolt as Bob Flannery, Anna Lawrence as Maggie, Michelle Martinez as Singer [uncredited]

Note: Lincoln Younes' first appearance as Chris Vesty, a role previously played by Hugo Johnstone-Burt in episode 1.07

Episode 2.04 (12)

Tue, May 26, 2015
816,000 viewers (8th)
Written by Christine McCourt
Directed by Geoff Bennett

The time has finally come for Patty and Viv to leave Stanton House, but their futures could hardly appear more different. Shirley is tempted by an offer from McNaughton and Joan finds herself suddenly finds herself in the middle of a violent custody battle over Gail's baby. Patricia faces a crisis when she travels to Melbourne to marry her Prince Charming. Martha is obsessed with seeing Queen Elizabeth during the 1970 royal tour.

With: Ben O'Toole as Pete, Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Lincoln Younes as Chris Vesty, Marshall Napier as Gregory, Charlotte Hazzard as Helen, Jessica June as Tania, Maya Stange as Eva McNaughton, Brandon McClelland as Robert Donnelly, Susan Prior as Geraldine Donnelly, Peter Scrine as David Donnelly, Steve Nation as Lawyer, Donna Vecchio as Mother, Brandon Tuttle as Boy Lover, Brianna Gardoni as Girl Lover

Episode 2.05 (13)

Tue, June 02, 2015
859,000 viewers (7th)
Written by Jane Allen
Directed by Geoff Bennett

When baby Deanna goes missing, Annie's suitability as a single mother is called into question. Shirley begins to wonder whether the support on offer from McNaughton is what she needs. Desperate to take home his son, Jim comes to Joan with a very surprising proposal. Patricia has a life-changing encounter with some hippies.

With: Ben O'Toole as Pete, Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Lincoln Younes as Chris Vesty, Marshall Napier as Gregory, Jessica June as Tania, Maya Stange as Eva McNaughton, Nadia Townsend as Eleanor, Joel Spreadborough as Delivery Man, Aaron Scully as Painter, Shiloh Blondel as Lila, Billie Rose Crane as Fortune Teller, Beau Mathers as Bystander 1, David Benson as Bystander 2, Gio Garrick as Topless Protester

Episode 2.06 (14)

Tue, June 09, 2015
770,000 viewers (11th)
Written by Tim Pye
Directed by Geoff Bennett

Joan puts the welfare of baby James ahead of her career and agrees to marry Jim in an effort to keep the infant from his violent grandfather. Viv is tempted by the idea of a fresh start, and Matron makes a deal with the devil in order to save Stanton House from closure. Annie gets closer to Chris, unaware of his history.

With: Ben O'Toole as Pete, Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Lincoln Younes as Chris Vesty, Marshall Napier as Gregory, Charlotte Hazzard as Helen, Jessica June as Tania, Nadia Townsend as Eleanor, Ian Bolt as Bob Flannery, Brendan Miles as Registry Officer, Lizbeth Mendoza as Nanny, Damien Car as Witness, Lee Robinson as Paymaster

Episode 2.07 (15)

Tue, June 16, 2015
772,000 viewers (11th)
Written by Tamara Asmar & Tim Pye
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Martha's reunion with her birth mother doesn't go the way she always dreamt it would. Joan and Jim are driven apart by Gregory's attempt to gain custody of his grandson and Annie discovers she's pregnant to Chris, making Matron the grandmother of her unborn child.

With: Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Lincoln Younes as Chris Vesty, Marshall Napier as Gregory, Leah Purcell as Carla, et al

Episode 2.08 (16)

Tue, June 23, 2015
856,000 viewers (10th)
Written by Tim Pye
Directed by Lynn-Maree Danzey

Joan is forced to find a way to save Jim after Gregory's efforts to gain custody of his grandson become more extreme. Annie decides she can't give birth to a baby which would forever bind her to Matron and takes matters into her own hands. Matron has to choose between saving Stanton House and the life of her unborn grandson, and the former Stanton House girls rally around Patty and help her as she starts her own business. McNaughton makes fateful decision that has a drastic impact on Joan and Jim's future.

With: Andy Ryan as Simon Bowditch, Lincoln Younes as Chris Vesty, Marshall Napier as Gregory, Charlotte Hazzard as Helen, Grant Lyndon as Bank Manager, Giselle Da Silva as Briony, Steve Corner as Detective, Jeremiah Hartmann as Real Estate Agent, Patrick Webb as Bouncer, Lizeth Mendoza as Nanny, Jennie Cipri as Mother, Gabrielle Rawlings as Back up Singer 1, Kate Spice as Back up Singer 2