AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series

The AACTA Award for Best Television Drama Series is a television award handed out by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA). It was previously awarded by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), from 1991 to 2010, and will continue to be presented by the Academy. It is awarded to a dramatic television series of no fewer than five episodes. It can be a series of self-contained stories which can be screened in any order or a number of interweaving and overlapping plots continuing from one episode to the next.[1]

Between 1991 and 2001, only individual episodes were awarded. The award has changed its name several times, and between 1993 and 2001, it became two separate categories; from 1991 to 1992, the award was called Best Episode in a Television Drama, Series or Serial; from 1993 to 2001 the award was split into Best Episode in a Television Drama Series and Best Episode in a Television Drama Serial and; from 1998 to 2001 Best Episode in a Drama Serial was changed to Best Episode in a Television Drama Series (Long). In 2002 the awards was combined to make Best Drama Series.[2]

The award is usually presented to the producer(s) of a series, but between 1991 and 2001, the award went to the producer of a specific episode.[2] Over the years, ABC have won sixteen of twenty-nine awards.[A] Home and Away have won four awards, more than any other television programme. If the Best Episode categories aren't taken into account, then Home and Away's wins are discounted and Love My Way would have the record of three.

Rules

Potential nominees must submit two episodes from a drama series, which will be judged as a single entry, and a fee of A$1,125. The television program must be produced and broadcast in Australia for free-to-air or subscription television channels, but excludes broadcasts on community television.[1][3]

Winners and nominees

Best Episode in a Television Drama Series or Serial (1991–1992)

Year Program Network Episode Producer(s)
1991
(34th)
Embassy (series 2) ABC Episode 1: "A Human Dimension" Alan Hardy
Police Rescue (season 1) ABC Episode 2: "Angel After Hours" Sandra Levy and John Edwards
Police Rescue (season 1) ABC Episode 13: "By The Book" Sandra Levy and John Edwards
Boys from the Bush (season 1) Seven Network Episode 8 Jane Scott and Verity Lambert
1992
(35th)
Phoenix (season 1) ABC Episode 13:"Hard Ball" Bill Hughes
Police Rescue (season 2) ABC Episode 2: "Off The Track" Sandra Levy and John Edwards
Embassy (season 3) ABC Episode 10: "Crisis of Confidence" Mark Callan
Phoenix (season 1) ABC Episode 8: "Fond Memories" Bill Hughes

Best Episode in a Television Drama Series (1993–2001)

Year Program Network Episode Producer(s)
1993
(36th)
Phoenix[D] ABC "Under Siege" Bill Hughes
Police Rescue ABC "Whirlwind" Sandra Levy, John Edwards
G.P. ABC "Exposed" Bruce Best
Police Rescue ABC "Lifeline" Sandra Levy, John Edwards
1994
(37th)
The Damnation of Harvey McHugh[E][D] ABC "Hey St Jude" Sue Masters
Heartland[E][D] ABC "Episode 7" Bruce Best, Penny Chapman, Phaedon Vass
G.P. ABC "Double Bind" Peter Andrikidis
Police Rescue ABC "Double Illusion" Sandra Levy, John Edwards
1995
(38th)
Frontline[D] ABC "The Siege" Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner
Frontline ABC "The Art of Gentle Persuasion" Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner
Janus ABC "Not On The Merits" Bill Hughes
Janus ABC "Without Consent" Bill Hughes
1996
(39th)
Frontline[D] ABC "Keeping Up Appearances" Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner
G.P. ABC "Ceremony Of Innocence" Peter Andrikidis
G.P. ABC "Sing Me A Lullaby" Peter Andrikidis
Police Rescue ABC "Tomorrow Never Knows" John Edward
1997
(40th)
Frontline[D] ABC "Epitaph" Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner
Frontline ABC "The Shadow We Cast" Rob Sitch, Santo Cilauro, Jane Kennedy, Tom Gleisner
Good Guys Bad Guys Nine Network "One Point Eight Million Reasons to Change Your Name: Part 1" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson
Ros Tatarka
Good Guys Bad Guys Nine Network "One Point Eight Million Reasons to Change Your Name: Part 2" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, Ros Tatarka
1998
(41st)
Wildside[D] ABC "Episode 16" Steve Knapman
Blue Heelers Seven Network "Collateral Damage" Ricardo Pillizzeri
Good Guys, Bad Guys Nine Network "Dog People" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, John Wild
SeaChange ABC "Stormy Weather" Sally Ayre-Smith
1999
(42nd)
Wildside[D] ABC "Episode 59" Steve Knapman
SeaChange ABC "Law and Order" Sally Ayre-Smith
SeaChange ABC "Manna From Heaven" Sally Ayre-Smith
SeaChange ABC "Playing With Fire" Sally Ayre-Smith
2000
(43rd)
Grass Roots[D] ABC "The Whole Year" John Eastway
Grass Roots ABC "Late July 4.00pm to 10.30pm" John Eastway
Grass Roots ABC "Late September" John Eastway
SeaChange ABC "Hungi Jury" Sally Ayre-Smith
2001
(44th)
SeaChange [D] ABC "I Name Thee Bay of Pearls" Sally Ayre-Smith
The Games ABC "Solar" John Clarke, Ross Stevenson, Mark Ruse
Love Is a Four Letter Word ABC "Split" Rosemary Blight, Tim Pye
SeaChange ABC "Half Life" Sally Ayre-Smith
The Secret Life of Us Network Ten "The Butterfly Effect" John Edwards, Amanda Higgs

Best Episode in a Television Drama Serial (1993–2001)

Year Program Network Episode Producer(s)
1993
(36th)
Home and Away[C] Seven Network "Episode #1222" Andrew Howie
Home And Away Seven Network Episode 1252 (Seven Network) Andrew Howie
Neighbours Network Ten Episode 1859 Margaret Slarke, Sally-Anne Kerr
Home And Away Seven Network Episode 1251 Andrew Howie
1995
(38th)
Home and Away[C] Seven Network "Episode #1705" Andrew Howie, Russell Webb
Echo Point Network Ten Episode 29 Sandra Levy, John Edwards
Home And Away Seven Network Episode 1683 John Holmes, Russell Webb
1997
(40th)
Neighbours[C] Network Ten "Episode #2842" Peter Dodds
Home and Away Seven Network "The Earthquake" Russell Webb
Neighbours Network Ten "Episode #2911" Peter Dodds
1998
(41st)
Home and Away[C] Seven Network "Episode #2197" Russell Webb
All Saints Seven Network "Give and Take" Jo Porter
All Saints Seven Network "Revelations" Jo Porter
Home and Away Seven Network "Episode #2413" Russell Webb
1999
(42nd)
All Saints[C] Seven Network "Head to Head" Jo Porter
Home and Away Seven Network "Episode #2646" Russell Webb
Neighbours Network Ten "Episode #3388 " Peter Dodds
Neighbours Network Ten "Episode #3389 " Peter Dodds
2000
(43rd)
All Saints[C] Seven Network "Valley of the Shadows: Part 1" Jo Porter
All Saints Seven Network "Dead on Time" Jo Porter
Something in the Air ABC "Movers and Shakers" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, Ros Tatarka
Something in the Air ABC "We Will Remember Them" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, Ros Tatarka
2001
(44th)
Something in the Air[C] ABC "That One Defining Moment" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, Alan Hardy
All Saints Seven Network "The Sign" Di Drew
Something in the Air ABC "Into Thy Hands" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, Alan Hardy
Something in the Air ABC "Living in the Past" Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson, Alan Hardy

Best Television Drama Series (2002-current)

Year Program Network Producer(s)
2002
(45th)
Kath & Kim (series 1) ABC Mark Ruse
All Saints (season 5) Seven Network Di Drew
MDA (series 1) ABC Greg Haddrick
The Secret Life of Us Network Ten John Edwards and Amanda Higgs
2003
(46th)
MDA (series 2) ABC Denny Lawrence
Grass Roots (series 2) ABC John Eastway
Stingers (series 6) Nine Network Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson and John Wild
The Secret Life of Us (series 3) Network Ten Amanda Higgs
2004
(47th)
Stingers (series 8) Nine Network Roger Le Mesurier, Roger Simpson and John Wild
McLeod's Daughters (season 4) Nine Network Susan Bower and Posie Graeme-Evans
MDA ABC Denny Lawrence
White Collar Blue (series 2) Network Ten Steve Knapman and Kris Wyld
2005
(48th)
Love My Way (series 1) Fox8 John Edwards and Claudia Karvan
All Saints (season 8) Seven Network Maryanne Carroll
Blue Heelers (season 12) Seven Network Gus Howard and David Clarke
MDA (series 3) ABC Denny Lawrence
2006
(49th)
Love My Way (series 2) W John Edwards, Claudia Karvan and Jacquelin Perske
All Saints (season 9) Seven Network MaryAnne Carroll
Blue Heelers (season 13) Seven Network Gus Howard and David Clarke
McLeod's Daughters (season 6) Nine Network Posie Graeme-Evans and Karl Zwicky
2007
(50th)
Love My Way (series 3) Showtime John Edwards and Claudia Karvan
All Saints (season 10) Seven Network MaryAnne Carroll and Bill Hughes
Dangerous Fox8 John Edwards and Imogen Banks
2008
(51st)
Underbelly Nine Network Greg Haddrick and Brenda Pam
City Homicide (series 2) Seven Network MaryAnne Carroll
Rush (series 1) Network Ten John Edwards and Mimi Butler
Satisfaction (series 1) Showcase Andrew Walker and Roger Simpson
2009
(52nd)
East West 101 (season 2) SBS One Kristine Wyld and Steve Knapman
Packed to the Rafters (season 1) Seven Network Jo Porter
Satisfaction (season 2) Showcase John Edwards and Mimi Butler
Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities Nine Network Greg Haddrick and Brenda Pam
2010
(53rd)
Rush (series 3) Network Ten John Edwards and Mimi Butler
The Circuit (season 2) SBS Ross Hutchens and Colin South
Spirited (series 1) W John Edwards, Claudia Karvan and Jacquelin Perske
Tangle (season 2) Showcase John Edwards and Imogen Banks
2011
(1st)
East West 101 (season 3) SBS One Steve Knapman and Kris Wyld
Offspring (season 2) Network Ten John Edwards and Imogen Banks
Rake ABC1 Ian Collie
Peter Duncan and Richard Roxburgh
Spirited (series 2) W Claudia Karvan and Jacquelin Perske
2012
(2nd)
Puberty Blues Network Ten John Edwards and Imogen Banks
Rake (season 2) ABC1 Ian Collie, Peter Duncan and Richard Roxburgh
Redfern Now ABC1 Darren Dale and Miranda Dear
Tangle (season 3) Showcase John Edwards and Imogen Banks
2013
(3rd)
Redfern Now (series 2) ABC1 Darren Dale and Miranda Dear
Offspring (season 4) Network Ten John Edwards and Imogen Banks
Serangoon Road ABC1 Paul Barron and Nick North
Wentworth (series 1) Soho Jo Porter and Amanda Crittenden
2014
(4th)
The Code ABC Shelley Birse, David Maher and David Taylor
Janet King ABC Karl Zwicky and Lisa Scott
Puberty Blues (season 2) Network Ten John Edwards and Imogen Banks
Rake (series 3) ABC Ian Collie, Peter Duncan and Richard Roxburgh
2015
(5th)
Glitch ABC Tony Ayres, Louise Fox and Ewan Burnett
Love Child (season 2) Nine Network Tom Hoffie
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (series 3) ABC Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger
Wentworth (season 3) SoHo Jo Porter and Amanda Crittenden
2016
(6th)
Wentworth (season 4) SoHo Pino Amenta and Jo Porter
The Code ABC David Maher, David Taylor, Shelley Birse and Diane Haddon
Jack Irish ABC Ian Collie and Andrew Knight
Rake ABC Ian Collie, Peter Duncan and Richard Roxburgh
2017
(7th)
Top Of The Lake: China Girl Foxtel/BBC First Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Jane Campion, Philippa Campbell and Libby Sharpe
Cleverman ABC Rosemary Blight, Sharon Lark, Ryan Griffen and Jane Allen
Glitch ABC Louise Fox, Tony Ayres, Julie Eckersley and Chris Oliver-Taylor
Wentworth (season 5) Foxtel/Showcase Jo Porter and Pino Amenta
Janet King - Playing Advantage ABC Lisa Scott, Karl Zwicky, Greg Haddrick
2018
(8th)
Mystery Road ABC David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin
Jack Irish ABC Ian Collie, Matt Cameron, Andrew Knight
Rake ABC Ian Collie, Peter Duncan, Richard Roxburgh
Mr Inbetween Foxtel/Showcase Michele Bennett
Wentworth (season 6) Foxtel/Showcase Jo Porter and Pino Amenta
2019
(9th)
Total Control ABC Darren Dale, Miranda Dear and Rachel Griffiths
Mr Inbetween Foxtel/Showcase Michele Bennett
Bloom Stan David Maher, David Taylor, Glen Dolman and Sue Seeary
Secret City: Under the Eagle Foxtel/Showcase Stephen Corvini, Penny Chapman, Matt Cameron and Penny Win
Wentworth (season 7) Foxtel/Showcase Jo Porter and Pino Amenta
2020
(10th)
Mystery Road ABC David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin
Bloom Stan David Maher, David Taylor, Glen Dolman and Sue Seeary
Doctor Doctor Nine Network Ian Collie, Ally Henville, Keith Thompson and Rodger Corser
Halifax: Retribution Nine Network Roger Simpson and Louisa Kors
The Heights ABC Warren Clarke, Peta Astbury-Bulsara, Debbie Lee and Que Minh Luu
Wentworth Foxtel Jo Porter and Pino Amenta
2021
(11th)
The Newsreader ABC Joanna Werner and Michael Lucas
Clickbait Netflix Tony Ayres, Joanna Werner, Tom Hoffie and David Heyman
Jack Irish ABC Ian Collie, Matt Cameron, Jo Rooney, Andrew Knight and Rob Gibson
Mr Inbetween Foxtel Michele Bennett
Total Control ABC Darren Dale, Rachel Griffiths, Stuart Page and Erin Bretherton
Wakefield ABC Kristen Dunphy, Sam Meikle, Jason Burrows, Chloe Rickard, Ally Henville, Shay Spencer and Alex Mitchell
Wentworth Foxtel Pino Amenta
2022
(12th)
Mystery Road: Origin ABC Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey
Bump Stan Dan Edwards, John Edwards, Claudia Karvan and Kelsey Munro
Heartbreak High Netflix Carly Heaton, Sarah Freeman and Chris Oliver-Taylor
Love Me BINGE/Foxtel Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford
The Tourist Stan Lisa Scott, Harry Williams, Jack Williams, Christopher Aird and Chris Sweeney
Wolf Like Me Stan Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea and Abe Forsythe

See also

Notes

A^ : In 1993, and then from 1995 to 2001, the award was split into two categories: Best Episode in a Television Drama, Series or Serial and Best Episode in a Television Drama Serial (the latter was changed to Best Episode in a Television Drama Series (Long) in 1998). This means that two awards were presented for both categories each year, bringing the total of awards presented to twenty-nine.[2]
B^ : Awarded for Best Episode in a Television Drama, Series or Serial.[2]
C^ : Awarded for Best Episode in a Television Drama Serial (1993–1997). The category then changed to Best Episode in a Television Drama Series (Long) (1998–2001).[2][4]
D^ : Awarded for Best Episode in a Television Drama Series.[2]
E1 2 : The Damnation of Harvey McHugh and Heartland were joint winners for Best Episode in a Television Drama Series at the 1994 awards.[5][6]

References

General
  • Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. 2009. ISBN 1-876467-20-7.
  • "IMDb Australian Film Institute Awards". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
Specific
  1. ^ a b "Rule Eight - Special Conditions for Television Programs". 2011 AFI Awards Rule Book. Australian Film Institute. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "AFI Award Winners Feature Categories 1958-2009". Australian Film Institute. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  3. ^ "2011 AFI Awards Materials Checklist". 2011 AFI Awards Rule Book. Australian Film Institute. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  4. ^ French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 194. ISBN 1-876467-20-7.
  5. ^ "John Cundill writing credits". Up the Tibier. Archived from the original on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  6. ^ "Darren Jonusas editing credits". Jonusas.com. Retrieved 28 June 2011.