Criminals, Cops and the Country: Television Drama, Telefeature, Mini-Series and Short Run Series Nominees.
Criminals, cops and the country have inspired the program-makers behind this year’s Best Television Drama Series and Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series nominees.
On the beat…
Melbourne's infamous gangland killings are jolted back to life in Best Television Drama Series nominee Underbelly. Based on real-life events, the series, which was produced by Screentime for the Nine Network, depicts the rise and fall of convicted drug trafficker and killer Carl Williams.
Memorable portrayals of Williams and his wife Roberta have earned Gyton Grantley and Kat Stewart nominations for Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama.
The role of Williams’ associate, Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin has earned Damian Walshe-Howling a Best Guest/Supporting Actor in Television Drama nomination alongside Vince Colosimo for his volatile depiction of the ‘Black Prince of Lygon Street’, Alphonse Gangitano.
Writer Peter Gawler is nominated for Best Screenplay in Television for penning the episode in which Alphonse Gangitano is shot dead, while director, Peter Andrikidis, has been nominated for Best Direction in Television for episode 7, which focuses on women in the underworld. The depiction of one these women, Danielle McGuire, has attracted yet another nomination – Best Guest/Supporting Actress for Madeleine West.
Preventing crime rather than catching criminals is the aim of the mobile police unit in Rush, another Best Television Drama Series nominee.
Callan Mulvey, who played career criminal Mark Moran in Underbelly has been rewarded for turning to the law in Rush, with his portrayal of Sergeant Brendan Joshua making him a Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama nominee.
Produced by John Edwards and Mimi Butler, whose combined credits include The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way, and Forensic Investigators, the fast-paced series airs on Network Ten.
Investigating murders is the focus of Best Television Drama Series nominee, the Seven Network’s City Homicide.
Told through the eyes of four young detectives the series includes a host of guest performances including Amanda Muggleton, whose appearance as Cathy Booth has gained her a nomination as Best Guest/Supporting Actress.
East West 101, the story of two detectives, one a Muslim, the other a racist Anglo-Australian, is a nominee for Best Telefeature, Mini Series Or Short Run Series.
Kris Wyld and Steve Knapman produced the six-part mini series for SBS. Wyld has also received a Best Screenplay in Television nomination for writing the second episode. Peter Andikidis directed the series and his work has earned him a second nomination for the Best Direction in Television award (along with one for his work on Underbelly).
Actors Don Hany and William McInnes who play the opposing detectives, Zane Malik and Sergeant Ray Crowley, have both been acknowledged with Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama nominations. McInnes is also nominated in the feature film category – for Best Lead Actor in Unfinished Sky.
Don Hany’s real-life father, Toffeek ‘Taffy’ Hany, plays the role of Zane Malik’s brain injured dad, Rahman Malik. A professionally trained musician, Taffy had not acted before being cast on the series. We may, however, being seeing more of Taffy on our screens as his performance has earned him a nomination for Best Guest/Supporting Actor in Television.
Between the sheets…
Above the law but below social mores is the sexually revealing Satisfaction, another Best Television Drama Series nominee.
Set in and around an up-market city brothel, the Showtime production which premeired on Foxtel, reveals the world of five high-class escorts as they juggle the pressures of their private lives with their secret profession.
Actress Diana Glenn portrays a conflicted single mother who tells her daughter she works in a casino, while Alison Whyte plays a rich divorcee who takes up the profession in a quest for self-discovery. These performances have earned Glenn and Whyte nominations for Best Lead Actress in Television Drama. Director Daina Reid has also been nominated for Best Direction in Television her work in Episode 5 of the series.
Meanwhile, in the country…
Far from the temptations of the city is Valentines Day, another Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series nominee.
The 99 minute telefeature tells the story of Ben Valentine, played by Rhys Muldoon, who finds himself stuck in a small, Victorian country town where he is forced to coach a "no-hoper" football team. Produced by Peter Duncan of December Films, Valentines Day was written by acclaimed novelist Peter Temple and screened on ABC TV.
The sun-parched South Australian countryside sets a beautiful but barren backdrop for Rain Shadow, another Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series nominee.
The six-part series tells the story of a district vet, played by Rachel Ward, who is battling to keep her community afloat in the face of an unrelenting drought. Illuminating the life of Australian dry-land farmers, the series was produced by Southern Star Entertainment for ABC TV.
A rich, city-woman is forced to make the trip back to her tiny hometown in Bed of Roses, also a nominee for Best Telefeature, Mini Series or Short Run Series.
Bed of Roses features new-comer Hanna Mangan-Lawrence (as daughter Holly) alongside veterans Kerry Armstrong (as mother Louisa) and Julia Blake (as grandmother Minna). The combination of good company and natural talent has paid off for Mangan-Lawrence who has received a Best Guest or Supporting Actress in Television Drama nomination for her role.
Watch the Nominees:
Bed of Roses - Available on DVD at ABC Shop and other retailers
City Homicide - Screening: Mondays 8.30pm Channel 7
East West 101 - Available on DVD through Madman Entertainment
Rain Shadow - Available on DVD through Roadshow Entertainment.
Rush - Screening: Tuesdays 9:30 pm, Network Ten
Satisfaction - Available on DVD through Magna
Underbelly - Uncut and Uncut: Limited Edition available on DVD from 6 November 2008 but NOT AVAILABLE for sale to Victorian customers, through Roadshow Entertainment
Valentines Day - Available on DVD through Roadshow at ABC shops.
Click through to read about the other Television Nominees:
For Television Comedy and Light Entertainment Series click here
For Children’s Television Drama click here
A full list of the television nominees can be found here.