Gallery: Offspring hospital

While it’s not unusual for television sets to look very convincing, one of the things that is most interesting about St. Francis, the hospital featured in Offspring, is that it has been rebuilt to resemble the original location used for filming.

Earlier seasons used an interior at Preston and Northcote Community Hospital, but the site was later sold and torn down after Season 3 in 2012.

Producers later replicated the set in Collingwood at a facility which doubles for production offices in one part, and hospital sets at the rear. In doing so they matched the colour palette and subtly widened the hospital corridors to allow for cameras, as well as installing lighting.

The look on-screen, which aired in 2013, was seamless. Exteriors using a hospital in nearby East Melbourne haven’t changed.

If you care to put yourself through the angst of Patrick’s death all over again, TEN will replay “Patrick’s Farewell” tomorrow night from 8:30pm.

The new season returns at 8:30pm next Wednesday night, six months on from the turmoil of last season.

Deep breath, Nina. We believe in you.