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State Coroner: episode guide

Series One | Series Two

Starting With A Bang

Episodes 1 & 2 (Telemovie pilot)
August 14, 1997
Written by Michael Harvey
Directed by Paul Maloney

A new drama series about the people who investigate the circumstances surrounding accidental, unnecessary or unexplained deaths. On her first day as State Coroner, Kate Ferrari faces a Government Security Agency bombing, three kids killed in a head-on, a male Deputy Coroner, Clive Trimble, who wants her job, and a marriage in crisis.

Guest Starring: Steve Vidler as Salmon, Robert Grubb as Hugh Ferrari, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Nick Carrafa as George Cardillo, Elise McCredie as Sharon Rile, Kristian Pithie as Paul Weiss, Alan Dale as Dudley Mills, Peter Hosking as Provis, Paul Cronin as Ted Ames, Anni Finsterer as Daria Bond, Will Gluth as Ian Turley, Jerome Pride as Roly Fox, Doug Bowles as Des Mavic, David Treddinnick as Max, Wilhelmina Stracke as Chubb, Richard Moss as Gascoyne, Stephen Curry as Vin Parry, Terrie Waddell as Feldman, Christopher Milne as Bryce Hall, Gregory Carroll as Mr Lee, Mark Wilson as Jaz Helm
Also appearing: Kevin Summers, Neil Pigot, Paul Glen, Mickey Camilleri

A Bit of Asthma

Episode 03
August 21, 1997
Written by Michael Harvey and Bill Garner
Directed by Robert Klenner

State Coroner, Kate Ferarri investigates the death of a four-year-old asthmatic who dies in a hospital casualty department from uncertain causes, putting Pathologist, Julie Travers under professional pressure. Deputy Coroner, Clive Trimble is intrigued when a sixty-year-old's corpse from the country is not what it seems. Sergeant Dermot McLeod joins the team.

Guest Starring: Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Alan Dale as Dudley Mills, Alfredo Nicdao as Trevor Li, Clarissa House as Beth Dale, David Reyne as Brian Dale, Matthew Kerr as Zac Dale, Bradley Hulme as Wayne Hanson, Graham Jahne as Ambo #1, John Arnold as Dr Ross, Marie Louise Walker as Dr Egan, Richard Moss as Gascoyne, Alex Pinder as Dr Godfrey Singh, Joanne McDonnell as Nurse #1, Marita Wilcox as Nurse #2, Alexandra Samuleno as Rachel, Szumai Anderson as Pedestrian

The Price of Success

Episode 04
Written by Deborah Parsons
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Kate Ferarri investigates a high-profile television journalist's unexplained death by drowning. Clive Trimble inquires into a teenage boy's seeming accidental death while painting graffiti in a deserted warehouse. Sergeant McLeod is joined by Senior Constable Liz Mason and strikes personal problems. Kate and her husband attempt a reconciliation.

Guest Starring: Jennifer Botica as Liz Mason, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Robert Grubb as Hugh Ferrari, Madja Kostich as Janet Wells, Michael Muntz as David Fawkes, Helen Tripp as Yvonne Wells, Marcus Eyre as Glenn Hillcote, Nathan Boskay as Dusan Cesnic, Christopher Chapman as Marci Cesnic, Robert Ruggiero as Charlie Cesnic, Daniel Haritos as Harley, Kymara Stowers as Angela, Barry Main as Kevin Roberts, Alison Peters as Tammy Fawkes, Benjamin Kermode as Gang member, Jim Russell as Local CI, Bridget Haylock as Constable #1, Leo Faust as Constable #2, Barry James as Len Bishop, Michela Rupena as Leonard, Paul Dawber as Lazarvic, Christin Daniel as Spiteri, Alan Docker as Awards Venue Manager, Tim Bell as Dr John Kendall, Billy Vasilakis as Lincoln

Coming to Grief

Episode 05
Written by Graham Hartley
Directed by Chris Thomson

Kate Ferarri investigates the death of a young bridegroom, the innocent victim of a high-speed police pursuit of a kid in a stolen car, causing the Attorney General to clash with the Police Minister. Clive Trimble finds a routine house fire, involving an elderly Italian woman, is more complicated than first thought. Senior Coroner's Clerk, George Cardillo finds a new role as an interpreter.

With: Martin Jacobs as Frank Kelso
Guest Starring: Jennifer Botica as Liz Mason, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Alan Dale as Dudley Mills, Peter Hosking as Phil Daly, Jerome Pride as Roly Fox, Richard Moss as Gascoyne, Shane Willey as Billy Davidson, Renai Caruso as Jo Zammit, David Lithgow as Athol Green, Barry Laing as Glen Tobias, Ann Burbrook as Michelle Evans, Michael O'Malley as Adrian Hicks, John Bishop as Dean, Osvaldo Maione as Tucci, Sarah Woods as Linda Rowan, Geoff Parry as Eric Goodman

Final Approach

Episode 06
Written by John Reeves
Directed by Chris Thomson

A young pilot vainly tries to save his passengers, after crash landing as a result of faulty instruments. Trimble receives a tip-off that the body of a long-missing criminal may be buried under a concrete pour. Kate discovers a small lump in her breast. Liz and Julie clash over an error at work.

Guest Starring: Jennifer Botica as Liz Mason, Anthony Engelman as Jason Bergman, Kate Atkinson as Ilana Summers, Alan Hopgood as Keith Summers, Stuart Fenton as Rodney Summers, John Powell as Howard Tootell, Timothy Sullivan as Ron Croft, Chris Connelly as Dick Ingram, Megan Rees as Catherine Muscat, Victoria Eagger as Lynette McKechnie, Max Fairchild as Jack Sweeney, Sullivan Stapleton as Darren Pyke, Hannah Barry as Kirsty Bickle, Damien Pree as Local Constable, Ian Pearce as Doctor, Libby Sandy as Nurse, Christopher Lee as Media, Tom Hutchins as Young Buck

Shortcut To Death

Episode 07
Written by Bill Garner
Directed by Ian Gilmour

Kate investigates the death of a fork-lift driver at a firm with a dubious safety record. Trimble hears the case of a fiercely-independent young woman with cerebral palsy, who died while taking a bath. Kate has her breast-lump removed and anxiously awaits analysis. McLeod and Liz's relationship re-ignites.

Guest Starring: Jennifer Botica as Liz Mason, Peter Hardy as Gary Turrell, Adriano Cortese as Joe Mezzasalma, Sergio Tell as Alex Corso, Ernie Gray as Dr Ron Wickens, Irini Pappas as Helen Corso, Steady Eddie as Michael Trigg, Sue Jones as Valerie Lowe, Merridy Eastman as Rae Wilson, Mark Pegler as Michael Dureau, Andrea Swifte as Christine Hallas, Dennis Coard as Ron Sheldrick, Louise Miller as Carer, Laurie Dobson as Jack Trimble

Partings

Episode 08
Written by Patrick Edgeworth
Directed by Ian Watson

Sharon has to deal with her own emotions when Trimble investigates the death of a former boyfriend, killed in a motorbike accident. Kate and McLeod are confronted by a woman, concerned by the premature death of her terminally-ill sister hospitalised with Motor Neurone Disease. Kate tells Hugh she wants a divorce.

Guest Starring: Don Bridges as Reg Sweetman, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Alfred Nicdao as Trevor Li, Gerald Lepkowski, Natasha Herbert, Heather Bolton, Jenny Seedsman, Bruce Hughes, Christopher Ulhmann, John Higginson

A Question of Experience

Episode 09
Written by Mandy Brown
Directed by Ian Watson

Paul faces a moral dilemma when he discovers that he knows a leading witness in Kate's inquest into the death of a young student, who dies after a school bush-walking party. Trimble looks into a fatal night-club bashing recorded on a security video. Liz queries Julie's expert evidence. Trimble gets a greyhound tip from Reg.

Guest Starring: Don Bridges as Reg Sweetman, Alfred Nicdao as Trevor Li, John Atkinson as Dylan McQuarie, Tee O'Neill as Gail McQuarie, Phil Sumner as Phillip Dale, Anita Hegh as Jodie Zelko, Christopher Lyons as Sam Trainer, Jennifer Jarman-Walker as Betsy Trainer, Casey Walker as Emma Parsons, Rosemary Johns as Mrs Parsons, Alex Menglet as Jim Vanderburg, Christopher Stevenson as Sgt Dreyfuss, Gregory Ulfan as Boris

Truth & Circumstance (Part One)

Episode 10
Written by Barbara Bishop
Directed by Robert Klenner

Despite opposition from a Federal Drugs Agency, Kate investigates the death of a young woman whose brother claims she was driven to suicide because of her complicity in a cocaine ring. Kelso experiences a conflict of loyalties when an old colleague finds himself involved in the inquest. Trimble and George deal with a suspected SIDS baby whose parents resist an autopsy on religious grounds.

With: Martin Jacobs as Frank Kelso
Guest Starring: Richard Moss as Gascoyne, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Don Bridges as Reg Sweetman, Diana Glen as Gillian Gardiner, Phillip Ward as Greg Gardniner, John O'May as Marcus Baines, Maryanne Steele as Sandra Baines, Dino Marnika as Alex Tarsus, Stephen Whittaker as Malcolm Faircross, Steven Jacobs as Karl Devon, Andrew Blackman as Dave Hubbard, Ramez Tabit as Hassan Khan, Sapidah Kian as Farah Khan, John Penman as Nelson
Also Appearing: Bill Charles

Conflict of Interest (Part Two)

Episode 11
Written by Shane Brennan
Directed by Robert Klenner

The fatal police shooting of the main suspect in the previous episode's drugs inquest causes Kate to come into conflict with Kelso, the Government, and her own personal relationships, while Trimble investigates the death of a teenager who fatally falls while being chased by a young constable through a building site.

With: Martin Jacobs as Frank Kelso
Guest Starring: Richard Moss as Gascoyne, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Alan Dale as Dudley Mills, John O'May as Marcus Baines, Dino Marnika as Alex Tarsus, Steven Jacobs as Karl Devon, Andrew Blackman as Dave Hubbard, Eric Mueck as Sgt Grace, Peter Farago as DCI Stanfield, Christine O'Leary as Madeline Gilchrist, Jonathan Brooks as Andrew Demos, Carolyn Bock as Const Helen White, Matthew Barnes as Simon Brady, Duran O'Brien as Troy Arnold, Heather MacQuire as Mrs Arnold, Warwick Begg as Mr Arnold
Also Appearing: James MacAuley, James Ryan

Dance 'Till You Drop

Episode 12
Written by Bill Garner
Directed by Robert Klenner

Kate finds herself questioning her daughter Claire's private life while investigating the suspected ecstasy-linked death of a young law student who collapses after attending a dance-party. Trimble visits the bush with Daniel and Sharon for yet another tragic tractor-death inquest, and finds himself forced to share a country hotel with a female former protagonist.

Guest Starring: Chris Gabardi as Daniel Ferris, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Cameron Nugent as Tim Rice, Amanda Douge as Lee Turkle, Petra Gleison as Sally Landells, Leigh Morgan as Sandra Roe, Rodney Sharpe as Gavin Rose, Stewart Morritt as Guy Gandolf, Sally Cooper as Jean Jenkins, Kane McKay as Dale Jenkins, Darryl Emmerson as Gustav Mensch, Roy Edmunds as Gordon Jenkins, Wilhelmina Stracke as Chubb, Lance Anderson as Farmer, Craig Fisher as Mica #1, Matt Robertson as Mica #2, Margie Bainbridge as Woman

'Till Death Us Do Part

Episode 13
Written by John Coulter
Directed by Colin Budds

Kate has to decide whether to subject the fourteen-year-old sole witness of a domestic murder-suicide to the further ordeal of giving sworn evidence in court. Trimble examines the unexplained death of an elderly pensioner found lying beside the house of a neighbour with whom he has had a bitter twenty year feud.

With: Martin Jacobs as Frank Kelso
Guest Starring: Chris Gabardi as Daniel Ferris, Asher Keddie as Claire Ferrari, Alan Dale as Dudley Mills, Leverne McDonnell as Vicki Bennett, Robert Menzies as Terry Bennett, Gemma Bishop as Megan Bennett, Daniel Daperis as Alex Bennett, Janet Andrewartha as Eileen Hardy, Neil Foley as Colin Fowler, Rob Hornery as Paddy O'Donahue, Jack Perry as Jock Hume, Brenda Addie as Sheila Hume, Genevieve Morris as Helen Lawler, Keith Agius as Constable #1, Grant Ryan as Constable #2

Blood Sport

Episode 14
Written by Shane Brennan
Directed by Colin Budds

Trimble investigates the death of a young boxer who dies in the ring after making a comeback from injury. Julie finds herself opposed to her former pathology boss, retained by a research scientist's widow who believes that her husband's former lover poisoned him. Kelso unexpectedly confides to Kate about his marital problems.

With: Martin Jacobs as Frank Kelso
Guest Starring: Chris Gabardi as Daniel Ferris, Trevor Geary as Simon Remington, Tim Hughes as Noel McCracken, Renaud Jadin as Todd Thurstan, Sheridan Compagnino as Cindy McCracken, Peter Leiss as Dr Peter Wilmott, Rhondda Findleton as Anne Wilmott, Rachel Blakely as Lizbeth Christi, Robert Hughes as Dr Nelson Gray, Robert Forza as Con Kailes, Howard Stanley as Dr Mark Vidor, Alex Papps as Dr Hamish Campbell, Keith Ellis as Referee, Chris Connelly as Ingram

Final Demand

Episode 15
Written by Craig Wilkins
Directed by Colin Budds

McLeod is forced to question his loyalties when a desperate farmer, threatened with repossession, takes a former colleague of McLeod's hostage and is then killed in the ensuing shoot-out. Trimble investigates the discovery of remains which might allow the parents of a missing girl to finally begin grieving. Kelso and Mills clash in a power battle which only one can survive and which has implications for Kate's future.

With: Martin Jacobs as Frank Kelso
Guest Starring: Chris Gabardi as Daniel Ferris, Alan Dale as Dudley Mills, Geoffrey Paine, David Pledger, Tracey Callander, Jim Daly, Kevin Harrington, Stewart Faichney, Valentina Levkowicz