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Halifax f.p.

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Halifax f.p.
GenreCrime
Created byRoger Simpson
StarringRebecca Gibney
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes21
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Roger Le Mesurier
  • Roger Simpson
Running time90 to 120 minutes
Production companyBeyond Simpson Le Mesurier
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release9 October 1994 (1994-10-09) –
  • 7 July 2002 (2002-07-07)
    (original series)
  • 25 August 2020 (2020-08-25)
    (revival)

Halifax f.p. is an Australian television crime series produced by Nine Network from 1994 to 2002. The series stars Rebecca Gibney as Doctor Jane Halifax, a forensic psychiatrist investigating cases involving the mental state of suspects or victims. The series is set in Melbourne.

The show was a series of 21 television films, between 90 and 102 minutes each, with a new "episode" airing every few months during its eight-year run. The series aired in more than 60 countries.

The producers of the film were Beyond Simpson Le Mesurier; Australian Film Finance Corporation and aired on the Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd. The budget for each episode was an average of AU$1.3 million. Funding came in part from the Australian Film Finance Corporation and Film Victoria.[1]

Background

The series follows the career of Dr. Jane Halifax (Rebecca Gibney), a forensic psychiatrist. Her qualifications in the series are listed as MBBS (Melb.) and FRANZCP. Halifax is Melbourne-based and is shown living at Jensen House on Swanston Street opposite the State Library of Victoria. Her offices are shown as located in Causeway House on Little Collins Street. An only child, her mother lives alone, and her deceased father was a barrister who enjoyed magic as a hobby.

In episodes 1-9, she owns and drives a Jaguar Mark 2 (although she drives a modern convertible in episode 8). In episode 1, a book she wrote as an undergraduate (The Preppie Rapist) is mentioned in a court case where she appears as an expert. In episode 5, Halifax mentions returning from a stint in the US helping out the FBI. In episode 6, it is mentioned that she was 'burnt' by a relationship she had with a married professor while studying in the US.

Episodes

Note: Telemovies listed chronologically by year, with release dates by the Australian Television archive.[2]

1994

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Acts of Betrayal"Paul MoloneyRoger Simpson9 November 1994 (1994-11-09)
The series commences with Halifax acting as an expert witness at the State Court in the murder case of an upcoming politician. A psychology colleague and ex- boyfriend (Andrew McFarlane) becomes romantically involved with a patient (Sophie Lee) who is run over and killed by his car in front of his practice. He confesses to Halifax his affair then requests patient-client confidentiality and her help, which becomes problematic when the police begin to suspect his involvement after learning of the victim's pregnancy. However, after trying to deflect blame on his patient's boyfriend, he finally admits to the killing and suicides off a beach cliff to protect his family.

1995

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
21"Words Without Music"Mike SmithDavid Boutland22 March 1995 (1995-03-22)
Halifax travels to HM Prison Campaspe to assess a prisoner on behalf of the parole board. Unconvinced by his reform and conversion to Christianity, she recommends denying him to the board who are in favour of his release. Meanwhile, at a nearby private grammar school for boys, Halifax is asked to provide grief counselling after the untimely death of a senior teacher (Adrian Wright). Halifax, aided by the local police sergeant (John Walton), uncovers the deceased's rivalry with another teacher (Nicholas Eadie) for the principal's job. The murder of a student, however, leads her to uncover an Illuminati-style student group and a troubled student willing to kill to keep their secrets safe.
32"The Feeding"Steve JodrellMac Gudgeon26 April 1995 (1995-04-26)
Halifax is called in to assist the police team set up to deal with the 'Make-up serial killer' after the death of seven women in six months. The Premier of Victoria (Peter Adams), aware of the PR implications of the case, also has a rogue cop from Sydney (Steve Bisley), brought in to apply his unorthodox approaches to the hunt too. The newcomer quickly detects an unusual lanolin smell on the victims though his instinct-based approaches soon lead to tension with the science-based Halifax. A mentally unstable suspect (Frances O'Connor) is soon apprehended and Halifax is able to uncover a sad history of incest and abuse within her family, leading to a fatal showdown at the Goldsbrough Mort Woolstore.
43"My Lovely Girl"Brendan MaherDavid Boutland26 April 1995 (1995-04-26)
A former patient of Halifax's colleague (Paul Sonkkila) brutally kills a nurse, sparking a media debate about the early release of mentally ill criminals. The spotlight then moves to Halifax's ex-patient (Ben Mendelsohn), now a music student, and his girlfriend (Amanda Douge), a fellow student at the conservatory. The presenter of City Tonight (Robert Hughes), stirs the debate and invites Halifax onto his show but ambushes her by also inviting the parents of the woman Halifax's patient killed. Halifax works to help her patient cope with the stress of the media attention and consequent relationship troubles, and exposes the victim's sister's (Radha Mitchell) scheme to unbalance him to kill again.
54"Hard Corps"Michael CarsonRoger Simpson14 June 1995 (1995-06-14)
Beneath the West Gate Bridge, an informant is fatally shot by the police. The officers involved are soon interviewed by internal investigations (Tim Robertson; Peter Hardy) nicknamed "the toecutters". One officer (Colin Friels) is quickly suspected, given his involvement in two previous shootings and connections with a known crime boss. The other, a husband and father of two, is deeply traumatised by the killing, particularly given his upcoming role as a witness against the crime boss. Halifax is called in by police PR to help IA sort the truths from deceptions. As the case develops, it is clear that both men are not telling the whole truth, and that an affair with the wife (Belinda McClory) may actually be the reason behind the shooting.
65"Lies of the Mind"Michael OfferJan Sardi19 July 1995 (1995-07-19)
Halifax is asked to analyse whether or not a suspect (Jacqueline McKenzie) is psychologically fit to stand trial in the murder of her wealthy father and stepmother - where an insanity decision would free her to claim an $80m inheritance. The suspect's psychologist (Marshall Napier) is convinced she suffers from Multiple personality disorder (MPD) with 12 visible personas. One of the detectives investigating the case (Richard Roxburgh) is an ex-patient of Halifax and their sexual attraction leads to complications. In court, the accused claims to be a victim of paternal sexual abuse, something his PA and lover (Angela Punch McGregor) vehemently denies. Despite being attacked, Halifax begins to doubt MPD in favour of False memory syndrome (FMS).

1996

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
71"Without Consent"Michael OfferDavid Boutland14 February 1996 (1996-02-14)
Halifax is visited by an old uni friend (Brett Climo), a photographer, who stays at her apartment. Meanwhile, a convicted rapist (Steve Jacobs), released provisionally on parole, is suspected of recommencing his crime spree based on MO similarities. After being questioned by a no-nonsense detective (Gary Day), he seeks help from Halifax, who has been asked to determine his parole eligibility. One of the original rape victims (Annie Jones) becomes involved, when she tails the rapist seeking justice. The suspect is supported by a restaurant owner, though with time, he becomes increasingly abusive to both her and Halifax. A copycat rapist is caught, who is revealed as the cellmate and lover of the suspect, who then dies after attacking his former victim.
82"Sweet Dreams"Steve JodrellMac Gudgeon7 July 1996 (1996-07-07)
The rogue cop from Sydney, Jonah Cole (Steve Bisley), returns to Melbourne after fleeing south from the NSW Police. He is followed there by his ex-partner from homicide (Peter Hosking) and a detective inspector from the drug squad (Max Phipps). Cole, convinced that his drug squad partner was killed by corrupt police such as the DI, seeks out Halifax, and uses her to access his former 'gig' or informant (Beth Buchanan), who was often given drugs as payment. He is further unhinged by a child homicide, creating flashbacks to the death of his 8-year-old sister. After his ex-partner and the informant are both found dead by overdoses, even Halifax begins to suspect him of deadly paranoia. However, in the end, his continued probing in the case forces the corrupt DI to try and silence him.
93"Cradle and All"Paul MoloneyKatherine Thompson11 September 1996 (1996-09-11)
A stalker (Ian Bliss), driving a Ford pickup, runs Halifax's mother (Robyn Nevin) off the road after mistaking her for her daughter. Later, Halifax starts to receive flowers, cards, and faxes, as well as unwelcome phone-calls. Eventually, the stalker breaks into her office, assaults her PA, and stages a faked elevator rescue. Meanwhile, Halifax is asked by a lawyer (Andrew Blackman) to analyse a stressed mother who had admitted guilt to police in a complex infanticide case. Her research work is not helped given the aggressive and abusive nature of the woman's partner. However, when the partner dies in a fire, the mother retracts her confession. Halifax then learns that the baby's older sister, in a disassociative state, was responsible for both crimes.

1997

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
101"Déjà Vu"Paul MoloneySusan Hore19 October 1997 (1997-10-19)

1998

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
111"Isn’t It Romantic"David CaesarKatherine Thompson19 July 1998 (1998-07-19)
122"Afraid of the Dark"Steve JodrellRoger Simpson6 September 1998 (1998-09-06)

1999

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
131"Someone You Know"Peter AndrikidisDavid Boutland27 June 1999 (1999-06-27)
142"A Murder of Crows"Steve JodrellPeter Gawler15 August 1999 (1999-08-15)
153"Swimming with Sharks"Brendan MaherKeith Thompson26 September 1999 (1999-09-26)

2000

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
161"A Person of Interest"Ken CameronAnne Brooksbank11 June 2000 (2000-06-11)
172"The Spider and the Fly"Mark PiperPeter Gawler27 August 2000 (2000-08-27)
183"A Hate Worse Than Death"Paul MoloneyRoger Simpson5 November 2000 (2000-11-05)

2001

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
191"The Scorpion’s Kiss"Peter GawlerPaul Moloney21 October 2001 (2001-10-21)
202"Playing God"Lynn HegartyMac Gudgeon25 November 2001 (2001-11-25)

2002

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
211"Takes Two"Ken CameronKatherine Thomson7 July 2002 (2002-07-07)

Halifax: Retribution

Halifax: Retribution is a continuation sequel to the original Halifax f.p. series, the series which premiered on 25 August 2020 on the Nine Network.[3] Gibney returns as Doctor Jane Halifax who, after years as a university professor, is brought back into the forensic psychiatrist field to help the police task force find a new serial killer. The series is again set in Melbourne.


Halifax: Retribution
Genre
Created byRoger Simpson
Written by
  • Roger Simpson
Directed by
Starring
ComposerCezary Skubiszewski
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Roger Simpson
  • Louisa Kors
CinematographyGeoff Hall
Editors
  • Stephen Evans
  • Ben Joss
Running time48 minutes
Production companyBeyond Lonehand
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release25 August 2020 (2020-08-25)

In November 2018, Nine announced it would be reviving the series, set to air in 2020 titled Halifax: Retribution, with Roger Simpson returning as writer and producer, alongside executive producer Mikael Borglund and writers Mac Gudgeon and Jan Sardi; it would be produced by Beyond Lonehand, a joint venture between Simpson and Beyond Productions.[4][5]

In July 2019, it was announced that Anthony LaPaglia and Jessica Marais would be joining the series, along with Jacqueline McKenzie, Rick Donald, Hannah Monson, Craig Hall, Mavournee Hazel and Louisa Mignone.[6][7] In September 2019, Marais dropped out of the series due to her work schedule and personal commitments.[8] Claudia Karvan was a late addition to the cast list; she was known to the directors and had worked onscreen with Gibney in the telemovie, Small Claims (2004), and its two sequels.[9] The first promo for the series premiered in April 2020 along with announcement of more cast members.[10]

Cast

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateAus. viewers
221"Episode 1"Mark JoffeRoger Simpson25 August 2020 (2020-08-25)544,000[11]
469,000[11]
For the past 20 years, Jane Halifax has enjoyed a life as a university professor, been in a stable and loving long-term relationship with her musician partner Ben, and a loving stepmother to his daughter Zoe. However, the case of a serial killer who is terrorising Melbourne lures her back to the job she left behind as the case suddenly gets very personal.
232"Episode 2"Fiona BanksJane Allen1 September 2020 (2020-09-01)479,000[12]
As the shooter claims two more victims, Jane Halifax suspects a killer from her past is responsible for her husband's murder.
243"Episode 3"Fiona BanksStuart Page8 September 2020 (2020-09-08)505,000[13]
The Task Force infiltrates a group of far-right extremists over the ongoing sniper attacks. Jane is suspicious of Mandy's growing involvement in Zoe's life.
254"Episode 4"Peter SalmonJane Allen15 September 2020 (2020-09-15)508,000[14]
Jane makes contact with Task Force's prime suspect, as the Task Force discovers a vital clue linking Ben's murder to the serial killer.
265"Episode 5"Peter SalmonStuart Page22 September 2020 (2020-09-22)517,000[15]
The Sniper's campaign of terror escalates when he targets the Police Minister and delivers an ultimatum to the entire city; Jane's investigation into Ben's murder takes an unexpected turn.
276"Episode 6"Daniel NettheimChris Corbett29 September 2020 (2020-09-29)496,000[16]
Jane discovers the true identity of the serial killer terrorising the city. Task Force boss Tom Saracen is critically injured in an ambush.
287"Episode 7"Daniel NettheimChris Corbett6 October 2020 (2020-10-06)577,000[17]
Jane Halifax confronts the shooter as he prepares for an attack on the entire city; Mandy confesses to the shocking truth behind Ben's killing.

Ratings

No. Title Air date Overnight ratings Consolidated ratings Total
viewers 		Ref(s)
Viewers Rank Viewers Rank
1 "Episode 1" 25 August 2020 544,000
469,000		 15
17		 106,000
127,000		 13
14		 650,000
596,000 		[11][18]
2 "Episode 2" 1 September 2020 479,000 17 184,000 12 663,000 [12][19]
3 "Episode 3" 8 September 2020 505,000 16 169,000 10 674,000 [13][20]
4 "Episode 4" 15 September 2020 508,000 14 148,000 10 656,000 [14][21]
5 "Episode 5" 22 September 2020 517,000 13 171,000 10 688,000 [15][22]
6 "Episode 6" 29 September 2020 496,000 13 181,000 10 677,000 [16][23]
7 "Episode 7" 6 October 2020 577,000 9 143,000 7 720,000 [17][24]

Home media

DVD name Format Ep # Discs Region 4 (Australia) Special Features Distributors
Halifax F.P. (My Lovely Girl) DVD N/A 04 1 January 2000 None Beyond Home Entertainment
Halifax F.P. (Dangerous Minds Series 02) DVD N/A 04 1 January 2000 None Beyond Home Entertainment
Halifax F.P. (Case Files #4) DVD N/A 03 11 November 2007 None Beyond Home Entertainment
Halifax F.P. (Case Files Box Set) DVD 21 12 2 March 2011 None Beyond Home Entertainment
Halifax F.P. (Complete Collection) DVD 21 12 2 May 2018 None Beyond Home Entertainment
Halifax F.P. (Case Files 1) DVD N/A 05 3 April 2019 None Beyond Home Entertainment
Halifax F.P. (Case Files 2) DVD N/A 06 3 April 2019 None Beyond Home Entertainment

See also

References

  1. ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p72
  2. ^ "Episode Guide: Halifax f.p." Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  3. ^ Knox, David (10 August 2020). "Airdate: Halifax: Retribution". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Nine revives Halifax". TV Tonight. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Nine revives 'Halifax f.p.' with Rebecca Gibney". if. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Star studded cast join Rebecca Gibney on Nine's HALIFAX: RETRIBUTION". TV Black Box. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Gibney, LaPaglia, Marais for Halifax: Retribution". TV Tonight. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Jessica Marais drops out of Halifax: Retribution". TV Tonight. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. ^ Knox, Paul (8 September 2020). "11th Hour for Halifax Role". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Nine teases Halifax: Retribution". TV Tonight. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b c Knox, David (26 August 2020). "Tuesday 25 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b Knox, David (2 September 2020). "Tuesday 1 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  13. ^ a b Knox, David (9 September 2020). "Tuesday 8 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  14. ^ a b Knox, David (16 September 2020). "Tuesday 15 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  15. ^ a b Knox, David (23 September 2020). "Tuesday 22 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  16. ^ a b Knox, David (23 September 2020). "Tuesday 22 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  17. ^ a b Knox, David (7 October 2020). "Tuesday 6 October 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  18. ^ Knox, David (4 September 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 25 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  19. ^ Knox, David (11 September 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 1 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  20. ^ Knox, David (18 September 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 8 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  21. ^ Knox, David (25 September 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 15 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  22. ^ Knox, David (2 October 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 22 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  23. ^ Knox, David (9 October 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 29 September 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  24. ^ Knox, David (16 October 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 6 October 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
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