Rafferty’s Rules

Rafferty's Rules holds a place in Australian television history as one of the pioneering programmes developed by the Seven Network's then-new in-house drama unit. Its production, beginning with a pilot in 1984 and evolving into a multi-year series, demonstrates an early investment in local drama production, contributing to the evolving landscape of Australian storytelling on screen.

As a program that ran for several years on the Seven Network, Rafferty's Rules garnered a significant presence on Australian television between 1987 and 1990. Its status as one of the Seven Network's early in-house drama productions suggests a commitment to quality storytelling and production values that likely resonated with viewers during its broadcast run.

The series featured a notable cast, with John Wood taking the lead as the central figure. Alongside him, audiences would have seen the performances of Arky Michael, Simon Chilvers, and Katy Brinson. Their contributions were integral to shaping the dramatic landscape of this long-running Australian television program.

The genesis of Rafferty's Rules was a '15-part courtroom drama', initially conceived as a pilot episode. This early iteration featured Chris Haywood in the lead role. However, when production was revisited later in 1984, Haywood's unavailability led to a recast, with John Wood stepping in to portray the central character. This revised recording then formed the program's inaugural episode, setting the stage for the series.

Rafferty's Rules graced Australian television screens from 1987 to 1990, becoming a staple on the Seven Network. Its origins trace back to a pilot episode recorded in early 1984, showcasing a different lead actor before John Wood ultimately took on the iconic role for the series' broadcast premiere. This courtroom drama was a significant early project for the Seven Network's burgeoning in-house drama unit.