"Return to Eden" (1986) TV series

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Creator:

Michael Laurence

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

11 February 1986 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Glossy Australian soap opera, where the beautiful, dynamic Stephanie Harper battles her enemies to gain sole control of the family company, Harper Mining Limited.

Cast

Rebecca Gilling	...	Stephanie Harper (22 episodes, 1986)
James Smilie	...	Dr. Dan Marshall (22 episodes, 1986)
Peta Toppano	...	Jilly Stewart (22 episodes, 1986)
Daniel Abineri	...	Jake Sanders (22 episodes, 1986)
Peter Cousens	...	Dennis Harper (22 episodes, 1986)
Megan Williams	...	Cassie Jones (22 episodes, 1986)
Nicki Paull	...	Sarah Harper (22 episodes, 1986)
Warren Blondell	...	Tom McMaster (21 episodes, 1986)
Angelo D'Angelo	...	Angelo Vitale (21 episodes, 1986)
Peter Gwynne	...	Bill McMaster (21 episodes, 1986)
Rod Anderson	...	Anton Parker (18 episodes, 1986)
Ann Brisk	...	Hilary (12 episodes, 1986)
Saskia Post	...	Jessica Stewart (12 episodes, 1986)
Suzanne Roylance	...	Olive Down (11 episodes, 1986)
Robin Ramsay	...	Sheik Ahmal (10 episodes, 1986)
Keith Aberdein	...	Johnno Ryan (9 episodes, 1986)
Wendy Playfair	...	Rena McMaster (9 episodes, 1986)

Runtime:

UK:60 min (22 episodes)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

CentrePoint Tower, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

McElroy & McElroy

Trivia:

The show was cancelled at the end of its first season in Australia, which had been originally filmed with a cliffhanger ending in anticipation of a second season. When the series was axed, the cast were brought back to film scenes which tied up the storylines at the last minute to give the show some sort of closure.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from "Return to Eden" (1983)

Australia's answer to "Dallas".

Like the US show from which I suspect this was blatantly copied, this was one show where the bad guys where much more interesting, believable, and let's face it, much more fun than the good guys. The main protagonists are all fabulously tanned, wealthy and good looking (Rebecca Gilling, Megan Williams and Peta Topanno were absolutely STUNNING in those days), and bore about as much semblance to reality as JR Ewing did, too. Daniel Abineri was a wonderful villain; Peta mad a good counterfoil to him; and Rebecca - well, she was just overwhelmed by sugar and spice.

Still, in its time it was fun to watch, with devilish plots and counter plots, with inscrutable villains and squeaky clean hero's. If it came on again I would certainly move heaven and earth to watch it; but this time i suspect that I would laugh a heck of a lot louder whilst doing so.