A Place to Call Home (TV series)

A Place to Call Home
Genre Period drama
Created by Bevan Lee
Starring
Composer(s) Michael Yezerski
Country of origin Australia
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 45 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • John Holmes
  • Julie McGauran
  • Penny Win
Producer(s) Chris Martin-Jones
Location(s) Camelot (Ash Park) (34° 2'15.09"S 150°42'22.30"E)
Camden and Southern Highlands (Inverness)
Cinematography John Stokes
Running time 42–45 minutes
Production company(s) Seven Productions
Distributor Endemol
Release
Original network Seven Network (2013–14)
SoHo (2015)
Showcase (2016–)
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
Audio format Stereo
Original release 28 April 2013 (2013-04-28) – present
External links
Website

A Place to Call Home is an Australian television drama series that debuted on the Seven Network on Sunday 28 April 2013.[1] Set in rural New South Wales in the period following the Second World War, it follows Sarah Adams (Marta Dusseldorp), who has returned to Australia after twenty years abroad to start a new life and ends up clashing with wealthy matriarch Elizabeth Bligh (Noni Hazlehurst). The main cast also consists of Brett Climo (George Bligh), Craig Hall (Dr. Jack Duncan), David Berry (James Bligh), Abby Earl (Anna Poletti), Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood (Olivia Bligh), Aldo Mignone (Gino Poletti), Sara Wiseman (Carolyn Bligh), Jenni Baird as (Regina Bligh) and Frankie J. Holden (Roy Briggs).

It was created by Bevan Lee and has been described as a "compelling melodrama about love and loss set against the social change of the 1950s".[2]

Production

Development for A Place to Call Home began after Bevan Lee completed his "domestic trilogy" (Always Greener, Packed to the Rafters and Winners & Losers).[3] He took inspiration from film director Douglas Sirk's 1950s films such as Written on the Wind (1956) and All That Heaven Allows (1955).[4] Lee told The Age that he wanted to create a romance-driven melodrama based in the 1950s because people's lives in the present are "relatively bland". He said: "At the end of the day, conflict is drama and we live in relatively conflict-free society. I had to go to a place where there was pain and damage and hurt; after the war there was."[5] The script is co-written by Lee and Trent Atkinson.[6]

Noni Hazlehurst (Elizabeth Bligh) was the first cast member to be announced for A Place to Call Home, on 18 June 2012.[7] Marta Dusseldorp (Sarah Adams), Brett Climo (George Bligh) and Frankie J. Holden (Roy Briggs) were announced a month later, with Dusseldorp leading the overall cast.[8] Newcomers David Berry (James Bligh), Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood (Olivia Bligh), Abby Earl (Anna Bligh) and Aldo Mignone (Gino Poletti), made up the rest of the main cast.[9]

A Place to Call Home is set in both the fictional estate Ash Park and the town of Inverness in country New South Wales.[10] Camden and the Southern Highlands in New South Wales serves as the backdrop for Inverness. Ash Park is actually Camelot, a heritage-listed property located at Kirkham, on the outskirts of Camden.[1][11][12] Filming for the first season began on 9 July 2012 and concluded on 12 December 2012.[13] Season one was shot on a Sony F65 camera, becoming the first Australian television production to do so.[14]

In June 2013, Erin McWhirter from TV Week announced that A Place to Call Home had been renewed for another season. Abby Earl told McWhirter, "We're locked in pre-production in August and then we start filming in September, so there's plenty of time for me to get back in Anna's shoes." [15] The second season started on 11 May 2014 and concluded on 13 July 2014.

TV Week confirmed that a third season had been commissioned.[16] However, one month later, the magazine reported that Channel Seven had passed on the option to renew the series and had recently told the cast and crew they wouldn't be required for a third season.[17]

On 15 October 2014, it was announced that Foxtel had finalised a deal with Channel Seven that would see a third season written by Bevan Lee, produced by Seven Productions, but aired on Foxtel.[18] On 25 October 2014, The Daily Telegraph announced that A Place to Call Home was renewed for another two seasons and would return in late 2015, airing on Foxtel channel, SoHo. It was also announced that all the original cast & crew members would return.[19]

On 16 August 2015 it was announced via the official Facebook page that Season 3 would premiere on Sunday 27 September 2015 at 8:30pm on the Foxtel channel, SoHo.

Season 4 premiered on Foxtel's Showcase channel on Sunday 11th September 2016.

Season 5 was announced by Foxtel on 16 November 2016. The timeline of Season 5 will skip ahead from 1954 to the year 1958. A Place to Call Home will resume filming in February 2017.

Cast and characters

Regular

  • Marta Dusseldorp as Sarah Adams, the daughter of a strictly religious Catholic woman who walked out of her family to be with the Jewish man she loved and adopt his faith. However, when she returns to Australia, a new life awaits her when she comes to work for the local hospital near the Bligh family, whom she met while serving as a nurse on the ship taking them all back to Australia from Europe. She finds her husband to be alive following World War 2 and her life again hits the rocks.[20]
  • Noni Hazlehurst as Elizabeth Bligh, the matriarch of the Bligh family. She is at first rude and cruel to Sarah, but she changes over time and later in the series leaves for Sydney to live with her daughter Carolyn to become a better person.[20]
  • Brett Climo as Elizabeth's son, George Bligh, the good-hearted man who takes Sarah under his wing and sweeps her off her feet. He is widower of Elaine; at the beginning of the series, he appears to be father to James and Anna, although over time it emerges that Anna is actually a child of his sister Carolyn and friend Jack, taken in by George and Elaine to spare Carolyn any scandal.[20]
  • Craig Hall as Jack Duncan, lover of Carolyn and facing many problems in his work as a doctor in a hospital run by the Bligh family. He is a genuine person despite his problems and would do anything to help others.[20]
  • David Berry as James Bligh, the only son of George and Elaine but he grows up oblivious to his "sister" Anna's true history. He faces problems when he is found to be gay and tries to commit suicide. He is horrified with Olivia when she cheats on him. He feels betrayed by Olivia, but returns to Ash Park to live for his son.[20]
  • Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood as Olivia Bligh, James' wife, a newlywed at the start of the series. Olivia is from England. She continues to grow angry toward James but does try to come to terms with his "condition".[20]
  • Abby Earl as Anna Bligh (later Poletti), the rebel child of Carolyn and Jack, raised believing she was daughter of George and Elaine. Anna marries a farmer, Gino, after much battle with the Bligh family. However the marriage faces the rocks when Gino goes into debt.[20]
  • Aldo Mignone as Gino Poletti, the Italian dreamboat who has set Anna's heart on fire. A typical farmer, he has a real passion for farming and keeping everybody happy.[20]
  • Sara Wiseman as Carolyn Bligh. Much like Anna, Carolyn was the rebel child of her time and as stated by Elizabeth, for a long time gave up on her relationship with the family. It is revealed that Anna is Carolyn's daughter and that George and Elaine took her in to avoid scandal. Carolyn finally tells Anna, but worries of her reaction. Anna is overjoyed, saying she always loved Carolyn. Later on Carolyn works for Sir Richard but does end up with problems beyond her daughter's.[20]
  • Frankie J. Holden as Roy Briggs, Roy is a kindly farmer on the field of Inverness. He is very kind toward Sarah from the second she arrives in Australia, he takes her into his small home and constantly supports her.[20]
  • Jenni Baird as Regina Standish, the extremely wealthy sister of George's late wife, Elaine. However, despite being similar in wealth, Regina and Elaine are opposites as Regina is cold, bitter, and scheming; she despises Jews and shows religious intolerance toward Sarah only after learning of her religion. Regina has her sights set on the widowed George and goes to extreme lengths to attempt to achieve her goals no matter the consequences.[20]

Recurring

  • Deborah Kennedy as Doris Collins, Doris is the most infamous member of the Inverness village. Although she means well her gossip ways can make her seem rude and makes Sarah dislike her at first. But over the time she stays in Inverness the two grow close and Sarah finds her helpful as she always knows who has done what in the village.
  • Heather Mitchell as Prudence Swanson, the wealthy friend of Elizabeth. Prudence is always involving herself with Elizabeth whenever she is in Sydney. Being an upper class person in Sydney she is very aristocratic and looks down her nose to Sarah when she arrives for a garden party to celebrate Dame Patty's appointment.
  • Dina Panozzo as Carla Poletti, the mother of Gino. She is very critical of the relationship with Anna and her son saying that it will never work because of Anna's status but when George accepts she does also.
  • Krew Boylan and Amy Mathews as Amy Polson, the maid of the Bligh household. When Regina works out that James is gay she tricks Amy into telling her, this forces Elizabeth to fire Amy with great sorrow.
  • Angelo D'Angelo as Amo Poletti
  • Jacinta Acevski as Alma Grey
  • Dominic Allburn as Harry Polson, Amy's brother and James's admirer.
  • Scott Grimley as Norman Parker (driver)
  • Michael Sheasby as Bert Ford, the first enemy of the series.
  • Ben Winspear as Dr. René Nordmann, the key to Sarah's happiness.
  • Tim Draxl as Dr. Henry Fox, George's Sydney-based physician, who eventually falls for James.
  • Rick Donald as Lloyd Ellis-Parker, an artist who gives Olivia exactly what she wants.

Broadcast

Series overview
SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedOzTAM ratings
First airedLast airedNetworkRankAverage viewership
11328 April 2013 (2013-04-28)21 July 2013 (2013-07-21)Seven Network8[21]1,480,000[21]
21011 May 2014 (2014-05-11)13 July 2014 (2014-07-13)7[22]1,150,000[22]
31027 September 2015 (2015-09-27)29 November 2015 (2015-11-29)SoHo2168,000
412[23]11 September 2016[23]27 November 2016Showcase[23]TBATBA

When Seven Network revealed its new television series lineup for 2012, A Place to Call Home was mentioned alongside other titles.[24] Seven Network's Angus Ross said that it would potentially premiere in late 2012, but wouldn't rush the show to air by a certain date unless "casting and other elements" were right.[25] The first season of A Place to Call Home consisted of thirteen episodes.[5] The pilot episode was originally broadcast on 28 April 2013, in the 8:30 pm time slot (previously occupied by Downton Abbey).[1]

Reception

Awards and nominations

Australian Cinematographers Society Awards
Year Category Nominee(s) Episode(s) Result Ref
2014 Telefeatures, TV Drama & Mini Series Award of Distinction John Stokes Season 1, Episode 9: "Cane Toad" Won [26]
Equity Ensemble Awards
Year Category Nominee(s) Episode(s) Result Ref
2014 Most Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Cast Season 1 Nominated [27]
Logie Awards
Year Category Nominee Episode(s) Result Ref
2014 Most Outstanding Drama Series N/A N/A Nominated [28]
Most Popular Actress Marta Dusseldorp N/A Nominated
Most Popular New Talent Abby Earl N/A Nominated
2016 Best Actress Marta Dusseldorp N/A Nominated [29]
Most Outstanding Supporting Actor David Berry N/A Nominated
Most Outstanding Supporting Actress Jenni Baird N/A Nominated
Best Drama Program N/A N/A Nominated
Most Outstanding Drama Series N/A N/A Nominated

International

Shortly after airing in Australia A Place to Call Home started broadcasting on TV One in New Zealand in the Sundays 8.30pm slot, moving later to 9.40 pm. The second season finale was aired on 26 October 2014.[30]

The first season began airing in Denmark on DR1 in March 2014. The show airs under the Danish title En Ny Begyndelse, which roughly translates to A New Beginning. In other Nordic countries the show has been aired in Finland by the national broadcasting company's TV channel Yle TV1. The show airs under the Finnish title "Kotiin takaisin", which roughly translates to "Back to home".

Series one and two began airing on BBC2 in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2014 and series three on 25 February 2016.[31]

The show also airs in Israel on Yes Drama under the title מקום בלב, which translates to A Place in the Heart.

In the Netherlands the series airs too on MAX (npo2).

The first three seasons are available for streaming in the U.S. on Acorn.TV. They also air on select PBS stations.

In Croatia the show airs on HRT under the title Mjesto koje zovem dom, which translates to A Place That I Call Home.

Home media

Title Set details Blu-ray and DVD release dates Special features
Region 1[32] Region 2[33] Region B and 4[34]
A Place to Call Home — Season 1 3 March 2015 23 February 2015 8 August 2013
  • Interviews with the Cast
A Place to Call Home — Season 2 30 June 2015 23 February 2015 17 July 2014
  • Interviews
  • Young to Old: Sarah's Transformation
A Place to Call Home — Season 2: Revised Edition
  • Discs: 3
  • Episodes: 10
 N/A N/A 29 October 2015[upper-alpha 3]
  • Interviews
  • Young to Old: Sarah's Transformation
  • Season 3 Character Profiles
  • Season 3 Trailer
A Place to Call Home — Season 2: Collector's Edition
  • Discs: 1
  • Episodes: 3
 N/A N/A 29 October 2015[upper-alpha 4]
  • Interviews
  • Young to Old: Sarah's Transformation
  • Season 3 Character Profiles
  • Season 3 Trailer
A Place to Call Home — Season 3 5 April 2016 14 March 2016 7 April 2016

Region 1

  • Season 2, Episode 10 original intended cliffhanger ending version
  • Photo Gallery

Box sets

Title Set details DVD release dates Special features
Region 1[32] Region 2[33] Region 4[34]
A Place to Call Home — Season 1 & 2
  • Discs: 7
  • Episodes: 23
 N/A N/A 29 October 2015
  • Interviews
  • Young to Old: Sarah's Transformation
  • Season 3 Character Profiles
  • Season 3 Trailer
A Place to Call Home — Complete Series One to Three
  • Discs: 6
  • Episodes: 33
 N/A 14 March 2016 N/A

Notes

  1. ↑ 2 discs in the UK. Blu-ray includes 3 discs.
  2. ↑ Blu-ray and UK release includes 2 discs.
  3. ↑ Only released on DVD.
  4. ↑ Only released on DVD.
  5. ↑ 2 discs in the UK.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Blake, Elissa (21 April 2013). "A Marta for her cause". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Knox, David (8 July 2012). "More cast for A Place to Call Home". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  3. ↑ Knox, David (18 April 2013). "A Place to Call Home Drama Launch". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  4. ↑ Blundell, Graeme (20 April 2013). "Home truths revealed in Bevan Lee's new family drama". The Australian. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  5. 1 2 Craven, Peter (18 April 2013). "Dressed with vintage appeal". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  6. ↑ Knox, David (25 April 2013). "A Place to Call Home". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Knox, David (18 June 2012). "Noni Hazlehurst to call Seven home again". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  8. ↑ Idato, Michael (9 July 2012). "Marta finds a home at Seven". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  9. ↑ Yeap, Sue (9 July 2012). "New Seven blockbuster cranks up". The West Australian. Seven West Media Limited (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts). Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  10. ↑ B, Alicia (10 June 2012). "New Seven Show - A Place to Call Home". Throng.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  11. ↑ Chancellor, Jonathan (28 April 2013). "Camelot at Camden is captivating as A Place to Call Home location on Channel 7's new 1950s drama series". Property Observer. Private Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  12. ↑ Leys, Nick (17 April 2013). "Seven has high hopes for Bevan Lee's A Place To Call Home". The Australian. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "A Place to Call Home production details". Inside Film. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  14. ↑ Swift, Brendan (11 March 2013). "First Aus TV drama shot with Sony F65: A Place to Call Home". Inside Film. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  15. ↑ McWhirter, Erin (22–28 June 2013). "TV Insider". TV Week. Bauer Media Group (25): 25.
  16. ↑ Vnuk, Helen (10–16 May 2014). "Home comforts". TV Week. Bauer Media Group (19): 97.
  17. ↑ Williams, Glen (14–20 June 2014). "No place to call home". TV Week. Bauer Media Group (22): 11.
  18. ↑ Idato, Michael (15 October 2014). "New Place for A Place to Call Home". Sunday Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  19. ↑ Harris, Amy (25 October 2014). "Foxtel breathes new life into A Place To Call Home after Seven signs deal to keep the show alive". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Characters". Yahoo!7. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  21. 1 2 "TV ratings: 2013". Government of Australia. Screen Australia. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  22. 1 2 "TV ratings: 2014". Government of Australia. Screen Australia. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 Zautsen, Daniel (9 August 2016). "A Place to Call Home, filmed at Camelot in Kirkham, will return for its fourth series on Foxtel's showcase.". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  24. ↑ Knox, David (22 September 2011). "Seven Reveals 2012 Highlights". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  25. ↑ Knox, David (6 February 2012). "Programmers Wrap 2012: Seven Network". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  26. ↑ "Congratulations to all our National Award Winners". Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS). Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "2014 Equity Ensemble Awards - Winners Announced". TV Tonight. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  28. ↑ Knox, David (27 April 2014). "Logie Awards 2014: Winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  29. ↑ Knox, David (8 May 2016). "2016 Logie Awards: Winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  30. ↑ "A Place to Call Home - TV ONE". TV One (Television New Zealand, Ltd). Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  31. ↑ "BBC Two - A Place to Call Home - Episode guide".
  32. 1 2 American DVD releases:
  33. 1 2
  34. 1 2

External links

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