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While the Men Are Away: episode guide

Get Behind the Girl He Left Behind!

Episode 1
Wed, September 27, 2023 (SBS, 8:30pm)
Written by Kim Wilson
Directed by Elissa Down

It's 1940s Australia and the men are off fighting in World War II. Now, it's the women who suddenly find themselves running the show. Frankie, who is left in charge of her suffering farm, enlists Gwen and Esther, city dwellers who are part of the Women's Land Army, to join herself, local Indigenous farmhand Kathleen, and certified coward Robert on the land. Gwen and Esther soon discover that their limited knowledge of agriculture is the least of their worries.

Starring: Michela De Rossi as Frankie, Max McKenna as Gwen, Phoebe Grainer as Kathleen, Matt Testro as Robert, Jana Zvedeniuk as Esther, Shaka Cook as Murray, Benedict Hardie as Des

With: Ella Scott Lynch as Rita, Bryce Youngman as Harry Whitmore, Sacha Horler as Helen, Di Adams as Mrs Bushell, Sarah Woods as Miss Arnott, Helen Chebatte as Mrs Toohey, Tara Morice as Enid, Damien Thomlinson as Theodore, Olga Olshansky as Eva, Adam Marks as David Kleinberg, Warren Lee as Mr Wong, Olivia Mortimer-Eade as Lynley, Santoz Kumar as Thomas Kingston, Nigel Brown as Acting Mayor #1, Wei (Annabel) Tan as Mrs Wong, Sam Icklow as Levy Brother 1, Scott Thomas as Levy Brother 2, Bruce Weal as Station Master, Brendan Mar as Terry Wong, Daniel Krige as Radio Announcer, Karen De Souza as Radio Margaret [v.o.], James Holbrook as Male Newsreader [v.o.], Stephania Zitis as Barbwire Climber #1, Oscar Mackay as Barbwire Climber #2, Andy Shorten as Cut Surfer #1, Ryan Tinsey as Cut Surfer #2, Adam Dean as Lifesaver #1, Scott Newey as Lifesaver #2, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "New Rocket" performed by Full Flower Moon Band, "Dreamhorse" performed by Workhorse

Furrowing the Fuhrer's Brow!

Episode 2
Wed, September 27, 2023 (9:00pm)
Written by Kim Wilson
Directed by Elissa Down

It's a few weeks later, and it's all hands on-deck trying to protect the apple crop from an insect infestation. Frankie runs into a series of obstacles trying to secure pesticide, highlighting the fact that the men might be away, but the boys club is still alive and well. To add insult to injury, Frankie's denied access to Harry's bank account by Herbie, the 12-year-old acting bank teller, and she can't find the key to Harry's impenetrable money safe.

With: Ella Scott Lynch as Rita, Di Adams as Mrs Bushell, Sarah Woods as Miss Arnott, Helen Chebatte as Mrs Toohey, Daniel Krige as Pesticide Pete, Evan Stanhope as Herbie, Mercia Deane-Johns as Mrs Whitmore, Molly Grigg as Coral, Dr Nigel Brown as Mayor, Warren Lee as Mr Wong, Wei (Annabel) Tan as Mrs Wong, Georgie Blackwell as Intoxicated WAAAF Woman, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "Health" performed by Parsnip, "When You See Me" performed by Wet Lips, "Gavotte in G" performed by Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra

God Speed the Plough and the Woman Who Drives It!

Episode 3
Wed, October 04, 2023 (8:30pm)
Written by Magda Wozniak
Directed by Elissa Down

Having retrieved the key to Harry's strong box, Frankie finally has access to money. Gwen and Esther are amazed to finally receive an income in exchange for their labour. Just like a man! Normally Harry's domain, Frankie doles out the wages instead, and for the first time, Kathleen receives her payment alongside the others. Seeing her paid in rations and a handful of coins highlights the vast inequalities between them, and makes everyone deeply uncomfortable.

With: Sacha Horler as Helen, Katrina Foster as Toni, Jackson Heywood as Dickie, Zavier Morris as Homer, Googoorewon Knox as Neville, Warren Lee as Mr Wong, Thomas Rich as Telegram Boy, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "From Eden" performed by Hozier

She Talked! This Happened!

Episode 4
Wed, October 04, 2023 (9:00pm)
Written by Enoch Mailangi
Directed by Elissa Down

Esther has uncovered a dead body in the freshly ploughed field and tells Gwen. They're interrupted by Frankie and Kathleen who admit the corpse is Harry - they hid his death in a farming accident in order to keep possession of the farm. Given that Australia is at war with Italy, Frankie is currently an enemy of the Empire and the farm would go to Harry's insufferable brother, Des. Harry's death also meant Kathleen was at risk of being shipped away for work.

With: Tara Morice as Enid, Zavier Morris as Homer, Evan Stanhope as Herbie, Bryce Youngman as Harry Whitmore/Goat, Di Adams as Mrs Bushell, Sarah Woods as Miss Arnott, Helen Chebatte as Mrs Toohey, Mercia Deane-Johns as Mrs Whitmore, Katrina Foster as Toni, Chris O'Mallon as Earl, Tony Llewellyn-Jones as Mr Flanders, Warren Lee as Mr Wong, Wei (Annabel) Tan as Mrs Wong, Benjamin Wang as Reg POW Guard, Karen De Souza as Radio Margaret [v.o.], Nicole Kelly as June, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double, Jono Watts as Harry Stunt Double

Music: "Nana Bobo" performed by Michela De Rossi, "Never Played the Game" performed by Harmony Byrne

Come and Join the Victory Harvest!

Episode 5
Wed, October 11, 2023 (8:30pm)
Written by Monica Zanetti
Directed by Elissa Down

Des presides over the opening of the Whitmore Prisoner of War camp, which means jobs and growth for the community! The opening coincides with the harvesting of the apples. It's a big job and extra recruits from the Women's Land Army arrive to help out, accompanied by their matron chaperone. When they move into Gwen and Esther's hut, Gwen assumes she'll be bunking in with Frankie.

With: Googoorewon Knox as Neville, Zavier Morris as Homer, Gemma Ward as Sadie, Rebecca Massey as Brigadier Birdwood, Anna Skellern as Dora, Jing-Xuan Chan as Violet, Tara Morice as Enid, Di Adams as Mrs Bushell, Helen Chebatte as Mrs Toohey, Mercia Deane-Johns as Mrs Whitmore, Katrina Foster as Toni, Tony Llewellyn-Jones as Mr Flanders, Benjamin Wang as Reg POW Guard, Karen De Souza as Radio Margaret [v.o.], Dan Lee Knight as Hot Jesus, Maddison Coluccio as Daniella, Matthieu Nyssen as Italian Boy, Bruno Attanasio as Italian Husband, John Bonaventura as Italian Father, Maria De Marco as Italian Mother, Tareq Alashi as Italian Baby, Hebah Al Halabi as Italian Woman, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "School in Over" performed by The Bell Sisters, "Dinky Di" original lyrics by members of the AWLA Home Hill QLD based on a traditional work

Catch Him with His Panzers Down!

Episode 6
Wed, October 11, 2023 (9:00pm)
Written by Sam Icklow
Directed by Elissa Down

It's several weeks later. With the help of the others, Frankie has managed to avoid Des, but he finally catches up with her in the local cinema. As the bombing of Darwin continues, Des launches his own strike. Embarrassed about physically assaulting Frankie, Des is determined to move onto the farm to help Frankie and also send those Women's Land Army girls packing.

With: Googoorewon Knox as Neville, Zavier Morris as Homer, Evan Stanhope as Herbie, Di Adams as Mrs Bushell, Sarah Woods as Mrs Arnott, Helen Chebatte as Mrs Toohey, Mercia Deane-Johns as Mrs Whitmore, Tony Llewellyn-Jones as Mr Flanders, Katrina Foster as Toni, Chris O'Mallon as Earl, Warren Lee as Mr Wong, Daniel Krige as Pesticide Pete, Benjamin Wang as Reg POW Guard, Thomas Rich as Telegram Boy, James Holbrook as Cinema Announcer [v.o.], Maddison Musumeci as Candy Girl, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "Native Tongue" performed by Mo'Ju

We've Always Despised Them, Now We Must Smash Them!

Episode 7
Wed, October 18, 2023 (8:30pm)
Written by Kim Wilson
Directed by Monica Zanetti

Kathleen is desperate to find her family but is talked around by Frankie. After an escape from the Prisoner of War camp, a lockdown is declared and no one is allowed to leave their properties — which means everyone parties like the world might end.

With: Googoorewon Knox as Neville, Zavier Morris as Homer, Benjamin Wang as Reg POW Guard, Sam O'Dell as Sergeant McGuinness, Thomas Rich as Telegram Boy, James Holbrook as Radio Play Actor #1 [v.o.], James Holbrook as Radio Play Actor #2 [v.o.], Elissa Down as Radio Play Actor #3 [v.o.], Karen De Souza as Radio Margaret [v.o.], Maddison Coluccio as Daniella, Tareq Alashi as Italian Baby, Maria De Marco as Italian Mother, John Bonaventura as Italian Father, Bruno Attanasio as Italian Husband, Hebah Halabi as Frankie's Sister, Michelle Brown as Kathleen's Mother, Thomas Piccinelli as Singing Mario [v.o.], Thomas Italiano as Stunt Performer - Asylum Staff #1, Blake Connor as Stunt Performer - Asylum Staff #2, Mike Duncan as Stunt Performer - Thug #1, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "Cranekiss" performed by Tamaryn

We Took the Hill, Come Help Us Keep It!

Episode 8
Wed, October 18, 2023 (9:00pm)
Written by Kim Wilson
Directed by Elissa Down

Lockdown has ended. Winter is coming. Des arrives to take over their lucrative brandy production. He's unprepared for the hostile reception he gets, accused of organising the thugs that invaded the farm. As the war creeps closer, the group struggle to hold onto their collective dream. They're all forever changed by their time together and the knowledge that they're not alone.

With: Googoorewon Knox as Neville, Zavier Morris as Homer, Sacha Horler as Helen, Tara Morice as Enid, Di Adams as Mrs Bushell, Sarah Woods as Mrs Arnott, Helen Chebatte as Mrs Toohey, Katrina Foster as Toni, Chris O'Mallon as Earl, Evan Stanhope as Herbie, Gemma Ward as Sadie, Rebecca Massey as Brigadier Birdwood, Anna Skellern as Dora, Jing-Xuan Chan as Violet, Warren Lee as Mr Wong, Wei (Annabel) Tan as Mrs Wong, Benjamin Wang as Reg POW Guard, Sam O'Dell as Sergeant McGuinness, Olga Olshansky as Eva, Thomas Rich as Telegram Boy, Adam Marks as David Kleinburg, Santoz Kumar as Thomas Kingston, Campbell Simpson as Barrack Soldier, Jackie Murray as Frankie Stunt Double, Tabitha Law as Gwen Stunt Double

Music: "Standing In The Way of Control" performed by Gossip