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Nine drama back to the bush

"Whyhope" is tipped to be one of the real stars of Doctor Doctor - the first time a Nine drama has been set in the bush since McLeod's Daughters.

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Rodger Corser and the stars of Doctor Doctor joined with Nine execs at Rosetta in Melbourne last night for the media launch of the upcoming series.

In attendance were Nicole da Silva, Tina Bursill, Steve Bisley, Ryan Johnson, Hayley McElhinney, plus Director of TV Michael Healy, Heads of Drama Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney and Essential Media producer Ian Collie. Claudia Karvan, who is also a producer, was unable to attend due to her filming commitments on ABC’s Newton’s Law.

Andy Ryan told guests another star of the show was the location of Mudgee, which doubles as the rural town of ‘Whyhope.’

“I think audiences will love going to ‘Whyhope’. It’s just divine,” he said. “It’s terrific on Channel Nine to have a rural-based show again. It’s the first one since McLeod’s Daughters where we’ve gone to the country.”

Ryan described the series as combining two traditions in Australian drama.

“One is the heart-warming, aspirational, family drama, often set in the country. Shows like McLeod’s Daughters, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors. We do that sort of show so well.

“But there’s another great tradition in Australian drama which is probably a bit more recent -the Australian drama with the flawed hero or heroine. With contemporary, sophisticated storytelling and a very topical subject matter. And you don’t have to look any further than shows like Underbelly, Rake or Wentworth.

Doctor Doctor really brings the best of both traditions together. It’s a show that is heart-warming, aspirational, escapist, thoroughly entertaining and something the whole family can watch. But it’s also very sophisticated, witty, and it will be at times controversial in a way that the audience won’t expect.

“Our characters zig in unexpected directions when you think they are going to zag.”

Doctor Doctor premieres 8:40pm Wednesday on Nine.

2 Responses

  1. I watched the first episode on 9NOW yesterday and i absolutely loved it. It does have that McLeod’s/ACP/Flying Doctors feel with a good dose of humour and quirkiness. It also has an excellent cast.
    I hope The show does well.

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