Stormy Petrel

1 9 6 0 (Australia)
12 x 30 minute episodes

This 12-part historical series – the first drama series produced by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) – was set in the infant colony of New South Wales in the early 19th century.

The governor was William Bligh (Brian James), the naval commander who had been captain of the HMS Bounty some years earlier when a mutiny broke out.

Bligh soon discovered his authority under challenge by military officers of the New South Wales Corps, who were intent on controlling the economy of the new colony.

Events went from bad to worse, and a mutinous “rum rebellion” eventually broke out. Stormy Petrel traced the escalating drama of this dispute.

The series debuted on 15 May 1960 and was broadcast live-to-air in Sydney from the ABC studios at Gore Hill on Sunday nights, and kinescoped for re-broadcast in the other cities of Australia that had television stations.

Governor William Bligh
Brian James
Mrs Bligh
Muriel Steinbeck
Mary Bligh/Putland
Delia Williams
Ann Bligh
Annette Andre
Elizabeth Bligh
Elizabeth Waterhouse
Lt. John Putland
Ric Hutton
Sir Joseph Banks
Geoffrey King
John MacArthur
Walter Sullivan
Elizabeth MacArthur
Margo Lee
Major George Johnston
Nigel Lovell
Edmund Griffin
Alistair Duncan
Judge Richard Atkins
Richard Parry
Captain Kemp
Ken Goodlet
William Gore
Frank Taylor
Jubb
Nat Levison
Captain Philip King
Laurie Lange
Mrs King
Georgie Sterling
Lt. Minchin
Stuart Finch
Major Foveaux
Rhoderick Walker

Episodes

The Assignment | The Voyage Out | The Arrival | Enter John Macarthur | Storm Clouds | The Challenge | The First Skirmish | The Storm Gathers | The Storm Breaks | The Rebellion | The Aftermath | The Way Back