The Outcasts was a 1961 Australian television serial. A period drama, it was broadcast live, though with some film inserts.[1] All 12 episodes of the serial survive as kinescope recordings.[2] It was a sequel to Stormy Petrel.[3][4][5]

The Outcasts
Ad from SMH 28 May 1961
Genre	history
Created by	Rex Rienits
Directed by	Colin Dean
Starring	Ron Haddrick
Country of origin	Australia
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	12
Production
Running time	30 mins
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	28 May (1961-05-28) – 10 September 1961 (1961-09-10)
Chronology
Preceded by	Stormy Petrel
Followed by	The Patriots

Plot

The Outcasts told the story of William Redfern and his attempts to build a hospital in Sydney in 1808.

Cast

• Ron Haddrick as William Redfern
• Henry Gilbert as Governor Lachlan Macquarie
• John Gray as Reverend Samuel Marsden
• Neil Fitzpatrick as Martin O'Brien
• Amber Mae Cecil as Sarah Willis/Redfern
• Lyndall Barbour as Mrs Willis
• Frank Waters as Edward Willis
• Ben Gabriel as Dr Jamieson
• Edward Howell as Dr D'Arcy Wentworth
• Margo Lee as Mrs John MacArthur
• Leonard Bullen as JT Campbell
• John Unicomb as H.C. Antill
• Lynne Murphy as Mrs Macquarie
• Walter Sullivan as John MacArthur
• Delia Williams as Mary O'Connell
• Philip Ross as W.C. Wentworth
• Carolyn Keely as Eliza Antill
• James Condon as Maurice O'Connell
• Al Thomas as Francis Greenway
• Jo Coco as Surgeon Bohan
• Madeleine Howell as woman shopper
• Julian Flett as butler
• Stan Polonski
• Sophy Milo
• Patricia Johnson
• Joe Coco
• Les Brooks
• Arthur Jollow
• Alan Graham

Episodes

• Ep 1–28 May (Syd), 25 Jun (Melb) - "The New Governor" - starts in September 1808, when former convict William Redfern is admitted as a surgeon in New South Wales. He helps Governor Macquarie when the latter's wife is pregnant and clashes with Reverend Samuel Marsden. Sarah Willis wishes to marry Redfern.
• Ep 2–4 June (Syd), 2 July (Melb) - "Bond and Free" - Macquarie and Marsden argue over whether to invite Redfern to dinner. The invitation impresses Edward Willis, a wealthy settler who did not approve of Redfern and his daughter.
• Ep 3–11 June (Syd), 9 July (Melb) - "The Vision Grows"
• Ep 4–18 June (Syd), 16 July (Melb) - "Re enter John MacArthur"
• Ep 5–25 June (Syd), 23 July (Melb) - "The System"
• Ep 6–2 July (Syd), 30 July (Melb) - "Barrier Breached" - the Blue Mountains are crossed
• Ep 7–9 July (Syd), 6 Aug (Melb) - "Another Lachlan" - a son for Governor Macquarie is born
• Ep 8–16 July (Syd), 13 Aug (Melb) - "The Trouble Makers" - Redfern and Sarah move into their new hospital.
• Ep 9–23 July (Syd), 20 Aug (Melb) - "The Exile's Return" - MacArthur Returns to the Colony.
• Ep 10–30 July (Syd) 27 Aug (Melb) - "The Showdown" - Macquarie's Administration Investigated
• Ep 11–6 August (Syd), 3 Sept (Melb) "The Final Challenge" - Gilbert's Appointment Opposed.
• Ep 12 - 13 Aug (Syd) 10 Sept (Melb) - "Victory"

Production

Stormy Petrel, written by Rex Rienits and Colin Dean, had been a big success for the ABC. In November 1960 it was announced Dean and Rienits would reunite for a serial about William Redfern.[6]

In March 1961 Dean said "it has not quite the clear, dramatic line of 'Stormy Petrel'. It involves more people, and although it lacks the central issue of the rebellion, much more happens in 'The Outcasts,' which covers from 1808 to 1822. 'The Outcasts' illustrates the change in the colony — Macquarie's policy of building up a settlement rather than administering it as a penal colony."[7]

There was a cast of 42.[7] A huge set was built to replicate George Street.[8] Star Ron Haddrick was best known for his theatre work at the time.[9]

Reception

Reviewing the pilot episode the Sunday Sydney Morning Herald said "ABN 2 looks as though its done it again... I would say that it has another winner and one that might outclass its predecessor...It hasn't yet got as strong a central figure as Bligh... but, on the other hand , it set the pace and established the theme much more rapidly than the Bligh series which was a little slow to develop."[10]

The Woman's Weekly said the story "seems closer to present-day Australia in its lasting effects than the Bligh rebellion, with its high life at Government House, its turbulence, and its drama. "The Outcasts" is a quieter story, made up of more of the everyday events of life... "The Outcasts" is interesting and excellent TV. I know I'll make great efforts not to miss an episode."[11]

The Bulletin said "For those who like their historical drama presented in the Alfred Dampier manner, with shouting, weeping, oppression of the weak, all the characters pure-white or pure-black in morals and the dialogue scissored out of volumes seven to ten of the “Historical Records of Australia,” the series is good, clean fun. But viewers should not take them as historical gospel."[12]

Sequel

In January 1962 the ABC announced there would be a third series, making it a historical trilogy. It would focus on Darling versus Wentworth.[13]

References

External links

• The Outcasts at IMDb