Series 2 Episode Guide
2.1 - The Heart of the Matter
951,000 viewers (4th)
Written by Stuart Page ; Directed by Declan Eames
Dr Blake returns from China and finds himself thrown straight into a murder investigation when the newly elected mayor of Ballarat is found dead at the bottom of the town hall steps. But threads of betrayal, adultery and double-dealing lead him to some high and low places, and Jean — kept in the dark — worries for him.
Starring: Craig McLachlan as Doctor Lucien Blake, Nadine Garner as Jean Beazley, Charlie Cousins as Senior Constable Charlie Davis, Cate Wolfe as Mattie O'Brien, Joel Tobeck as Chief Supt. Matthew Lawson
With: John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Sara Gleeson as Joy McDonald, Jim Russell as Douglas Calahan, Alison Bell as Adeline Campbell; Carolyn Bock as Frances Trevorrow, Christopher Bunworth as Bruce Beattie, Ian Rooney as Cec Drury, Richard Stables as Carl Laidley, Colin Lane as Graham Trevorrow, Alicia Pavlis as Attractive Clerk, Darren Mort as Town Clerk, Suyee Hughes as Blake's Daughter, Philli Anderson and Chris Weir as Stunt Performers
In memory of Penne Hackforth-Jones, 1949 – 2013
Written by Stuart Page ; Directed by Declan Eames
Dr Blake returns from China and finds himself thrown straight into a murder investigation when the newly elected mayor of Ballarat is found dead at the bottom of the town hall steps. But threads of betrayal, adultery and double-dealing lead him to some high and low places, and Jean — kept in the dark — worries for him.
Starring: Craig McLachlan as Doctor Lucien Blake, Nadine Garner as Jean Beazley, Charlie Cousins as Senior Constable Charlie Davis, Cate Wolfe as Mattie O'Brien, Joel Tobeck as Chief Supt. Matthew Lawson
With: John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Sara Gleeson as Joy McDonald, Jim Russell as Douglas Calahan, Alison Bell as Adeline Campbell; Carolyn Bock as Frances Trevorrow, Christopher Bunworth as Bruce Beattie, Ian Rooney as Cec Drury, Richard Stables as Carl Laidley, Colin Lane as Graham Trevorrow, Alicia Pavlis as Attractive Clerk, Darren Mort as Town Clerk, Suyee Hughes as Blake's Daughter, Philli Anderson and Chris Weir as Stunt Performers
In memory of Penne Hackforth-Jones, 1949 – 2013
2.2 - The Food of Love
857,000 viewers (4th)
Written by Peter McTighe ; Directed by Declan Eames
An up-and-coming rock 'n' roll singer comes to Ballarat to perform, and the town goes wild for him. But when the star dies in an alleyway outside the venue, it falls to Dr Blake to investigate the mystifying circumstances, see past the murky intrigue of the singer's life and find the truth. While Blake investigates, Lawson must try to keep the peace as the town is divided, and Charlie encounters feisty young almoner Rose.
With: Cameron Daddo as Howard McArthur, Peter Flaherty as Gerry Bowen, Lara Robinson as Peggy Bowen, Matthew McFarlane as Tony Capuano, Nicole Gulasekharam as Shirley Freedman, Gareth Keegan as Reuban Hayes, Daniel Hills as Walker, Steve Danielson as Bobby Lee, Timothy Quabba as Constable Ned Simmons, Mark Diaco as JP MacGuire, Simon King as Mr Freedman, Jez Mitchell-Stewart as Marcus Bowen, James Finlayson-Smith as Drummer, Felix Potier as Bass Player/Guitarist, Tyron Shaw as Guitarist
Written by Peter McTighe ; Directed by Declan Eames
An up-and-coming rock 'n' roll singer comes to Ballarat to perform, and the town goes wild for him. But when the star dies in an alleyway outside the venue, it falls to Dr Blake to investigate the mystifying circumstances, see past the murky intrigue of the singer's life and find the truth. While Blake investigates, Lawson must try to keep the peace as the town is divided, and Charlie encounters feisty young almoner Rose.
With: Cameron Daddo as Howard McArthur, Peter Flaherty as Gerry Bowen, Lara Robinson as Peggy Bowen, Matthew McFarlane as Tony Capuano, Nicole Gulasekharam as Shirley Freedman, Gareth Keegan as Reuban Hayes, Daniel Hills as Walker, Steve Danielson as Bobby Lee, Timothy Quabba as Constable Ned Simmons, Mark Diaco as JP MacGuire, Simon King as Mr Freedman, Jez Mitchell-Stewart as Marcus Bowen, James Finlayson-Smith as Drummer, Felix Potier as Bass Player/Guitarist, Tyron Shaw as Guitarist
2.3 - A Foreign Field
914,000 viewers (4th)
Written by Marcia Gardner ; Directed by Lee Rogers
When the body of a well-dressed man is found dead on a picnic blanket in Ballarat's botanical gardens, Blake determines the cause of death as cyanide poisoning. But when attempts to identify the man fail, Blake is left to rely on a mysterious clue trail to attempt to uncover the identity of his killer.
With: Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Edwina Wren as Elise Patrick, Sibylla Budd as Martha Harris, Mark Casamento as Carmello Benetti, Natasha Herbert as Nola Lundqvist, James O'Connell as Aaron Edwards, Stephen Carracher as John Doe, Mick O'Malley as Foreman, Sue-Ann Walker as Landlady, Ged Cogley as Librarian, Benjamin James as Man in Suit #1, Tony Dundas as Man in Suit #2
Written by Marcia Gardner ; Directed by Lee Rogers
When the body of a well-dressed man is found dead on a picnic blanket in Ballarat's botanical gardens, Blake determines the cause of death as cyanide poisoning. But when attempts to identify the man fail, Blake is left to rely on a mysterious clue trail to attempt to uncover the identity of his killer.
With: Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Edwina Wren as Elise Patrick, Sibylla Budd as Martha Harris, Mark Casamento as Carmello Benetti, Natasha Herbert as Nola Lundqvist, James O'Connell as Aaron Edwards, Stephen Carracher as John Doe, Mick O'Malley as Foreman, Sue-Ann Walker as Landlady, Ged Cogley as Librarian, Benjamin James as Man in Suit #1, Tony Dundas as Man in Suit #2
2.4 - Smoke and Mirrors
975,000 viewers (2nd)
Written by Chelsea Cassio ; Directed by Lee Rogers
Cec Drury, the butler at the Colonists' Club, has just closed up for the night when a body appears out of nowhere from above, crashing onto the roof of the car in front of him. So begins one of Dr Blake's most unlikely and remarkable cases. After surveying the balcony Blake realises the railing is too high for this 'fall' to be an accident. Meanwhile, Lawson is caught up in a hit-and-run involving one of his officers. The only clue linking both incidents is a pouch of brandless tobacco.
With: Freya Stafford as Sarah Alexander, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Ian Rooney as Cec Drury, Jack Finsterer as Lyle Townsend, Kristina Brew as Beatrice Ryan, Stephen Ballantyne as Hugh Dankworth, Paul Moder as Willard Baxter, Mick Lo Monaco as Leon Woods, Lance Anderson as Noel Ashford, Maude Davey as Mrs Ashford, Sebastian Bertoli as Young Man, Craig Bland as Constable Martin, Dean Parker as James Alexander, Davin Taylor as Stunt Performer, Jarrah Cocks as Stunt Performer
Written by Chelsea Cassio ; Directed by Lee Rogers
Cec Drury, the butler at the Colonists' Club, has just closed up for the night when a body appears out of nowhere from above, crashing onto the roof of the car in front of him. So begins one of Dr Blake's most unlikely and remarkable cases. After surveying the balcony Blake realises the railing is too high for this 'fall' to be an accident. Meanwhile, Lawson is caught up in a hit-and-run involving one of his officers. The only clue linking both incidents is a pouch of brandless tobacco.
With: Freya Stafford as Sarah Alexander, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Ian Rooney as Cec Drury, Jack Finsterer as Lyle Townsend, Kristina Brew as Beatrice Ryan, Stephen Ballantyne as Hugh Dankworth, Paul Moder as Willard Baxter, Mick Lo Monaco as Leon Woods, Lance Anderson as Noel Ashford, Maude Davey as Mrs Ashford, Sebastian Bertoli as Young Man, Craig Bland as Constable Martin, Dean Parker as James Alexander, Davin Taylor as Stunt Performer, Jarrah Cocks as Stunt Performer
2.5 - Crossing the Line
871,000 viewers (4th)
Written by Chelsea Cassio ; Directed by Pino Amenta
Jean is at the cinema when, to everyone's horror, a fire breaks out in the projection booth during a packed screening of Hitchcock's Vertigo. Adam Summers has burned to death and every employee and patron in the cinema is a suspect. Meanwhile, Mattie tells Blake about the wedding of the year — Amelia Yorke is marrying wealthy bachelor Vincent Foster. But when Blake discovers the cinema fire was intended to destroy the films and not Adam he looks to the wedding party for answers.
With: Tom Burlinson as Richard Taylor, John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Andrew Blackman as Miles McLaren, Lee Beckhurst as Edward Tyneman, Dena Kaplan as Amelia Yorke, Lauren O'Callaghan as Bella Stapleton, Jesse Velik as Paddy Yorke, Tod Strike as Adam Summers, Nick Russell as Vincent Foster, John Hastie as Stag Film Man
Written by Chelsea Cassio ; Directed by Pino Amenta
Jean is at the cinema when, to everyone's horror, a fire breaks out in the projection booth during a packed screening of Hitchcock's Vertigo. Adam Summers has burned to death and every employee and patron in the cinema is a suspect. Meanwhile, Mattie tells Blake about the wedding of the year — Amelia Yorke is marrying wealthy bachelor Vincent Foster. But when Blake discovers the cinema fire was intended to destroy the films and not Adam he looks to the wedding party for answers.
With: Tom Burlinson as Richard Taylor, John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Andrew Blackman as Miles McLaren, Lee Beckhurst as Edward Tyneman, Dena Kaplan as Amelia Yorke, Lauren O'Callaghan as Bella Stapleton, Jesse Velik as Paddy Yorke, Tod Strike as Adam Summers, Nick Russell as Vincent Foster, John Hastie as Stag Film Man
2.6 - Mortal Coil
848,000 viewers (5th)
Written by Stuart Page ; Directed by Pino Amenta
Jean attends a local funeral where the coffin is dropped, revealing not one but two bodies. It turns out to be the body of a local rag and bone man — but why would someone kill him, and go to such elaborate measures to get rid of the body? Soon, Doctor Blake realises that he's been asking the wrong questions — there's more than one body waiting to be discovered. A missing man may even still be alive, but can Blake solve the puzzle in time to save him? But finding the answer involves grappling with his own mortality, and Jean worries as his behaviour becomes more and more out of control.
With: Dennis Coard as Harold Morris, Dan Hamill as Steven Morris, Andrew S. Gilbert as Martin Callow, Esther Stephens as Lydia Callow, Richard Sutherland as Alfred Poole, Byron Brochmann as Victor Morgan, Glenn Roberts as Andrew Morgan, Bruce Gleeson as Sid Bartel, Dorothy Adams as Edith Woodley, Robert Watt as Malcolm Tucker, Kahli Williams as Nurse, Scott Welsh as Hobo, Christine Butler as Old Woman, Xavier Gouault as Pallbearer, Greg McCully as Pallbearer, Graham Jahne as Stunt Performer
Written by Stuart Page ; Directed by Pino Amenta
Jean attends a local funeral where the coffin is dropped, revealing not one but two bodies. It turns out to be the body of a local rag and bone man — but why would someone kill him, and go to such elaborate measures to get rid of the body? Soon, Doctor Blake realises that he's been asking the wrong questions — there's more than one body waiting to be discovered. A missing man may even still be alive, but can Blake solve the puzzle in time to save him? But finding the answer involves grappling with his own mortality, and Jean worries as his behaviour becomes more and more out of control.
With: Dennis Coard as Harold Morris, Dan Hamill as Steven Morris, Andrew S. Gilbert as Martin Callow, Esther Stephens as Lydia Callow, Richard Sutherland as Alfred Poole, Byron Brochmann as Victor Morgan, Glenn Roberts as Andrew Morgan, Bruce Gleeson as Sid Bartel, Dorothy Adams as Edith Woodley, Robert Watt as Malcolm Tucker, Kahli Williams as Nurse, Scott Welsh as Hobo, Christine Butler as Old Woman, Xavier Gouault as Pallbearer, Greg McCully as Pallbearer, Graham Jahne as Stunt Performer
2.7 - The Silence
938,000 viewers (3rd)
Written by Pete McTighe ; Directed by Declan Eames
The headmaster of the local school is found dead in his office from a blow to the head but the excessive bleeding and enlarged spleen reveal rat poison as a contributing factor. Lawson suspects the deputy headmaster, who had bullied him at the same school which they attended as youngsters. Blake Investigates how the poison was administered and the women involved with the headmaster when a more sinister reason emerges between two siblings at the school.
With: Kevin Harrington as Donald McAvoy, Anita Hegh as Susan Wooton, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Eloise Oxer as Eva Blackwell, Jessica Clarke as Caroline Palmer, Rarmian Newton as Paul Wooton, Angourie Rice as Lisa Wooton, Timothy Quabba as Constable Ned Simmons, Andrew Broadbent as Joseph Lennox, Hunter Stanford as Bradley
Written by Pete McTighe ; Directed by Declan Eames
The headmaster of the local school is found dead in his office from a blow to the head but the excessive bleeding and enlarged spleen reveal rat poison as a contributing factor. Lawson suspects the deputy headmaster, who had bullied him at the same school which they attended as youngsters. Blake Investigates how the poison was administered and the women involved with the headmaster when a more sinister reason emerges between two siblings at the school.
With: Kevin Harrington as Donald McAvoy, Anita Hegh as Susan Wooton, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Eloise Oxer as Eva Blackwell, Jessica Clarke as Caroline Palmer, Rarmian Newton as Paul Wooton, Angourie Rice as Lisa Wooton, Timothy Quabba as Constable Ned Simmons, Andrew Broadbent as Joseph Lennox, Hunter Stanford as Bradley
2.8 - The Ties of the Past
932,000 viewers (4th)
Written by Marcia Gardner ; Directed by Declan Eames
We see her hauntingly beautiful smile at the beginning of the show. Is the young woman an object of art or an artist in her own right? Several claim to be her lover, but how was she treated? Blake sees specters of his past at home and at the crime scene. He is called upon to open a door that had been long locked. As the show ends he sits, seemingly contented, in front of a fire that has not been lit for many years. Doors that have been opened cannot be closed again, however, and Dr. Blake must face that his mother’s relationship to the world was more complicated than his younger self could have supposed.
With: Helen Morse as Agnes Clasby, John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Dominic Allburn as Geoffrey Ledwith, Kestie Morassi as Elaine Greenslade, Tamzen Hayes as Virginia McKay; Ian Rooney as Cec Drury, Jo Turner as Barry Johnstone, Andrew Clarke as Brendan Ross, Rick Burchall as Baldwin, Alexander Eames as Young Blake, Miranda Nation as Genevieve Ettienne
Written by Marcia Gardner ; Directed by Declan Eames
We see her hauntingly beautiful smile at the beginning of the show. Is the young woman an object of art or an artist in her own right? Several claim to be her lover, but how was she treated? Blake sees specters of his past at home and at the crime scene. He is called upon to open a door that had been long locked. As the show ends he sits, seemingly contented, in front of a fire that has not been lit for many years. Doors that have been opened cannot be closed again, however, and Dr. Blake must face that his mother’s relationship to the world was more complicated than his younger self could have supposed.
With: Helen Morse as Agnes Clasby, John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Dominic Allburn as Geoffrey Ledwith, Kestie Morassi as Elaine Greenslade, Tamzen Hayes as Virginia McKay; Ian Rooney as Cec Drury, Jo Turner as Barry Johnstone, Andrew Clarke as Brendan Ross, Rick Burchall as Baldwin, Alexander Eames as Young Blake, Miranda Nation as Genevieve Ettienne
2.9 - The Sky is Empty
938,000 viewers (3rd)
Written by Chelsea Cassio ; Directed by Ian Barry
A is for adultery, B is for Bees, C is for Covetousness, D is for Dead. How has Father Mortenson died? Who had motive? Lawson is preoccupied, but why? How many lapsed Catholics find their way to Church? Does Blake feel guilt for his abandonment?
When beloved Father Morton is found dead in the confessional on a Sunday morning, Blake discovers his death was no accident. As he investigates which of the parishioners might have motive to kill their own priest, Blake also is forced to examine his own beliefs in the almighty, and how they conflict with those of the people he cares about most, especially Jean.
With: Robert Menzies as Mr Michaels, Marg Downey as Evelyn Toohey, Nick Farnell as Father Emery, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Sheridan Harbridge as Celia Lloyd, Lyall Brooks as Ben Lloyd, Petula Clark as Dorothy Turner, Ron Falk as Father Morton
Written by Chelsea Cassio ; Directed by Ian Barry
A is for adultery, B is for Bees, C is for Covetousness, D is for Dead. How has Father Mortenson died? Who had motive? Lawson is preoccupied, but why? How many lapsed Catholics find their way to Church? Does Blake feel guilt for his abandonment?
When beloved Father Morton is found dead in the confessional on a Sunday morning, Blake discovers his death was no accident. As he investigates which of the parishioners might have motive to kill their own priest, Blake also is forced to examine his own beliefs in the almighty, and how they conflict with those of the people he cares about most, especially Jean.
With: Robert Menzies as Mr Michaels, Marg Downey as Evelyn Toohey, Nick Farnell as Father Emery, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Sheridan Harbridge as Celia Lloyd, Lyall Brooks as Ben Lloyd, Petula Clark as Dorothy Turner, Ron Falk as Father Morton
2.10 - An Invincible Summer
906,000 viewers (5th)
Written by Stuart Page ; Directed by Ian Barry
Ballarat is in an uproar when the bodies of the most beloved family in town, the Dennisons, are found murdered in their own home on the morning of the Daylesford to Ballarat cross-country race. With the town in a panic, it's exactly the wrong time for Jean's ne'er-do-well son Jack to turn up. As Blake investigates he discovers this revered family is not quite as perfect as everyone thought.
With: John Stanton as Doug Ashby, John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Aaron Jakubenko as Jack Beazley, Rob Maxwell as Owen Dennison, Laura Maitland as Aileen Dennison; Leon Teague as Albert Dennison, Robert Wallace as Clyde Dennison, Timothy Quabba as Constable Ned Simmons, Bryce Hardy as Ray Banford, Sharelle Starr as Ivy Douglas, Scott Reid as Window Cleaner, Terry Brittingham as Drunk, Michael Nolan as Cameron Dennison, Helen Nicholas as Lorna Dennison, Michael Doonan as Samuel Dennsion, Tara Grace as Young Woman, Mark Taylor as Pub Manager, Aleisha Pearson as Maid
Written by Stuart Page ; Directed by Ian Barry
Ballarat is in an uproar when the bodies of the most beloved family in town, the Dennisons, are found murdered in their own home on the morning of the Daylesford to Ballarat cross-country race. With the town in a panic, it's exactly the wrong time for Jean's ne'er-do-well son Jack to turn up. As Blake investigates he discovers this revered family is not quite as perfect as everyone thought.
With: John Stanton as Doug Ashby, John Wood as Patrick Tyneman, Belinda McClory as Alice Harvey, Aaron Jakubenko as Jack Beazley, Rob Maxwell as Owen Dennison, Laura Maitland as Aileen Dennison; Leon Teague as Albert Dennison, Robert Wallace as Clyde Dennison, Timothy Quabba as Constable Ned Simmons, Bryce Hardy as Ray Banford, Sharelle Starr as Ivy Douglas, Scott Reid as Window Cleaner, Terry Brittingham as Drunk, Michael Nolan as Cameron Dennison, Helen Nicholas as Lorna Dennison, Michael Doonan as Samuel Dennsion, Tara Grace as Young Woman, Mark Taylor as Pub Manager, Aleisha Pearson as Maid