SYNOPSIS
The Minister embodies the best and worst of modern politicians. Michael Muldoon (Philip Quast) is ruthless, pragmatic and determined to achieve his goal of becoming the leader of the country that he loves. At the same time, The Minister is vulnerable and humane and devastatingly charming. The Australian people adore him, and Harvey McHugh (Aaron Blabey) is his greatest and most trusting fan.This story intertwines The Minister's single minded relentless pursuit to become the first president of Australia with the simple goal of Harvey, to achieve *Permanency* in the Public Service. While the Minister believes that the end result justifies any means of getting there, Harvey believes that getting there is important but that to do it, you must play fair and break the rules. A brilliant cast headed by the incomparable Philip Quast keeps you glued to each episode and you find yourself rooting for a happy end for each and every character. Brilliant acting, writing and directing make for enjoyable viewing, it's really *Don't miss TV*.
 Episode Guide (Australian Television website)
Check out on YouTube a rather unusual rendition of Star-Spangled Banner by Philip Quast... (Read the intro to the videoclip first!)
AWARDS
Winner:
- AFI Awards for Best Screenplay;
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama (Aaron Blabey);
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama (Monica Maughan).
Co-winner:
- Best Episode in a Television Drama (Hey St Jude) 1994.
Finalist:
- Family & Special Series, New York International Television Festival, 1995. |
 The original production was aborted after six episodes because ABC considered that they were too dark and failed to match the mood and humour of the series. The director Denny Lawrence was replaced and the series re-filmed from scratch.
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It's something new, something different for Australia. There is a classical element about the fate of The Minister. He is Faustus, Mephistopheles. This is where the series is bold. It deals with religion and that gives it a Shakespearean feel. That's where drama works best, with large-scale issues, not the small-scale, drawing room stuff.
Philip Quast |
Monica Maughan
(1933-2010)
She was not only a consummate performer but a great force in the theatre.
Peter Carroll, actor and friend
Obituary (The Australian)
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