The cast of The Doctor Blake Mysteries.
The ABC has committed to more mystery in Ballarat with the announcement it has renewed The Doctor Blake Mysteries for a third season.
Shown on ABC1, The Doctor Blake Mysteries stars Craig McLachlan as Doctor Lucien Blake, a man with a dark past and a penchant for solving mysteries who has returned to his hometown after a 30 year absence.
Produced by December Media, the show first premiered on February 1, 2013 and was renewed for a second series later that same month. The production process was fast-tracked to enable the popular series to screen again in February 2014. Producer George Adams says it is a timeframe they hope to repeat with the new season.
“In an ideal world going into production in the next four or five months,” he tells IF. “Scripting has started. Scripting is underway, and we’re keen to try and get back on air at the same time next year if we can. The goal is to be back on air in February. It has always been our aim to keep it coming on air [roughly] the same time every year.”
Both seasons of the show have received excellent ratings (episode one of season two notched up 1.399M (OZtam) viewers, not including catch up), a success Adams attributes to the show’s unique look and interesting characters.
“Look I think everyone loves a good modern mystery, particularly on a Friday night, and I think they love the characters too.
“It has a slightly different look to it – obviously it’s set in the 1950’s – and is a wee bit darker and heavier.”
The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time for the show, with McLachlan recently nominated for a Silver Logie in the Most Outstanding Actor category and the season two finale airing this Friday.
“It’s been really great for us to announce it before we end season two, to let the audience know that we are coming back,” says Adams. “It’s as though we planned it!”
The final episode of The Doctor Blake Mysteries Season 2 will air on ABC1 this Friday, April 11, at 8.30pm.