In the 1880s, 18-year-old Englishman Jack Grant (Kenneth Branagh) is sent by his parents to make a new life in the pioneering colony of Western Australia after being expelled from an English agricultural college for a childish prank.
His father – a military man with solid ideas on discipline – feels life in the harsh outback is what’s needed to make a man of his son.
Jack is met on arrival by the family solicitor, Mr George (John Frawley), who introduces him to his mother’s relatives, the Ellises.
Jack’s life is to be full of adventures, including taming horses and fighting kangaroos. He also competes for the love of two cousins, making an enemy of Red Esau (Steve Bisley) over the affections of Monica Ellis (Sigrid Thornton), while Monica’s cousin, Mary (Celia De Burgh), takes quite a fancy to Jack.
But other events in the Willis family provided the impetus for Jack and his cousin Tom Ellis (Jon Blake) to set out on a journey seeking adventure and gold. After months of unfruitful hard labour, they return dejectedly to Perth.
Hungry for revenge, Jack eventually confronts Esau. They fight, and Jack kills Esau in self-defence. He then seeks out Monica.
Based on the novel by DH Lawrence (from a story by Mollie Skinner) and adapted by Hugh Whitemore, this four-part miniseries was co-produced by Australia’s ABC with Britain’s Channel 4.
Jack Grant
Kenneth Branagh Monica Ellis
Sigrid Thornton Red Esau
Steve Bisley Tom Ellis
Jon Blake Mary
Celia De Burgh Mr George
John Frawley Dr Rackett
Alfred Bell Ma Ellis
Felicity Gordon Herbert
Richard Morgan Lennie
Paul Smith Katie
Sally McLennan Ross
Lou Brown Pa Ellis
Howard Bell Gran Ellis
Bunney Brooke Paddy
Ron Hackett Hilda Blessington
Kim Deacon Amos
Reg Lye Old Uncle Grant
Ralph Cotterill Mrs Grant
Lynne Murphy Mr Grant
Don Reid Father Prendy
Roger Carroll Danny McKinnon
Brian Anderson Boyd Blessington
Nicholas Lidstone
