Wild Boys
Encyclopedia
Wild Boys is an Australian television period drama
series that began airing on the Seven Network
on 4 September, 2011. It is produced by Julie McGauran and Sarah Smith from Southern Star and John Holmes. The series is set in and around the fictional town of Hopetoun, and principally filmed in Wilberforce
on the Hawkesbury
, Nelson
, and Glenworth Valley, on the New South Wales
Central Coast
.
The series will not be returning for a second season due to falling ratings.
, power and government corruption, set against the backdrop of an 1860s penal system. The wild colonial boys Jack, Dan, Conrad and Captain Gunpowder are determined to keep ahead of the troopers or wind up at the end of a noose.
The Pilot episode establishes the character of Jack Keenan (Daniel MacPherson
) and his friend Dan Sinclair (Michael Dorman
). They manage to be quite successful in their robberies and target those travelling by horse and cart as they usually carry with them a large amount of valuables. One such robbery attempt proves to be unsuccessful and another bushranger (who is usually at heads with the morals of Jack and Dan) assists them but lets his identity slip and is later hunted down by the police and killed. It is also revealed that the man they targeted on this robbery is the new Police Superintendent Francis Fuller (Jeremy Sims
) and he wants to kill Jack and Dan at any cost. Jack returns back to Town and stays at the Inn owned and run by a fierce business woman Mary Barrett (Zoe Ventoura
) and it is revealed that they are in are in a relationship. Mary however it angry at Jack as it revealed that he hasn't been back for about three months and hasn't had an contact with her leaving her worried. In the mean time Francis is frantically looking for Jack and Dan. Mary finding out that Francis is heading towards the Inn helps them escape. However Francis managed to ambush Jack and Dan on another robbery attempt and they are captured. On the way to their trial at court Francis decided he will instead kill Jack, Dan and an innocent stable hand Conrad Fischer (Alex England) who is arrested under the pretence that he stole a horse. He wishes to eliminate Conrad as he uncovers that Emelia Fife (Anna Hutchison
), the Mayor's daughter has feelings for Conrad and Francis too likes her. When the three men realise that they are about to be killed, they escape from the cart, hijack the horses and run off. In order to pay for new arms and guns to survive they decide to return back to town and rob the police station itself after realising that the police officer's pay is stored there and will only be distributed the following morning. Conrad refuses to held them claiming that he is not a bushranger and will not take part in criminal activities but when he sees that they are in trouble he creates a diversion and saves them. Hence the boys decide to give him a part of their earnings and he decides to go try his luck with the Gold Rush and heads off away from town as it is now unsafe to return. Emelia is informed by Francis that Conrad has been killed and she is distraught and knows that Francis accused him due to his anger that she rejected him. However Conrad later visits her before departure and they both admit their feelings for each other and Conrad tells her that he will return for her and will try and strike it rich at the gold mines. Dan too decides to take a break for a few days and meet up later with Jack. Jack heads off to a another family house who offer him a place to stay and a warm meal however later that night he hears screaming only to see the head of the family killed and as he walks out to take a look he is shot and knocked out by a masked figure.
Costume drama
A costume drama or period drama is a period piece in which elaborate costumes, sets and properties are featured in order to capture the ambiance of a particular era.The term is usually used in the context of film and television...
series that began airing on the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
on 4 September, 2011. It is produced by Julie McGauran and Sarah Smith from Southern Star and John Holmes. The series is set in and around the fictional town of Hopetoun, and principally filmed in Wilberforce
Wilberforce, New South Wales
Wilberforce is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, in the local government area of the City of Hawkesbury. It is just beyond the outer suburbs of north-west Sydney and lies on the western bank of the Hawkesbury River.-History:...
on the Hawkesbury
Hawkesbury River
The Hawkesbury River, also known as Deerubbun, is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.-Geography:-Course:...
, Nelson
Nelson, New South Wales
Nelson is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Nelson is located 42 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of The Hills Shire and is part of the Hills District.-External links:...
, and Glenworth Valley, on the New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Central Coast
Central Coast
-California:* Central Coast Region of California, in California, United States*Monterey County, California*San Luis Obispo County, California*Santa Barbara County, California*Big Sur*Hearst Castle-Canada:...
.
The series will not be returning for a second season due to falling ratings.
Plot
Wild Boys is a story about bushrangersBushranger
Bushrangers, or bush rangers, originally referred to runaway convicts in the early years of the British settlement of Australia who had the survival skills necessary to use the Australian bush as a refuge to hide from the authorities...
, power and government corruption, set against the backdrop of an 1860s penal system. The wild colonial boys Jack, Dan, Conrad and Captain Gunpowder are determined to keep ahead of the troopers or wind up at the end of a noose.
The Pilot episode establishes the character of Jack Keenan (Daniel MacPherson
Daniel MacPherson
Daniel Donald MacPherson is an Australian actor and television presenter, best known for his roles as; Joel Samuels on Neighbours, PC Cameron Tait on British police drama The Bill, and Detective Senior Constable Simon Joyner in City Homicide...
) and his friend Dan Sinclair (Michael Dorman
Michael Dorman
Michael Dorman is a New Zealand actor based in Australia, best known for his work on the television series, The Secret Life of Us and his supporting work in such acclaimed films as Suburban Mayhem and West.-Filmography:...
). They manage to be quite successful in their robberies and target those travelling by horse and cart as they usually carry with them a large amount of valuables. One such robbery attempt proves to be unsuccessful and another bushranger (who is usually at heads with the morals of Jack and Dan) assists them but lets his identity slip and is later hunted down by the police and killed. It is also revealed that the man they targeted on this robbery is the new Police Superintendent Francis Fuller (Jeremy Sims
Jeremy Sims
-Personal life:He was educated at Wesley College, Perth, 1977–83. Sims was married to film director Samantha Lang. They have two daughters, Frederique and Evelyn Rose.-Career:...
) and he wants to kill Jack and Dan at any cost. Jack returns back to Town and stays at the Inn owned and run by a fierce business woman Mary Barrett (Zoe Ventoura
Zoe Ventoura
Zoe Ventoura is an Australian actress. In early life she attended Penrhos College in Perth, Western Australia. Ventoura is best known for portraying Melissa Rafter in Packed to the Rafters...
) and it is revealed that they are in are in a relationship. Mary however it angry at Jack as it revealed that he hasn't been back for about three months and hasn't had an contact with her leaving her worried. In the mean time Francis is frantically looking for Jack and Dan. Mary finding out that Francis is heading towards the Inn helps them escape. However Francis managed to ambush Jack and Dan on another robbery attempt and they are captured. On the way to their trial at court Francis decided he will instead kill Jack, Dan and an innocent stable hand Conrad Fischer (Alex England) who is arrested under the pretence that he stole a horse. He wishes to eliminate Conrad as he uncovers that Emelia Fife (Anna Hutchison
Anna Hutchison
Anna Hutchison is a New Zealand actress. She is known for her roles on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and American series Power Rangers: Jungle Fury...
), the Mayor's daughter has feelings for Conrad and Francis too likes her. When the three men realise that they are about to be killed, they escape from the cart, hijack the horses and run off. In order to pay for new arms and guns to survive they decide to return back to town and rob the police station itself after realising that the police officer's pay is stored there and will only be distributed the following morning. Conrad refuses to held them claiming that he is not a bushranger and will not take part in criminal activities but when he sees that they are in trouble he creates a diversion and saves them. Hence the boys decide to give him a part of their earnings and he decides to go try his luck with the Gold Rush and heads off away from town as it is now unsafe to return. Emelia is informed by Francis that Conrad has been killed and she is distraught and knows that Francis accused him due to his anger that she rejected him. However Conrad later visits her before departure and they both admit their feelings for each other and Conrad tells her that he will return for her and will try and strike it rich at the gold mines. Dan too decides to take a break for a few days and meet up later with Jack. Jack heads off to a another family house who offer him a place to stay and a warm meal however later that night he hears screaming only to see the head of the family killed and as he walks out to take a look he is shot and knocked out by a masked figure.
Cast
- Daniel MacPhersonDaniel MacPhersonDaniel Donald MacPherson is an Australian actor and television presenter, best known for his roles as; Joel Samuels on Neighbours, PC Cameron Tait on British police drama The Bill, and Detective Senior Constable Simon Joyner in City Homicide...
as Jack Keenan - Zoe VentouraZoe VentouraZoe Ventoura is an Australian actress. In early life she attended Penrhos College in Perth, Western Australia. Ventoura is best known for portraying Melissa Rafter in Packed to the Rafters...
as Mary Barrett - Michael DormanMichael DormanMichael Dorman is a New Zealand actor based in Australia, best known for his work on the television series, The Secret Life of Us and his supporting work in such acclaimed films as Suburban Mayhem and West.-Filmography:...
as Dan Sinclair - David FieldDavid Field (actor)David Field is an Australian actor who has appeared on television and in films. Some of the films he appeared in include Chopper, Two Hands and Gettin' Square. His most notable roles are as Keithy in Chopper and as Acko in Two Hands...
as Captain Gunpowder - Nathaniel DeanNathaniel DeanNathaniel Dean is an Australian actor and NIDA graduate, with a range of television credits that include: Home and Away , Always Greener , Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars , All Saints , Rain Shadow , Underbelly and Rush .He plays NickScandlon in WildboysDean is also an Australian movie actor, with...
as Mick Scanlon - Alex England as Conrad Fischer
- Anna HutchisonAnna HutchisonAnna Hutchison is a New Zealand actress. She is known for her roles on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and American series Power Rangers: Jungle Fury...
as Emelia Fife - Christopher StolleryChristopher StolleryChristopher Stollery is an Australian television actor. He graduated from Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1987. He has had guest roles on many TV series and miniseries and is most well known for his role on Sea Patrol as Federal Agent Greg Murphy, a role he has held since the...
as James Fife - Jeremy SimsJeremy Sims-Personal life:He was educated at Wesley College, Perth, 1977–83. Sims was married to film director Samantha Lang. They have two daughters, Frederique and Evelyn Rose.-Career:...
as Francis Fuller - Krew Boylan as Ruby Rutherford
- Mathew Burn as Bill the Barman
- Jeremy Lindsay TaylorJeremy Lindsay TaylorJeremy Lindsay Taylor is an Australian actor. He finished his education at Newington College in 1991 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in drama and sociology, from the University of Newcastle...
as Brady