A Sequel To Success
From The Sun, 20 February 1986. Written by Joanne Anderson.
If you produce an Australian mini-series that rated its jewel-encrusted heart out in
country after country, the obvious thing to do is make a sequel.
That's precisely what twin brothers Hal and Jim McElroy did following the success
of Return to Eden, which has been seen by an estimated 300 million people in
more than 30 countries.
The 22-part follow-up series of the same name starts on Channel 10 at 7.30 tonight.
It is set seven years after the scheming Jilly Stewart was sent to prison
for the attempted murder of mining heiress Stephanie Harper.
Stephanie, played by Rebecca Gilling, has transformed her life since surviving a
crocodile attack and is now in charge of a huge mining empire and one of
Australia's wealthiest women.
As for Jilly, played by Peta Toppano, she has been plotting revenge for the past
seven years and is out to get it now that
she has been released from prison. She gets
help along the way from a ruthless corporate pirate, Jake Sanders (Daniel Abineri)
who wants control of Stephanie's fortune.
The series cost more than $8 million, $1 million of which was spent on the sets. True to the lifestyle of its characters, the production looks as glossy as a newly polished Rolls-Royce.
Actors saunter about in the latest little numbers from designers such as Carla Zampatti, Pierre Cardin and George Gross and restrict their motoring to only the classiest of cars.
The script may not be big on realism, but the makers did not skimp in making sure sets, costumes and props were worthy of the wealthy characters living among them. Producer Tim Sanders says the series will establish new production standards on Australian TV.
"We wanted the glossy look that is normally associated with American productions and I believe we have achieved just that,"
he says.
The makers bought two large warehouses in the backlot of an industrial estate in the Sydney suburb of Five Dock and transformed the site into the studio complex where much of the series was shot. The elaborate sets and most of the furnishings used in the series were built from scratch. Building the set for the Harper Mining offices for instance involved coordinating a design that carried through from the foyer to Stephanie's office and the boardroom. Everything from desks to settees and office chairs was designed and built at the Five Docks complex.
Others sets included a replica of a suite in the Sydney Regent Hotel. Since two of the
characters take up residence in the hotel, it was decided it would be easier to build
a set than try to film there.
The wardrobe for the series was as much a part of the overall luxury effect as the sets. Wardrobe supervisor Miv Brewer sees the series as a showcase for Australian designe
rs.
"In Return to Eden we have the ideal vehicle to put real glamor
on Australian television. It also gives us the opportunity to expose some of our talented young
designers who are well and truly up to the standard of Europe's best."
Plotlines in the new Eden are as twisted as the first time around. There are the usual quota of
betrayals, shocking revelations about who may or may not be related to whom, murder attempts, marriage
attempts and even talk of leaving it all behind and heading for Rio.
Other stars in the series include James Smillie as Stephanie's plastic surgeon husband Dan Marshall,
Megan Williams as Cassie Jones, personal assistant to Stephanie's business manager and spy for Jake Sanders.
The crocodile that almost made a meal of Stephanie the first time around makes
a brief appearance.
Back to index