australian television information archive

Ashes to Ashes

Episode 1.01
Premiere: August 11, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Rick Maier
Directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn

A man out for an early morning surf gets more than he bargained for when surf blows a corpse out of the water and into his face. It appears to be a routine investigation, natural causes being indicated… but complications arise when Tessa and Steve find they cannot identify the victim, and no-one steps forward to claim him. Surely someone should be missing a well-groomed man in his fifties?
Meanwhile Tessa is re-united with her ex-boyfriend, journalist Ezra Simms, at the funeral of his colleague, Sam Connolly. Sam was a victim of a hit and run and no one has been able to help in locate the driver who killed him. Ezra is convinced Sam was murdered because he knew too much, and that this only confirms Ezra is onto the scoop of the century — he is about to prove the link between prominent members of the community and the underworld in a huge development scam. No one believes him. But Ezra is being watched, an afternoon spent with Tessa seals his fate. When Ezra himself is murdered, Tessa is one of the few ready to champion his cause. Especially when evidence comes to light incriminating Ezra in the development scam, and the police begin to question his integrity. Even Thorne finds the evidence against Ezra compelling and pulls Tessa off the case.
Steve finds himself caught between the evidence he has before him, and Tessa's firm belief that Ezra was an honourable man. And there still remains the mystery of the unidentified man found at the beach. Tessa's confidence in her friend's integrity never waivers, and eventually provides the spark that helps Tessa make the intriguing connection — but the investigation takes a terrifying twist when the powerful forces behind the development scam soon realise Tessa and Steve are a potential threat to their operation and must be eliminated.

Guest Cast: Jeremy Callaghan as Ezra Simms, Diana McLean as Mrs. Adele Adretti, Bridge Andrews as Mr. Andretti, John Andrews as Mr. Weiss, Ian Bliss as Scott McKenna, Ezra Bix as Dr. Pollock, Sara Grenfell as Bridget, Peter Heath as Detective Briggs, Tamar Kelly as Mandy, Margo Kirk as Mrs. Conolly, Rob Thomas as Ashley Winter

Note: while the number of episodes of Murder Call is not in doubt (56), there is some question as to their proper order (the original broadcast order is used in this guide) and the correct number of series (I've used 3 based on broadcast seasons but I've seen reference to just 2 production series

The Burial

Episode 1.02
August 18, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by David Phillips
Directed by Mark Piper

Late night. A voice recites limericks on a moonlit beach. Suddenly, all goes quiet. A grey dawn, and a dog and its owner, the stern Major Richter, make a gruesome discovery — a human head attached to the very dead body of Adrian McCafferty who is buried up to his neck under the sand. Adrian drowned when the tide came in and covered him. Tessa and Steve learn that there was a beach party last night. Adrian was buried as part of a joke. Is his death simply a stupid party prank gone wrong, or is there something more sinister to discover?
They meet the party goers, Rebecca, the dead man's girlfriend, Star, the dead man's ex-girlfriend and Max, the dead man's friend who is now involved with both women. Party, booze and the complicated sexual relationships add fuel to the scenario that Adrian's death was an accident ready to happen. Assuming the autopsy will confirm that Adrian's death was an accident, Tessa and Steve attend the scene of another murder.
The badly decomposed body of one James, Vanderbeck. Dead for a month. Wanting both cases wrapped up quickly, Thorn splits the team, sending Tessa off to cover the autopsies and leaving the real detective work on the Vanderbeck case to Steve. At homicide Steve discovers an intriguing connection between Adrian and Vanderbeck.
Meanwhile at the morgue, Tootsie reveals to Tessa that Adrian's death was not an accident. He was dead before the water ever reached him… so who was responsible? The current girlfriend, needy Rebecca? Star, the rejected woman? Max the jealous lover? Or Major Richter whose distaste at the libertine behaviour of the party goers was obvious. The connection between both murders hangs on the distinctive label of a wine bottle found at both crime scenes. Steve discovers the connection while protecting one of the grieving women and finds himself in a life threatening situation. Tessa has already figured out the killer's identity and races to warn him. Thorne will have cause to rethink the idea of splitting up his team… a detective's safety has to come first… as the puzzle finally comes together.

Guest Cast: Jeremy Ball as Max Beamish, Clodagh Crowe as Star Silver, Paula Arundell as Rebecca Voss, Jeremy Cumpston as Adrian McCafferty, John Gregg as Major Alan Richter, Rebecca Rennie as Pam Ferriss, Cameron Stewart as Renzo, Alan Dukes as Constable Peter Mikos

Cat and Mouse

Episode 1.03
August 25, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Catherine Stryckland
Directed by Richard Jasek

Wheelchair bound Spinner congratulates himself on finishing a piece of artwork by pouring a cold beer and logging on to his favourite internet games forum. His pleasure is short lived, however, as a shadow falls across him and a lead pipe takes him out of the game… permanently. Tessa and Steve arrive on the scene to find the killer has taken the time to send the message "Spinner Resigns" over the internet to the victim's games partner. The murder takes on new importance when Dee reveals she knows the victim.
While Dee tries to come to terms with her friend's murder, Steve and Tessa struggle to put together the pieces of the puzzle. Is the internet a factor? Is that how the killer met his victim? Other unresolved murders begin to emerge as being connected and our team realises they're dealing with a serial killer, a games player with a penchant for murder. How does he chose his victims? Why has something personal been taken from each murder scene?
A new murder further complicates the issue… the victim had no computer, no access to the Internet. But Tessa knows she's on the right track. Dee, meanwhile, has a game of skill and luck with a new partner in the same games forum Spinner used. While Tessa and Steve enlist the help of a computer whiz, trying desperately to track down the killer before he can strike again. Dee is moving quickly towards the biggest mistake she is ever likely to make… giving her address to her new games partner. Will Steve and Tessa make the connection in time to save Dee? Or will the killer roll the dice one more time?

Guest Cast: Kieran Darcy-Smith as Felix Kiver, Scott Cameron as Spinner, David MacKennal as Robert Lillee, Robert Faggetter as Detective Dean, Sofya Gollan as Simone, Emma Blake as Roberta, Rani Ramjan as Becky, Richard Lindsell as Picket, Pete Nettell as Computer Technician

Dead Clean

Episode 1.04
September 01, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Ted Roberts
Directed by Ian Watson

While investigating a series of bizarre murders, Steve and Tessa are drawn to the local community centre, a drop-in for former mental patients. With a handful of suspects, but no real clues, Steve and Tessa must race against the clock to find the killer before he strikes again

Guest Cast: Gosia Dobrowolska as Vida Kristov, Daniel Rigney as Robbie Masters; Olivia Pigeot as Daniel Vander, Paul Caesar as Bryce Phillips, Teo Gerbert as Simon Kristov, Leigh Taylor as Lynette, Marcia Neal as Dero Woman, Hugo Gilbert as Sir Lancelot, Alison Van Reeken as Sarah Lovett, Rebecca Davies as Amanda Hill, Samantha Rebillet as Claire Halligan, Susan O'Brien as Old Female Dero, Theresa Famularo as Angelina Pappas, Frank Garfield as Tony Leblanco, Geoff Weston as Cop #1, Kurt Sutherland as Young Simon, Jamie Schiltz as Young Brother #1, Benjamin Fender as Young Brother #2

Who Killed Cock Robin

Episode 1.05
September 08, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Shelley Birse
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

To the outside world former football star Robin Cochrane was a picture of charm, but when he is found poisoned by a chemical solvent, Tessa and Steve are forced to put together a picture of the not so pleasant private life of Robin Cochrane.

Guest Cast: Diane Craig as Diane Cochrane, Zachery McKay as Vincent Frangelli, Jessica Napier as Brodie Cochrane; Kim Knuckey as Robin Cochrane, Justin Martin as Daniel Cochrane, Judith Wright as Laurie Baker, John Tutt as Mr. Wilkie.

Note: winner of the 1998 Australian Cinematographers Society Golden Tripod Award in the category "Telefeatures, TV Drama & Mini Series" (Jeffrey Malouf)

Hot Shot

Episode 1.06
September 15, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Kristen Dunphy
Directed by Richard Sarell

When Maddie Herman, a paparazzi photographer who made her living out of the gossip and innuendo of the lives of others is found murdered, Steve and Tessa have no shortage of suspects. But when the case takes a sudden twist, Steve and Tessa realise that someone is leading them on a merry chase — until the trail leads the team back to a very surprising suspect.

Guest Cast: Chris Haywood as Jack Telfer, Melissa George as Petra Salinis, Victoria Longley as Cynthia Chase, Nicolle Dickson as Maddie Herman, Christopher Stollery as Adam Murch, Liza Witt as Suzie Gintowt, Alison Cratchley as Reporter, Alexander Luppi as Floor Manager

Black Friday

Episode 1.07
September 22, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by David Phillips
Directed by Richard Sarell

Steve and Tessa are called in to solve the murder of Trevor Parkin, his body was found one Friday afternoon in a zoo — he was wearing a gorilla costum. The more they discover about the deceased, the deeper the mystery, and although all the witnesses are helpful, there is no suspect, and no clear motive… or is there?

Guest Cast: Judi Farr as Mrs. Parkin, Brett Climo as Kim Kouros; Alexander Hughes as Michael Kouros, Cathy Campbell as Sally Hicks, Daniel Roberts as Matt Proport, Mark MacCallum as TV Interviewer, Emily Hagivassilus as Little Girl, Christopher Baz as Bones Limmer, Frank Violi as Plain Clothes Policeman

Last Stop

Episode 1.08
September 29, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Denise Morgan
Directed by Richard Jasek

Abel Jago sits dead in an armchair before his valuable toy railway, on which the train of cars make their rounds. The railway engineer left a short farewell letter to his wife Ellie before committing suicide. Tessa however soon has doubts about Jagos suicide and when the autopsy results come in, it is revealed he was poisoned with cyanide.

Guest Cast: Jennifer Cluff as Ellie Jago, Mitchell Butel as Paul Jago; James Lord as Darren Browning, Tim Elston as Tim Peake, Sarah Woods as Lyn Browning, Arthur Briggs as Abel Jago

Something Wicked

Episode 1.09
October 06, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Denise Morgan
Directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn

When a man with a history of abuse is found dead, Tessa and Steve must unlock a conspiracy of silence in order to find the answers. In the process, Tessa comes to learn a valuable lesson on the subject of emotional manipulation.

Guest Cast: David McCubbin as Jonathan Stoller, Jane Harders as Miss Henderson, Roslyn Oades as Astral Bridle, Inge Hornstra as Bliss Bridle, Jane Flanders as Skye Bridle, Dale Pengelly as Adam Quinn

Drop Dead Gorgeous

Episode 1.10
October 13, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Chris Hawkshaw
Directed by Ian Watson

Former football star Wayne Pascall is found dead in the lift of a publicity company owned by Anita Black. Anita is successful, attractive and now missing. Tessa and Steve ruffle the feathers of a prominent politician among others while trying to locate Anita. Nothing is adding up, until Tessa realises the secret in Anita's past. The revelation will impact on many lives.

Guest Cast: Norrie May-Welby as Anita Black, Daniel Wyllie as Rory Coombe, Paula Forrest as Susan Frickberge, David Webb as Dr. Michael Darwin, Tony Farrow as Wayne Pascall, Peter Callan as Terry (Reporter), Anthony Martin as Minder, Blake Rutledge as Anita Body Double

Dead and Gone

Episode 1.11
October 20, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Daniel Krige
Directed by Mark Piper

When Krystyan Balzan is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in his house, Steve and Tessa believe he came home unexpectedly and disturbed a robbery in progress. The facts seem to support this idea, but the theory is shaken when his wife, Lucy, is found close to death—is it suicide or attempted murder? Steve and Tessa are surprised to discover that Fisk is connected to this tale of murder.

Guest Cast: Kirrily White as Lucy Balzan, Doris Younane as Michelle Balzan, David Franklin as Jonah Balzan, Julian Garner as William Lees, Richard Irvine as Frank, Naomi Wallace as Janelle, David Scott as Mark - Fisk's assistant, Todd Goddard as Police Officer #1, Antony Waddington as Police Officer #2

Wages of Sin

Episode 1.12
October 27, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Sally Webb
Directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn

Steve and Tessa are called in to investigate the death of a female, found in a seedy part of town that is renowned for prostitutes. But the case becomes baffling when they learn the dead woman wasn't a prostitute, but rather a Nun who was four months pregnant. What was a Nun doing in a hotel full of prostitutes? Why is she wearing bright red shoes? And who killed her?

Guest Cast: Geoff Cartwright as Ted Hefferman, Lyn Collingwood as Mother Agnes, Mary Haire as Bernie, Jacqueline Brennan as Leonie, Danny Nash as Howard Freeling, Alan David Lee as Robert Elbin, Angeline Neville as Sharon Weldon, Ian Wilson as Brian 'Boozer' Lackey, Joanna Bialas as Sister Margaret Theresa

An Eye For An Eye

Episode 1.13
November 03, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Andrew Kelly
Directed by Julian McSwiney

A mummified body is found in an empty house. It is identified as Karen Diskin, daughter of police inspector Snowy Muldoon, who was missing presumed murdered two years ago. Thorne was the investigating officer at the time and arrested Karen's husband, Daniel, for the murder. Thorne assigns Tessa and Steve to tie up the loose ends. But it soon begins to appear that the evidence against Daniel Diskin was planted — which places Thorne under suspicion for his part in the investigation.

Guest Cast: Brian McDermott as Inspector "Snowy" Muldoon, Lynne Murphy as Elsie Pickering, Yves Stening as Daniel Diskin, George Mangos as Jason Powell, Rohan Michael as Larry Crazier, Alan Lock as Nick Pickering, Stephen O'Rourke as Dr. Louis Crane, Jodie Geerin as Alice Bullock, Mary-Ann Henshaw as Sally Bullock, Shigemi Nakamura-Simms as Mrs Hoshina

Blood Heat

Episode 1.14
November 10, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Rick Maier
Directed by Grant Brown

A video store proprietor is discovered brutally murdered in the back room of his own premises. At first it appears the crime may have been linked to a demonstration protesting the display of a violent video release, but soon other suspects emerge.

Guest Cast: Anthony Phelan as Trevor Muldine, Genevieve Mooy as Lorelei Brady, Bill Haydon as Pat O'Donnell, Raj Ryan as Sanjay Singh, Karen Vickery as Jan Mundine, Leeanna Walsman as Camilla Collins, Paul Barry as Duncan Bree, Samantha Lalli as Suzie Price, Rocky McDonald as Blood Heat Creature, Leanne Bruce as Screaming Woman

Fall From Grace

Episode 1.15
November 17, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe

When Julia Halliday's closest friends arrive at her mountain home, she is nowhere to be seen. Instead, a videotape is found, addressed to her daughter, outlining Julia's will and the message "by the time you see this I'll be dead". Although it looks like a straightforward suicide, Tessa suspects the whole scenario is a scam designed to cover Julia's disappearance.

Guest Cast: Penne Hackforth-Jones as Ena Roth, Kirsty McGregor as Shari Hallifday, Warren Jones as Timothy "Tig" Tigman, Paul Bishop as Mike Olsen, Sue Collie as Julia, David Hayden as Constable Robinson, Alice Livingstone as Flower Seller, Robbi Nicholson as Witness

Heartstopper

Episode 1.16
November 24, 1997
Story by Jennifer Rowe
Screenplay by Cathryn Strickland
Directed by Grant Brown

At the grand opening of the Mayfair Department Store, the store manager is found dead in the window display. Not only do the employees of MayFair, and its owner, start to look suspicious, but the investigation causes Steve to renew acquaintances with Max May, owner of Mayfair, and Suzanne Delacorte, a former lover. Tessa and Steve's professional relationship is strained when Steve is unable to separate his personal feelings from the facts at hand. Tessa is forced to pursue the case alone, and in so doing, must also face some damning evidence against her partner.

Guest Cast: Bob Baines as Max May, Rebecca Hobbs as Suzanne Delacorte, Frank Whitten as Blackie, Nicholas Holland as Bruce Napper, Craig Blair as Jeremy Halverson, Peter Cameron as Glen Weekes, John Andrews as Bomb Squad Leader, Katrina Sklavos as Journo, Stewart Armstrong as Man, Tony Girdler as Waiter, Paul Eastway as Ambulance Officer