7.2 /10 1 Votes
6.2/10 TV Directed by Alan Coleman Composer(s) John Ertler First episode date 2 February 1998 Network Network Ten Director Alan Coleman | 8.2/10 IMDb Genre Soapdrama Country of origin Australia Final episode date 3 November 1999 Number of episodes 430 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Starring Helen O'ConnorRichard HealyJohn AtkinsonJason CrewesJames StewartAda Nicodemoushasta-ann istedPaul PantanoHeath BergersonBen TateLouise CrawfordSimon MunroDon HanyAngela KeepEmily PerrySimone RobertsonJulie HaselerLing Hsueh TangJean-Marc RussShae PotterEmma KennySamantha Kenny Cast Similar All Saints, Water Rats, Please Marry My Boy, BeastMaster, Heartbreak High | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Breakers is an Australian television series, that was made and aired on Network Ten between 1998 and 1999. It was shown in Ireland on TV3 and City Channel. It was also screened on BBC One in the United Kingdom and TV4 in New Zealand.
Contents
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Premise
The series revolves around The Breakers building situated near Bondi Beach, and the lives of the people who work and live there. The building houses three businesses all run by the same family. Breaker's Modelling School is run by Paul Simmons, The Breaker, a local newspaper is run by Eve, Paul's ex-wife, and Kate's Cafe, run by Kate Markham, Eve's sister. During its short run the series dealt with some controversial story lines and was not afraid to confront contentious issues, such as homosexuality and teenage suicide.
Scheduling
Unusually, the program aired outside of prime-time; with each episode was aired mid afternoon each weekday and then repeated late that night.
Reaction
It was Breakers' somewhat edgy reputation coupled with low ratings that eventually led to the series being cancelled.
The show was purchased by the BBC amid a flurry of media coverage and outrage, with some describing the show an Australian version of EastEnders. The Sun newspaper did a special feature of the show, covering some of the risque and controversial storylines. However, when the show finally debuted viewers were disappointed with the bland and familiar storylines, and ratings very quickly fell. The show was then shunted around the schedule to try to find an audience. It eventually moved to BBC2 but with ratings continuing to fall the show finished it run on BBC Choice. After its run on the BBC it was shown on small digital channel NBS in the UK.
Australian Senator Karen Synon considered the depiction of Lucy Hill, in a lesbian relationship to be "inappropriate" given the program's afternoon timeslot, and requested the Australian Broadcasting Authority investigate if the show had breached broadcasting guidelines. The ABA told The Daily Telegraph that the storyline was "normal" and the show's PG rating appropriate for the timeslot.