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“Wakefield really pushed the envelope”

Geraldine Hakewill praises producers & ABC for not watering down Wakefield's music & fantasy elements.

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Wakefield concludes its broadcast today on ABC with a striking conclusion for those who have stayed the distance.

The series by Jungle Entertainment has drawn raptures from iview audiences, especially for the way it has fused mental health, drama and music across its 8 episodes.

Geraldine Hakewill, who played Head Psychiatrist Kareena tells TV Tonight, “It’s such a unique show and really pushed the envelope, especially for Australian TV. I also think if you’re going to make something, just go for it.

“Having all the music, dance sequences and the fantasy elements to it is so crucial to express the themes of the show. I’m just really glad that that the ABC and Jungle and everyone involved really embraced that because they could have very easily tried to water that down and they didn’t. I’m just so happy because I think that’s what makes it stand out.

“I’m really proud of everybody involved. Kristen (Dunphy, creator / showrunner) and Sam (Meikle, showrunner) did such an amazing job. It was Kristen’s lived experience and her baby really, so I’m just so happy for them.”

8:30pm tonight on ABC.

8 Responses

  1. Loved it. The acting and casting was outstanding. I’m so glad they included the music/dancing, it fitted well with the theme of altered reality.The dance on the station was fabulous as was the mountain top dance with sequence.I thought it brave and challenging.Hope there is another season

    1. I’m not sure how you’d begin to craft a second series out of it. Feels kinda shoe-horned at the moment. Maybe they film a feature-length episode or 2 rather than a full series, but there’s a couple of “loose ends” I’d actually love to see tied up, chiefly how Nik recovered.

      Also, the editors of the show need to win all the awards. Staggering job executed beautifully.

      1. Don’t count out interest from overseas, if Wakefield proves popular in Europe or the UK it might be too much to ignore for those involved making the series, the only issue apart from developing the story and finance will be the availability of the main actors, especially Rudi Dharmalingam.

  2. I believe producers have to pick their themes well to include a fantasy or musical interlude, for me having a song or dance routine in Wakefield was not immediately appreciated but quickly grew on me, the natural skill of the main actors probably helped.

    Having song and dance sequences in final seasons of long running shows is almost to be expected, especially for US made shows, that or filming it in Black & White to return to a 40’s and 50’s, universe it doesn’t always pay off as not all actors have a musical or dance background.

  3. Wakefield has been sublime. Definitely one of the best local dramas I have ever watched.
    Such a brilliant cast with outstanding performances from all, especially Rudi Dharmalingam, Felicity Ward, Mandy McElhinney and Geraldine Hakewill . Rudi as Nick is absolutely exceptional.
    The brooding backdrop of the Blue Mountains is stunning as well.
    Definitely echoes of Lipstick On Your Collar , as well as The Singing Detective here..

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