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Doctor Doctor (Australian TV series)

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Doctor Doctor
Opening title
GenreDrama
Written by
  • Tony McNamara
  • Alice Bell
  • Tamara Asmar
  • Liz Doran
Directed by
Starring
Opening theme"Going Up the Country" by
Patience Hodgson
Composers
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes29 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Andy Ryan
  • Jo Rooney
Producers
Production locations
Running time45 minutes
Production companyEssential Media and Entertainment
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release14 September 2016 (2016-09-14) –
present

Doctor Doctor (also known outside of Australasia as The Heart Guy[1]) is an Australian television drama that premiered on the Nine Network on 14 September 2016.[2] It follows the story of Hugh Knight, a rising heart surgeon who is gifted, charming and infallible. He is a hedonist who, due to his sheer talent, believes he can live outside the rules. His "work hard, play harder" philosophy is about to come back and bite him.[3]

On 28 September 2016, Nine renewed the program for a second season after just two episodes having been aired.[4] On 11 October 2017, the series was renewed for a third season at Nine’s upfronts,[5] and will premiere on 6 August 2018.[6]

Premise

After a spectacular fall from grace, high-flying heart surgeon Dr Hugh Knight receives a life-changing punishment from the Medical Tribunal — he is forced to work for a year as a country GP in his former home town of Whyhope. Now the only way to salvage his brilliant career is to work as a lowly GP in an under-resourced, small-town hospital surrounded by estranged family, former friends, crazed colleagues, oddball patients, jealous brothers and a newlywed ex-girlfriend.

Cast

Main

Supporting

Production

Conception

The series entered pre-production in Early 2016, with executive producers Andy Ryan and Jo Rooney of the Nine Network and Ian Collie, Claudia Karvan and Tony McNamara of Essential Media and Entertainment. The Nine Network confirmed that Doctor Doctor would commence production in April 2016 with filming taking place in Sydney and country NSW.[7] In a statement, Nine's Head of Drama, Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan, commented "We are delighted to join forces with Essential Media & Entertainment on the irreverent new family drama series".[7] Inspiration for the series came from discussions that Tony McNamara had with lawyers who talked with him about the Impaired Registrants Program, a practice operated by the Medical Council of New South Wales, which seeks to ensure that medical practitioners are fit for practice and in doing so, the program manages doctors who suffer from a psychiatric illness, self-administration of drugs, alcohol abuse, and physical illness.[8] The series is produced by Essential Media and Entertainment and its first season created 800 jobs and production expenditure of $11.6 million in Sydney and Mudgee, as well as $300,000 in grants from Screen NSW.[9]

Casting

The casting director of Doctor Doctor is Kirsty McGregor, who has worked for casting on popular television series, such as Modern Family and Top of the Lake.[10] It was announced in early 2016 that Roger Corser had received the leading role in the series as heart surgeon, Hugh Knight, before the Nine Network has formally announced the series.[9] Corser was still appearing on the ABC drama series The Doctor Blake Mysteries, for with he only appeared in Season 4 in 2016, and of the role he said that "he [I] was enjoying playing a different style of character to those he [I] had previously played."[11] It was then confirmed that Nicole Da Silva would be cast in the role of Charlie Knight. Da Silva was currently filming the fourth season of Wentworth, appearing in for only six of the twelve episodes and in a supporting status, due to her new starring role in Doctor Doctor, she had to travel between Sydney and Melbourne switching between roles.[12] It also seen her reconnect with her former Rush co-star, Roger Corser.[13] In an early announcement, it was stated that additional supporting cast would consist of Ryan Johnson, Hayley McElhinney, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Tina Bursill, Chloe Bayliss and Dave Eastgate[7] It was later revealed that Steve Bisley would appear in the series as Jim Knight.

For the second season of Doctor Doctor, it was announced that Packed to the Rafters star Angus McLaren would join the cast as ex-army medic, Dr Toke, after a three-year hiatus from acting in television,[14] while it had also been confirmed that New Zealand actress, Brittany Scott Clark, formerly of soap opera Shortland Street, would portray Nurse Mia Holston.[15]

Ahead of Season 3, during a promo which screened in June 2018 on the Nine Network, it was revealed that the show would be losing a major character; in a spoiler, it was revealed to be Jim Knight. In May 2018, it was announced, that Steve Bisley would be return for the third season,[16] however, he only appeared in the opening episode.

Filming

The series is filmed on location in Mudgee, a town in the Central West of New South Wales, while the entirety of the hospital scenes are shot in the Sydney inner-city suburb of Rozelle, which is located in the city's inner-west. The filming of Knight's home was shot in Sydney's south-west section in the town of Camden. The regional setting for the series has proved to be beneficial for narrative and production purposes. It has been stated that in addition to $100,000 worth of support from the Regional Filming Fund, the regional setting delivers a unique authenticity to the series that it would otherwise lack.[8] Due to the success of the first season, The Knight's home, which was filmed in an actual house, was recreated within a disused wing of the building used to film the hospital scenes from the season season onwards; this was due to limited space in the original home.[17]

In 2017, Ian Collie departed Essential Media in order to establish his own production company, Easy Tiger Tiger, from which Doctor Doctor is currently produced under as of its second season. The company is majority owned by FremantleMedia.[18]

Theme song

The theme song is a cover version of the American band Canned Heat song Going Up the Country, performed by Patience Hodgson of the Australian indie/alternative rock band The Grates.[19] The song is not available for international airings of the series as the opening theme is replaced with the same instrumental music which is used over the end credits.

Broadcast

Doctor Doctor is broadcast on the Nine Network on Monday nights at 8.40 pm. It is also broadcast later in New Zealand on TVNZ 1.

The series, which is internationally re-titled as The Heart Guy and airs on PayTV broadcaster, Sky Deutschland for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.[1] In Norway the series are available on TV2 Sumo. The program is also available in the United States with the title The Heart Guy, where new episodes premiere on the streaming network Acorn TV[20]

In the United Kingdom, the series premiered on 8 April 2018 on Drama[21] where it is broadcast Sunday nights at 8 pm.[22] The second season premiered on 17 June 2018.[22] Drama has secured the rights to screen the third season,[22] although a premiere date has not yet been confirmed.

For catch-up streaming, It is available on demand from 9Now in Australia,[23] and is also on demand in the UK from UKTV Play.[24]

Persian expat Manoto aired the first season from October 2018 for Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Episodes

Main article: List of Doctor Doctor (Australian TV series) episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
11014 September 2016 (2016-09-14)16 November 2016 (2016-11-16)
21016 August 2017 (2017-08-16)18 October 2017 (2017-10-18)
3106 August 2018 (2018-08-06)8 October 2018 (2018-10-08)
4105 February 2020 (2020-02-05)13 May 2020 (2020-05-13)
5828 April 2021 (2021-04-28)23 June 2021 (2021-06-23)

Reception

Critical reception

Reviews for the series have been generally positive. In a review from Debi Enker for The Sydney Morning Herald, she stated that in contrast of other medical dramas it "Takes a different approach. It's gentler, funnier, and it's set in the country."[25] Steve Molk of DeciderTV mentioned that "Doctor Doctor is dependable, honest and sincere Aussie Drama with a full cast stronger than has been seen in a long time."[26] In a review for the online website, The Medium is Not Enough, the series was given a more mixed reception, when it was criticized for becoming more serious following the first episode with a mix of humour in turns; mentioning "If you're going to get serious then you need to do it consistently, not just in bits you like". However it was said of the series that "A decent enough show with potential that’s already been rewarded with a second season, Doctor Doctor nevertheless needs to look hard at what it wants to be in life if it’s to avoid losing patience."[27]

Award nominations

Doctor Doctor has been nominated for a total of 13 awards; in 2016, Kirsty McGregor was nominated for a Casting Guild of Australia Award (CGA) for Best Casting in a TV Drama,[28] while in 2017, at the AACTA Awards, Tina Bursill was nominated for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama.[29] The series received most of its nominations at the Logie Award, where Roger Corser has been nominated for the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television twice in 2017 and 2018,[30][31] as well as the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Actor in 2017 and 2018,[30][31] and the Silver Logie Award Most Outstanding Actor in a Series in 2017 and 2018,[30][31] while additional 2017 nominations consisted of Ryan Johnson for the Silver Logie Award for Most Outstanding Supporting Actor,[30] Shalom Brune-Franklin for the Silver Logie Award for Best New Talent[30] and the series itself for the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Drama Program,[30] and, additional 2018 nominations consisted of the series winning twice for the Logie Award for Most Popular Drama Program[31] and the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Drama Series.[31] The series has not yet been the recipient of any awards.

Home media

DVD Title Episodes Discs Release date Rating Additional
Region 1 Region 2 (Germany) Region 4 FSK ACB
Series 1
 10 3 29 September 2017[32] 25 August 2017[33] 23 November 2016[34] 12 MA15+[35]


  • 3-disc set
  • Released as "The Heart Guy" in United States and Germany
  • Also available as part of "Doctor Doctor: Series 1 & 2" set (Region 4, released 6 December 2017)[36]
Series 2
 10 3 26 June 2018[37] 23 March 2018[38] 6 December 2017[39] 12 M[40]


  • 3-disc set
  • Released as "The Heart Guy" in United States and Germany
  • Also available as part of "Doctor Doctor: Series 1 & 2" set (Region 4, released 6 December 2017)[36]
Series 3 10 3 TBA TBA 3 November 2018[41] TBA TBA

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Knox, David (31 May 2017). "Doctor Doctor sells to Europe as 'The Heart Guy'". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Airdate: Doctor Doctor". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  3. ^ Knox, David (7 March 2016). "Nine announces cast for Doctor Doctor". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  4. ^ Knox, David (28 September 2016). "Renewed: Doctor Doctor". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  5. ^ Knox, David (11 October 2017). "Renewals underpin Nine's 2018 slate". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Doctor Doctor". Facebook. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "Nine, Essential Media series Doctor Doctor in pre-production". If.com.au. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  8. ^ a b Barrett, Dan "New Nine series Doctor Doctor is no joke". Mediaweek.com.au. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  9. ^ a b Knox, David (3 December 2015). "Doctor Doctor new drama coming to Nine". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Television". Mcgregorcasting.com. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  11. ^ Domjen, Briana"Rodger Corser hopes Doctor Doctor will be renewed for second season after strong debut". Couriermail.com.au. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  12. ^ Harvey, Kerry (22 May 2017). "Doctor Doctor's Nicole da Silva on balancing feisty Franky and warm Charlie". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  13. ^ Dunk, Tiffany "Nicole da Silva's role in Channel Nine's new drama Doctor Doctor is a far cry from Wentworth". Dailytelegraph.com.au. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Ex Rafters star turned WAAPA grad makes TV return". Thewest.com.au. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Kiwi nurse hits up Aussie show Doctor Doctor". Spy.nzherald.co.nz. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  16. ^ David, Knox (4 July 2018). "Doctor Doctor cast spoiler ahead". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  17. ^ Cooper, Nathaniel (14 August 2017). "Doctors and curses: life gets complicated in a new season of Nine's medico drama". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  18. ^ Knox, David (12 September 2017). "Essential producer sets up Easy Tiger Productions". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  19. ^ "DOCTOR DOCTOR - Opening Title Design". Vimeo. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Acorn TV | The Heart Guy". Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  21. ^ Knox, David (12 January 2018). "UK picks up Doctor Doctor". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  22. ^ a b c "The Heart Guy (Doctor Doctor)". Geektown.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  23. ^ "Doctor Doctor". 9Now. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  24. ^ "The Heart Guy". uktvplay.uktv.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  25. ^ Enker, Debi "Doctor Doctor sees the return of rural medical drama to Australian TV". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  26. ^ Molk, Steve "REVIEW: Is there a DOCTOR DOCTOR in the house?". DeciderTV. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  27. ^ Buckley, Rob "Third-episode verdict: Doctor Doctor (Australia: Nine)". The-medium-is-not-enough.com. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  28. ^ "Nominees unveiled for Casting Guild of Australia Awards". If Magazine. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  29. ^ "7th AACTA Awards". aacta.org. Retrieved 24 July 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  30. ^ a b c d e f Spencer, Ashley"Logie Awards 2017: Complete list of nominees include Jessica Marais, Rodger Corser & more!". thefix.nine.com.au. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  31. ^ a b c d e Ryan, Aine"thefix.nine.com.au". thefix.nine.com.au. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  32. ^ "The Heart Guy: Series 1 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  33. ^ "The Heart Guy - Staffel 1 [3 DVDs]". Amazon.de. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  34. ^ "Doctor Doctor Series 1 on DVD". dvdorchard.com.au. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  35. ^ "DOCTOR DOCTOR - SEASON 1(DVD)". Classification.gov.au. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  36. ^ a b "Doctor Doctor - Season 1 & 2". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  37. ^ "The Heart Guy: Series 2 DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  38. ^ "The Heart Guy - Staffel 2 [3 DVDs]". Amazon.de. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  39. ^ "Doctor Doctor - Season 2". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  40. ^ "DOCTOR DOCTOR - SEASON 2 (DVD)". Classification.gov.au. 26 October 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  41. ^ "Doctor Doctor - Complete Season 3". dvdland.com.au. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
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