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Bed of Roses (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Bed of Roses is an Australian comedy / drama television series which first screened on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
(ABC) from 10 May 2008. It stars Kerry Armstrong
(SeaChange
and Lantana
) and was created by Jutta Goetze and Elizabeth Coleman; produced by Mark Ruse (Kath & Kim
, The Games
) and Stephen Luby (Crackerjack).
) handling her life after she discovers her husband has died in the arms of another woman, leaving her broke. She returns to her home town of Rainbow's End to live with her feisty mother, Minna (Julia Blake
). Rainbow's End is in a 'growth corridor' with neighbouring town of Indigo. Besides problems with Minna, Louisa encounters trouble with her teenage daughter Holly (Hanna Mangan-Lawrence
) and local residents. Louisa has few financial assets except "Mary Kelly's Shack" she inherited from her father. Louisa decides to demolish the shack and build a new house to sell. Holly has taken the death of her father very hard and insists on carrying around his ashes. Louisa's irresponsible driving results in numerous traffic offences, which she can ill afford.
towns of Foster
and Meeniyan
, it has taken six years from its initial conception to final screening. It has distinct overtones of Armstrong's previous ABC-TV series SeaChange. Bed Of Roses aired on Saturday night on ABC at 7:30 pm, leading into The Bill
at 8:30 pm.
The ABC
ordered 8 episodes for season two, up from 6 episodes for season one. Bud Tingwell and Philip Quast
have joined the cast for the second season. Season two of Bed of Roses was filmed over five months in regional Victoria (South Gippsland), Melbourne and in the ABC TV studios, Ripponlea.
Season Two of Bed of Roses is the story of a woman's search – and a community's search – for a workable identity in the 21st Century. It is also a love story. Because whether you're 80, 50 or 17, none of us is immune to that totally infuriating, confusing, heating, frighteningly vulnerable sensation that renders us smiling, crying, despairing, and hopeful, all in the same breath. Particularly when you're not sure which man you're in love with.
Season Three began filiming in May 2010. the program was filmed over five months in regional Victoria (South Gippsland), Melbourne and in the ABC TV studios, Southbank. For the second time the number of episodes will increase, with Season 3 to have 12 episodes and will begin airing 4 December 2010.
on the Series Channel.
The Show also airs on Ireland on RTÉ One
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
(ABC) from 10 May 2008. It stars Kerry Armstrong
Kerry Armstrong
Kerry Michelle Armstrong is an Australian actress on film, television, and stage. She is one of only two actresses to win two Australian Film Institute Awards in the same year...
(SeaChange
SeaChange
SeaChange was a popular Australian television show that ran for 39 episodes from 1998 to 2001 on the ABC. It was created by Andrew Knight and Deborah Cox and starred Sigrid Thornton, David Wenham, William McInnes, John Howard, Tom Long and Kerry Armstrong...
and Lantana
Lantana (film)
Lantana is a 2001 Australian film, directed by Ray Lawrence and featuring Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Armstrong, Geoffrey Rush and Barbara Hershey. It is based on the play Speaking In Tongues by Andrew Bovell, which premiered at Sydney's Griffin Theatre Company...
) and was created by Jutta Goetze and Elizabeth Coleman; produced by Mark Ruse (Kath & Kim
Kath & Kim
Kath & Kim is a Logie Award-winning character-driven Australian television situation comedy series. The series was created by, and is written by Jane Turner and Gina Riley who play the title characters: a suburban mother and daughter with a dysfunctional relationship...
, The Games
The Games (Australian TV)
The Games was an Australian mockumentary television series about the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The series was originally broadcast on the ABC and had two seasons of 13 episodes each, the first in 1998 and the second in 2000....
) and Stephen Luby (Crackerjack).
Plot
Bed of Roses is about Louisa Atherton (Kerry ArmstrongKerry Armstrong
Kerry Michelle Armstrong is an Australian actress on film, television, and stage. She is one of only two actresses to win two Australian Film Institute Awards in the same year...
) handling her life after she discovers her husband has died in the arms of another woman, leaving her broke. She returns to her home town of Rainbow's End to live with her feisty mother, Minna (Julia Blake
Julia Blake
Julia Blake is a British-born actress based in Australia.Blake was born in London, England. She is married to Terry Norris. She is the mother of actresses Sarah and Jane Norris....
). Rainbow's End is in a 'growth corridor' with neighbouring town of Indigo. Besides problems with Minna, Louisa encounters trouble with her teenage daughter Holly (Hanna Mangan-Lawrence
Hanna Mangan-Lawrence
Hanna Mangan-Lawrence is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role as Holly in the Australian drama series on the ABC television network Bed of Roses in which she received an AFI Award nomination in 2008 and a Logie Award nomination in 2009.-Career:Mangan-Lawrence started her film...
) and local residents. Louisa has few financial assets except "Mary Kelly's Shack" she inherited from her father. Louisa decides to demolish the shack and build a new house to sell. Holly has taken the death of her father very hard and insists on carrying around his ashes. Louisa's irresponsible driving results in numerous traffic offences, which she can ill afford.
Production
The first season contained six 50-minute episodes, with the $5 million production being shot over nine weeks, mostly in the South GippslandSouth Gippsland
South Gippsland, a region of Gippsland in Victoria, Australia, is a well-watered region consisting of low, rolling hills descending to the coast in the south and the Latrobe Valley in the north. Low granite hills continue into Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost point of Victoria and mainland...
towns of Foster
Foster, Victoria
Foster is a dairying and grazing town south-east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway in Victoria, Australia. It is about north of the Gippsland coastline which includes Shallow Inlet, Corner Inlet, Waratah Bay, Yanakie and Wilsons Promontory...
and Meeniyan
Meeniyan, Victoria
Meeniyan is a small country town on the South Gippsland Highway between Leongatha and Foster.-History:The Post Office opened on 16 August 1890 shortly before the railway arrived.-The Town today:...
, it has taken six years from its initial conception to final screening. It has distinct overtones of Armstrong's previous ABC-TV series SeaChange. Bed Of Roses aired on Saturday night on ABC at 7:30 pm, leading into The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
at 8:30 pm.
The ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
ordered 8 episodes for season two, up from 6 episodes for season one. Bud Tingwell and Philip Quast
Philip Quast
Philip Quast is an Australian actor perhaps best known for his role as Inspector Javert in the stage musical version of Les Misérables, or for appearances in numerous Australian soap operas including Sons and Daughters, The Young Doctors and Police Rescue.-Personal life:Quast was born in 1957 in...
have joined the cast for the second season. Season two of Bed of Roses was filmed over five months in regional Victoria (South Gippsland), Melbourne and in the ABC TV studios, Ripponlea.
Head of ABC TV Drama Miranda Dear, on announcing season two of the hit drama.
“We knew whilst making series one that we had something special on our hands and so went straight into developing a second series. The audience response was terrific both on ABC1 and Podcast".
Season Two of Bed of Roses is the story of a woman's search – and a community's search – for a workable identity in the 21st Century. It is also a love story. Because whether you're 80, 50 or 17, none of us is immune to that totally infuriating, confusing, heating, frighteningly vulnerable sensation that renders us smiling, crying, despairing, and hopeful, all in the same breath. Particularly when you're not sure which man you're in love with.
Season Three began filiming in May 2010. the program was filmed over five months in regional Victoria (South Gippsland), Melbourne and in the ABC TV studios, Southbank. For the second time the number of episodes will increase, with Season 3 to have 12 episodes and will begin airing 4 December 2010.
Main cast
- Kerry ArmstrongKerry ArmstrongKerry Michelle Armstrong is an Australian actress on film, television, and stage. She is one of only two actresses to win two Australian Film Institute Awards in the same year...
as Louisa Atherton, recently widowed, returns to Rainbow's End.- Becomes editor of The Rainbow Echo, responds to community issues, problems with Tim and Nick.
- Julia BlakeJulia BlakeJulia Blake is a British-born actress based in Australia.Blake was born in London, England. She is married to Terry Norris. She is the mother of actresses Sarah and Jane Norris....
as Minna Franklin, Louisa's mother, member of the Heritage Society.- Renews friendship with Sandy, fights redevelopments.
- Caroline GillmerCaroline GillmerCaroline Gillmer is an Australian actress, best known for her roles in various television series, such as Prisoner as Helen Smart and Neighbours as Cheryl Stark....
as Marg Braithwaite, estranged wife of Gavin Braithwaite.- Now a marriage celebrant, tries to gain Tim's interest.
- Hanna Mangan-LawrenceHanna Mangan-LawrenceHanna Mangan-Lawrence is an Australian actress. She is best known for her role as Holly in the Australian drama series on the ABC television network Bed of Roses in which she received an AFI Award nomination in 2008 and a Logie Award nomination in 2009.-Career:Mangan-Lawrence started her film...
as Holly Atherton, Louisa's daughter, Indigo High year 11 student, works at Lim's.- Now in year 12, becomes involved in local issues, misunderstanding with Sean.
- Jay Laga'aiaJay Laga'aiaJay Laga'aia is an actor and singer. He is best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.-Career:...
as Nick Pickering, Louisa's old friend who runs Nick's Tyre Service.- Goes out with Louisa, helps Holly with driving lessons.
- Andrew S. GilbertAndrew S. GilbertAndrew S. Gilbert is an Australian actor best known for his AFI Award-winning role in Kiss or Kill and other supporting work in Look Both Ways and The Dish and his recent role as Gavin Braithwaite on the ABC series, Bed of Roses. He is also known for his collaboration with Director David Caesar on...
as Gavin Braithwaite, hardware store owner, local councillor.- Continues self-promotion, buys The Rainbow Echo, appoints Tim as manager.
- Kaarin FairfaxKaarin FairfaxKaarin Fairfax is an Australian actress who played the role of 'Dolour Darcy' in two TV miniseries The Harp in the South and Poor Man's Orange based on books of the same names by Ruth Park. She has also acted in other Australian television series throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, and...
as Deb Mathieson, new friend, worked on The Rainbow Echo, looks after injured wildlife.- Runs a wildlife sanctuary, because of conflicting work hours sees less of husband Trev.
- Matt Levett as Sean Smithwick, local footballer, undertakers' son, has a crush on Holly.
- Misunderstanding with Holly, drives undertaker's van.
- Dina PanozzoDina PanozzoDina Panozzo is an Australian actress, best known for her regular roles in the television series Carla Cametti PD and Bed of Roses. She has also appeared in a recurring role in Packed to the Rafters and guest roles in many Australian series including A Country Practice, Water Rats and White Collar...
as Gemma O'Reilly, gym owner, old friend.- Intimacy problems with husband Pat.
- HaiHa Le as Rita Lim, Rainbow Inn restaurant & Happy Nuggett mini-market manager, Gavin's girlfriend.
- Involved in community projects, new boyfriend is Chin.
Season two
- Charles "Bud" Tingwell as Sandy Wilsoncroft, Minna's old friend, has Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. - Gareth YuenGareth YuenGareth Yuen is an Australian actor who portrays the character Dax Lo, the Blue Ranger on the 2007 television series Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive...
as Chin Tsung Chi, trying to find an ancestor, Rita's new boyfriend. - Philip QuastPhilip QuastPhilip Quast is an Australian actor perhaps best known for his role as Inspector Javert in the stage musical version of Les Misérables, or for appearances in numerous Australian soap operas including Sons and Daughters, The Young Doctors and Police Rescue.-Personal life:Quast was born in 1957 in...
as Tim Price, new manager of The Rainbow Echo, Louisa's boss.
Additional cast
- Dave Thornton as Shannon Atherton, Louisa's 24 year old son, plays Aussie RulesAustralian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
football professionally. - Cameron McKenzie as 'Young Cop' (Gregg Russell), books Louisa for traffic offences, returns run-away Holly.
- Books Sean for driving while intoxicated – ticket withdrawn by Sergeant.
- Kallista Kaval as Wendy Watt,The Rainbow Echo editor, Louisa's boss.
- Leaves newspaper for a better offer.
- Richard DaviesRichard Davies (Australian actor)Richard Davies is an Australian actor, best known for his roles in television series such as, Offspring and The Saddle Club.-Early Life:In 2005, Richard graduated from the National Theatre Drama School...
as 'Rooster' McIver, football team captain, makes an advance on Holly, Marty's 'chippieCarpenterA carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
'. - Greg StoneGreg StoneGreg Stone is an Australian actor who has appeared in films, television and on stage.-Biography:Stone graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney in 1983 and won a Helpmann Award and Green Room Award for Best Actor for his role of George W. Bush in David Hare’s Stuff Happens...
as Jack (Thomas) Atherton (1956–2008), Louisa's husband, dies of a heart attack. - Jaqueline Brennan as Anna (Mayhew), Jack's girlfriend.
- Amanda Ma as Lily Lim, Rita's mother, Rainbow Inn restaurant & Happy Nuggett mini-market co-owner, disapproves of Gavin.
- Lawrence Mah as Wayne Lim, Rita's father, business co-owner, friendly with Gavin, proposes expanding shopping centre.
- Frank Magree as Marty Mason, a builder, Rainbow Roos' coach.
- Also a taxi driver, continues building projects for Gavin.
- Brandon Burns as Macca, footballer, Marty's labourer, turns 21.
- Susie Dee as Vivien Dixon, Minna's friend, member of the Heritage Society.
- Works at The Rainbow Echo, runs 'Caring Caroline' column.
- Geoff Morrell as Tibor Havel, a psychiatrist, Louisa's widowed neighbour.
- Leverne McDonnell as Robyn (Blake), Louisa's friend in Melbourne, offers her a job.
- Ronald Boyter as Clem Blackwell, Rainbow's End resident.
- Cliff Ellen as Clem.
- Tim Sullivan as Ern Swann, real estate agent.
- Nicole Gulasekharam as Tahlia, Holly's school friend.
- Protests, with other students, against redevelopments with Holly.
- Graham Thwaites as Jase, Marty's roofing sub-contractor and nephew.
- Julie Wynn as Meilin (Chee), ghost seen by Louisa, previous owner of the shack.
Season two
- Jasper Bagg as Trev Mathieson, truck driver, work hours conflict with Deb's wildlife work.
- Christopher Bunworth as Pat O'Reilly, intimacy problem with Gemma.
- Richard Moss as Bob Stinson, previous Rainbow Echo owner.
- Christopher Connelly as Lionel Smithwick, undertaker, Sean's father.
- Terry Gill as Owen Diston, goat farmer, annoys Minna.
Season one
| # | Title | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
Season two
In South Africa, season two premiered on 24 November 2009. In Australia, it premiered on 13 February 2010.| # | Title | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
Season three
In Australia, season three premiered on 4 December 2010.| # | Title | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
DVD releases
| Series | Date Released | # Of Episodes | # Of Discs | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series One | 6 August 2008 | 6 | 2 | None |
| Series Two | 1 April 2010 | 8 | 2 | Unknown |
International
Bed Of Roses is screened in South Africa on pay television operator DStvDStv
DStv is MultiChoice's multi-channel digital satellite TV service in Africa, launched in 1995. It operates from two satellites over Africa, broadcasting on Ku band via Eutelsat W7 and Intelsat 7 , which only requires a small satellite dish...
on the Series Channel.
The Show also airs on Ireland on RTÉ One
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
Reception
- The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
reviewer, Judy Adamson, praised the characterisation of Bed of Roses for episode 1. Jodie Pfarr found that despite a slow start, the series had improved by episode 3 with Armstrong showing mastery of a range of emotions. Kate Duthie felt the series was too cliche-ridden by episode 4. - The AgeThe AgeThe Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
reviewer, Catherine Deveny, was disappointed that the talented cast delivered a painful performance.
See also
- List of Australian television series
- List of Australian Broadcasting Corporation programs
External links
- Australian Television Information Archive: Bed of Roses Episode guide
- Bed of Roses at ABC TelevisionABC TelevisionABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
- Bed of Roses (2008) at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...