Matlock Police (1971)
The landmark Australian rural police drama that brought small-town Victoria to life across six seasons and 229 episodes.
Matlock Police - Series Information
- Original Title: Matlock Police
- First Air Year: 1971
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 229
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: 10
- Production Countries: Australia
Matlock Police - Plot
Matlock Police is an Australian television police drama series made by Crawford Productions for the 0-10 Network between 1970 and 1975. The series was the 0-10 Network's attempt to come up with a police show to rival Homicide and Division 4. Matlock Police was different from its Melbourne-based predecessors by being set in a small country town, the fictional Matlock, Victoria. Series writers had a reference manual giving full details of the town's geography, amenities, social structure, etc., as well as that of the surrounding area - neighbouring towns included Wilga, Chinaman's Creek, Possum's Creek and Burrabri, and there was an offshoot of the Great Dividing Range called the Candowies. The town's colourful history included the local Aboriginal tribe, the town founder, a gold rush, a bushranger and a town patriarchy. About the only landmark the Matlock district lacked for dramatic purposes was a beach.
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Matlock Police - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Paul Cronin
- Vic Gordon
- Michael Pate
- Grigor Taylor
- Tom Richards
- David Atkins
- John Edwards
- Shirley Smith
- Patrick Ward
- Judy Ferris
Writers
- Sonia Borg
- Phil Freedman
Matlock Police - FAQs
What is Matlock Police about?
Matlock Police follows the officers of a small country police station in the fictional town of Matlock, Victoria, Australia. Produced by Crawford Productions for the 0-10 Network, it distinguished itself from city-based rivals by exploring rural law enforcement, local history, and the social fabric of a tight-knit regional community.
How many seasons and episodes does Matlock Police have?
Matlock Police ran for 6 seasons and 229 episodes in total. Season 1 had 41 episodes, Season 2 had 43, Season 3 had 47, Season 4 had 42, Season 5 had 40, and Season 6 wrapped the series with 16 episodes.
Who are the main actors in Matlock Police?
The principal cast includes Paul Cronin as Sen. Const. Gary Hogan, Vic Gordon as Sgt. Bert Kennedy, Michael Pate as Det. Snr. Sgt. Vic Maddern, Grigor Taylor as Sen. Det. Alan Curtis, Tom Richards as Sen. Det. Steve York, David Atkins as Ray Miller, Shirley Smith as Betty Parker, and Patrick Ward as Ed King.
When did Matlock Police first air?
Matlock Police first aired in 1971 on the 0-10 Network in Australia. Production by Crawford Productions had begun in 1970, and the series ran until 1976, spanning six seasons across its entire broadcast run.
Is Matlock Police based on a real town?
No — Matlock is an entirely fictional Victorian country town invented for the series. The writers developed a detailed reference manual covering the town's geography, history, social structure, neighbouring settlements, and even a local Aboriginal heritage, a gold rush, and a bushranger legend to give stories an authentic regional feel.
How did Matlock Police differ from other Australian police dramas?
Unlike Crawford Productions' Melbourne-set predecessors Homicide and Division 4, Matlock Police was deliberately set in a small rural community. That shift to country Victoria gave the show a distinct identity, exploring the unique pressures and personalities of regional policing rather than the grittier urban crime of its city-based rivals.
What network aired Matlock Police in Australia?
Matlock Police aired on the 0-10 Network, now known as Network 10, in Australia. It was one of the network's flagship drama productions of the early 1970s, created specifically to compete with the popular police dramas already established on rival Australian broadcasters.
What are some shows similar to Matlock Police?
If Matlock Police appeals to you, consider Vigil, The Tower, or Furia for gripping procedural drama, or Shoresy and SkyMed for character-driven ensemble storytelling. Matlock (2024) shares the name and a legal-drama spirit, while Tomorrow Is Ours and Valle salvaje offer compelling long-running serial drama in a similar vein.
More About Matlock Police
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