Ballarat is again throwing its support behind an extension to the popular ABC drama The Doctor Blake Mysteries, as rumour swirls of interest from commercial network Channel 7.
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In March the ABC announced it would be bringing the drama to a close at the end of season five with a telemovie, prompting furious backlash from fans all across the world.
A change.org petition calling on the ABC to reverse its decision has so far gathered more than 12,000 signatures, however the national broadcaster has remained steadfast in its decision to move the show on.
The issue was even taken up by Ballarat MP Catherine King, who wrote to ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie requesting an explanation for the axing.
Seven has so far declined to comment on any potential move to pick up the Ballarat-based program, but lead actor Craig McLachlan told The Courier at the opening of the Ballarat Gold Museum’s Dr Blake Mysteries Exhibition that there was hard work being done to keep the program alive.
City of Ballarat mayor Samantha Mclntosh said the program had provided major benefits to Ballarat’s tourism sector and council continued to support any efforts to see it continue.
“It’s a wonderful program that’s had huge reviews and we’re totally behind seeing it continued.”
Appearing in Ballarat for the Heritage Weekend, series creator George Adams remained tight-lipped on the program’s future, but said he expected an outcome in the coming months.
“The nature of television being what it is these days means the one network deciding for whatever reason not to continue with a show these days isn’t the end of a show,” Mr Adams said. “Just recently Netflix have picked up the show in the US which is a big boost for us, BBC UK are enourmously keen supporters of the show, so you’re always hopeful it will find a home somewhere else.”
He said the support from Ballarat had provided motivation for the crew to find a new home for the program.
“Right from day one from the council and all the shop owners and just the ordinary folk of Ballarat, the support has been great. It justifies all of the hard work that goes into it, and at a time when we all needed a bit of a back rub and a bit of support, it was good to know there were a lot of people out there who loved the show.”
