In an attempt to repeat the commercial success of their 1978 drama series Against The Wind, Channel Seven and writers Ian Jones and Bronwyn Binns turned to the true story of Australia’s most famous bushranger with John Jarratt starred in the lead role.
Considered to be the most historically accurate depiction of the Ned Kelly story ever made, this four-part mini-series portrayed his childhood and apprenticeship with bushranger Harry Power, the formation of the Kelly Gang, the shoot-out at Stringybark Creek, the hold-ups and years on the run.
The story culminates in the siege at Glenrowan, Kelly’s trial and his inevitable fate at the end of the hangman’s rope in Melbourne Gaol.
Other main characters include Joe Byrne (Steve Bisley); Ned’s cousin and most formidable supporter, Tom Lloyd (Lewis Fitz-Gerald); youngest Kelly son, Dan (John Ley); Dan’s loyal mate Steve Hart (Ric Herbert), a young jockey and unlikely outlaw; flash and eccentric Irishman Aaron Sherritt (Peter Hehir), who was Joe Byrne’s lifelong friend but destined to unwittingly destroy the Kelly gang; 15-year-old Maggie Kelly (Debra Lawrence), the gangling head of the Kelly household who becomes a child bride; beautiful Kate Kelly (Sigrid Thornton) who catches the eye of young Irish policeman Constable Fitzpatrick (Adrian Wright); and the family matriarch, Mrs Kelly (Elaine Cusick), a small, lean, indomitable woman who married American George King (Paul Mason).
Each episode is feature film length, so the story is covered with magnificent detail.
Ned Kelly
John Jarratt Joe Byrne
Steve Bisley Mrs Kelly
Elaine Kussack Dan Kelly
John Ley Steve Hart
Ric Herbert Aaron Sherritt
Peter Hehir Maggie Kelly
Debra Lawrance Kate Kelly
Sigrid Thornton Tom Lloyd
Lewis Fitz-Gerald Sgt. Steele
Tim Elliott George King
Paul Mason Harry Power
Gerard Kennedy Annie
Jacki Kerin Jim
Paul Trahair Grace
Kaarin Fairfax Jack Lloyd
Les Dayman Wild Wright
David Bradshaw Father O’Shea
John Murphy Supt. Nicholson
John Stone Const. Fitzpatrick
Adrian Wright James Whitty
John Nash Supt. Sadleir
Norman Kaye Catherine Lloyd
Celia De Burgh Mrs Byrne
Jackie Kelleher Supt. Hare
Anthony Hawkins Capt. Standish
Paul Clarkson Det. Ward
Frank Gallacher Mr Scott
Peter Stratford Mrs Scott
Julia Blake Const. Alexander
Howard Eynon Belle
Kim Trengove Helen
Lulu Pinkus Const. Hall
Steve Millichamp Sgt. Babbington
Stewart Faichney Jack McMonigle
Kevin Summers Dummy Wright
Peter Scollin Sgt. Kennedy
Roderick Williams Const. McIntyre
Nick Waters Const. Lonigan
Terry Gill Const. Scanlon
Bill Stacey Ben Gould
Rod Densley Gloster
Ernie Bourne Tennant
Charles Gilroy Const. Richards
Peter Curtin Living
James Wright Mrs Devine
Anne Scott-Pendlebury Tarleton
Warwick Randall Rankin
Andrew Gilmour Jane
Ann Henderson-Stires Mrs Jones
Patsy Dance Father Gibney
John Lee Dean Donaghy
Malcolm Steed Const. Arthur
Matthew King Curnow
Paul Young Kate Byrne
Mary Charleston Mrs Barry
Jane Coghlan Mrs Fitzgerald
Janet Lord
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