Homeward Bound (New Zealand TV series)

Homeward Bound
GenreSoap opera
Created byRoss Jennings
Developed by
Written by
  • Michael Anthony Noonan
  • Judy Callingham
Directed by
  • Ross Jennings
  • Richard Riddiford
  • Murray Reece
  • Mark Beesley
Starring
Theme music composerDave Dobbyn
Opening theme"Homeward Bound"
Ending theme"Homeward Bound"
ComposerBilly Kristian
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes21 (1 x 2 hr pilot + 20 x 1 hrs)
Production
Executive producers
  • Ross Jennings
  • Tom Parkinson
  • Robin Scholes
  • Alan Withrington
ProducerTom Parkinson
CinematographyAndy Coleman
Editors
  • John Fraser
  • Kate Peacocke
Running time88 minutes (episode 1/pilot)
44 minutes (episodes 2-21)
Production companySoap N.Z. Ltd.
Original release
NetworkTV3
Release11 June (1992-06-11) –
29 October 1992 (1992-10-29)

Homeward Bound was a New Zealand television soap opera. It was first broadcast on TV3 on 11 June 1992[1] and ran for 21 episodes (including the two-hour pilot), finishing on 29 October 1992. Created by Ross Jennings, Homeward Bound was TV3's bid for NZ On Air funding for a local soap opera, however, it ultimately lost out to TVNZ's Shortland Street and was reformatted as an hour-long drama series.

Series overview

Plots centered on the domestic and professional lives of the extended Johnstone family and the residents of Riverside, a fictional rural community just south of the Bombay Hills. The area encompassed a pub and beer garden, a general store and garage, a community hall, a school, a church, a sawmill and a rubbish tip.[2]

Homeward Bound was produced by Soap (NZ) Ltd, a joint venture between Isambard Productions and Communicado, with funding from NZ On Air. The series was broadcast on TV3 on Thursdays at 7.30pm from June until October 1992.

The theme tune was composed by New Zealand musician Dave Dobbyn.

Cast

Main cast

Guest and recurring cast

  • Mandie Simons as Amy Johnstone
  • Ben Alpers as Grant Johnstone
  • Charlotte Woollams as Katey Johnstone
  • Tina Grenville as Val Johnstone
  • Rebekah Mercer as Wendy Johnstone
  • Victoria Harrison as Sophie Johnstone
  • Doug Aston as Uncle Haddon
  • Margaret Murray as Auntie Beth
  • Nancy Flyger as Mavis Bartlett
  • Dai Evans as The Minister
  • Waihoroi Shortland as Monte Tumai
  • Eliza Bidois as Lisa Tumai
  • John Watson as Det Sgt Kuipers
  • Frank Whitten
  • Hine Elder as Louise Harvey
  • Michael Anthony Noonan as Toby Paykel
  • Ken Blackburn as Noel Connor
  • Tiara Lowndes as Kelly Marsh
  • Alison Routledge as Charley
  • Kelsey Howlett / Jonathan Mason as Jonty Harvey
  • Jon Kernutt as Kieran Connor
  • Helena Ross as Trisha Connor
  • Alistair Browning as Dr McIntyre
  • Ian Harrop as The Publican
  • Jon Bridges as Andy

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [3]
1Episode 1 (Pilot)Ross JenningsMichael Anthony Noonan11 June 1992 (1992-06-11)
The Johnstone family reunion is about to begin. However, the arrival of two unexpected guests raises unanswered questions about the family's past. This episode was described by the NZ Listener as a pilot and ran for two hours in duration (including commercial breaks).
2Episode 2Ross JenningsMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham18 June 1992 (1992-06-18)
Graeme ruins Janine's plans and Gordon's behaviour places further stress on the family. Meanwhile, the Tumai family reunion answers one question but raises another.
3Episode 3Richard RiddifordMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham25 June 1992 (1992-06-25)
Riverside's increasing crime rate brings a police presence to the area and the Johnstones are affected in more ways than one. Tim has his hands full but saves the day.
4Episode 4Richard RiddifordMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham2 July 1992 (1992-07-02)
Grant's schoolwork suffers. Izzy thinks there are too many Australians in Riverside but Amy doesn't agree, though all is not well with Hannah. Janine tries her best for Graeme but is in for a bit of a shock.
5Episode 5Murray ReeceMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham9 July 1992 (1992-07-09)
Hannah is thrown into the deep end of the Whanau programme and loses her patience and poise. At the farmhouse, Janine's problems increase when Amy and Grant have difficulties at school.
6Episode 6Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham16 July 1992 (1992-07-16)
Tim feels pleased with himself. Katey overhears a conversation and spreads it and Lisa apologises for sleeping with a married man.
7Episode 7Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham23 July 1992 (1992-07-23)
Tim is in trouble at home and with Kelly, and Lisa wavers between love - and money.
8Episode 8Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham30 July 1992 (1992-07-30)
A surprise awaits Gordon on his return and Janine and Val are in for a shock when Dan's flatmate appears at a family gathering.
9Episode 9Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham6 August 1992 (1992-08-06)
Amy pines - will distance make the heart grow fonder? Gordon is back and confesses the truth at last, and a birth certificate causes problems in the Johnstone households.
10Episode 10Richard RiddifordMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham13 August 1992 (1992-08-13)
Graeme's will is made public and Gordon plays the hero when Louise is left behind, but he resents Kuipers's questioning. "Gordon was always lying and manipulative as a child - as an adult he's simply perfected the art!"
11Episode 11Murray ReeceMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham20 August 1992 (1992-08-20)
The children spend a day at the beach with unfortunate results. Can Gordon's intentions towards the family farm be taken at face value? Will Bob and Val put an end to the jokes?
12Episode 12Murray ReeceMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham27 August 1992 (1992-08-27)
Gordon unburdens himself of a few confidences and Sophie and Katey discover gold.
13Episode 13Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham3 September 1992 (1992-09-03)
Kuipers finds a skeleton or two and young love blossoms with Amy. Neil is treated badly and who is the woolly creature from the past?
14Episode 14Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham10 September 1992 (1992-09-10)
Amy and Kieran's plans are delayed when a quiet day on the river raises more than they bargained for and Gordon is caught in a web of intrigue.
15Episode 15Richard RiddifordMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham17 September 1992 (1992-09-17)
The talks between the Connor and Johnstone families cause problems for all; Bob's leadership qualities go bush; Val stirs up more trouble than she can handle; and Louise is plagued by rumours.
16Episode 16Richard RiddifordMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham24 September 1992 (1992-09-24)
Sophie thinks she has been abandoned again and a surprise tenant takes over Louise's cottage - with even more surprises at the housewarming party. Janine has had enough but support comes from an unexpected quarter.
17Episode 17Murray ReeceMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham1 October 1992 (1992-10-01)
Love is in the air and everyone seems susceptible - but which couples have a future together? The only person who seems to have any stability seems to be young Sophie.
18Episode 18Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham8 October 1992 (1992-10-08)
Everyone's home lives seem to be in upheaval, apart from Amy and Kieran. Val's particular disaster has far-reaching consequences.
19Episode 19Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham15 October 1992 (1992-10-15)
Hannah, Charley and Janine listen to a few home truths and Amy wonders if she and Kieran have a prayer.
20Episode 20Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham22 October 1992 (1992-10-22)
Amy and Kieran make plans, and Neil and Janine make amends, but it's up to Suzanne to make everyone's day.
21Episode 21Mark BeesleyMichael Anthony Noonan and Judy Callingham29 October 1992 (1992-10-29)
Hannah is miffed that no one seems to have remember her birthday. Gordon receives some unwelcome correspondence and Suzanne faces up to her past.

References

  1. ^ Homeward Bound - First Episode | Television | NZ On Screen
  2. ^ "Listener & TV Times". 8 June 1992
  3. ^ "Watch Big Brother on Freeview FV". Freeview. Retrieved 25 May 2022.