Series synopsis
Rafferty's Rules is an Australian drama crime comedy television series that premiered on Seven Network on February 12, 1987. It ended on August 31, 1990. It was created by Ben Lewin. It stars John Wood, Arky Michael, Simon Chilvers and Catherine Wilkin.
Rafferty's Rules was an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1990 on the Seven Network.
Rafferty's Rules was one of the first programs undertaken by the Seven Network's then new in-house drama unit, going into production in May 1985 as "a 15-part courtroom drama". The program had started out as a pilot episode, recorded in early 1984 with the actor Chris Haywood in the lead role. When the pilot episode was remounted later in 1984, Chris Haywood wasn't available and the lead ...
Premise
Rafferty's Rules was an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1990 on the Seven Network.
Rafferty's Rules was one of the first programs undertaken by the Seven Network's then new in-house drama unit, going into production in May 1985 as "a 15-part courtroom drama". The program had started out as a pilot episode, recorded in early 1984 with the actor Chris Haywood in the lead role. When the pilot episode was remounted later in 1984, Chris Haywood wasn't available and the lead role was re-cast to John Wood. This second recording was eventually broadcast as the program's first episode.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- John Wood as Michael Rafferty
- Arky Michael as Fulvio Frangellomini
- Simon Chilvers as Sgt. Julian Flicker
- Catherine Wilkin as Pauline Grey
- Katy Brinson as Lisa Blake
- Rebecca Rigg as Rebecca Browning
- Maggie Blinco as Bettina Dean
- Myra Campbell as Lady in Gym
Supporting cast
- Ian Cockburn as Dog Owner No. 2
- Judy Ferris as Mrs. Flicker
- Regina Gaigalas as Cathy Reed
- Nancye Hayes as Sheree Martin
- Nadja Kostich as Susan Cole
- Tiffany Lamb as Liz
- Denis Moore as Max Ryder
- Marshall Napier as Alex Reed
- Michael O'Neill as Keith Metcalfe
- Carlo Bianchino as Barman
- Andrew Carlton as Chris Guest
- Vickii Christie as Carol Campbell
Guest cast
- Rebecca Rigg as Rebecca Browning
- Maggie Blinco as Bettina Dean
- Myra Campbell as Lady in Gym
- Ian Cockburn as Dog Owner No. 2
- Judy Ferris as Mrs. Flicker
- Regina Gaigalas as Cathy Reed
- Nancye Hayes as Sheree Martin
- Nadja Kostich as Susan Cole
- Tiffany Lamb as Liz
- Denis Moore as Max Ryder
- Marshall Napier as Alex Reed
- Michael O'Neill as Keith Metcalfe
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 86 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 15 | February 12, 1987 | May 21, 1987 |
| Season 2 | 11 | March 12, 1988 | May 21, 1988 |
| Season 3 | 30 | February 4, 1989 | September 1, 1989 |
| Season 4 | 30 | February 9, 1990 | August 31, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Michael Aloysius Rafferty starts his new job as Stipendiary Magistrate of Manly Local Court. |
February 12, 1987 |
| 2 |
Win Some, Lose Some Rafferty's estranged wife Joanne arrives in Sydney to discuss a few things and he is anxious. Meanwhile, Paulyne has a crisis of conscience when she has to act for a man in an assault case. |
February 19, 1987 |
| 3 |
Truth to Tell Rafferty deals with a young prostitute and U.S. government officials apply to extradite one of their citizens. |
February 26, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Time Out Work pressures get to much for Paulyne and a love affair seems the answer. |
March 12, 1988 |
| 2 |
To the Whistle Flicker's replacement finds he has to play it by Rafferty's rules. |
March 19, 1988 |
| 3 |
Make My Day Double standards are apparent in a case that comes before Rafferty. |
March 26, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nine Tenths of the Law Michael wrestles with the concept of possession after the discovery of Aboriginal remains creates a conflict of ownership between the state and the Indigenous community. |
February 4, 1989 |
| 2 |
Freedom Michael is caught between a rock and a hard place when he is forced to decide the fate of a young boy whose doctors believe is sick, but whose parents are refusing further tests on religious grounds. |
February 11, 1989 |
| 3 |
Those Who Can Fulvio learns that his teacher and idol isn't quite the perfect magistrate that he thought after he takes over when Michael falls ill. |
February 18, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Security Michael sees the law from another perspective after he becomes the key witness in Flicker's prosecution against an arsonist. |
February 9, 1990 |
| 2 |
That Old Black Magic Michael begins to wonder if someone is trying to put a spell on him after a number of suspicious run-ins with a member of a religious commune. |
February 16, 1990 |
| 3 |
The Plague Lisa confronts the prejudices of society when she defends a man with AIDS who has committed an armed robbery in order to ensure his wife's future following his death. |
February 23, 1990 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Seven Network |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 12, 1987 |
| Last aired | August 31, 1990 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |