ABC TV asks Doctor Blake for a repeat prescription

Dr Lucien Blake (Craig McLachlan)

28 February 2o13 – ABC TV is pleased to announce its current top rating drama, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, is in development for a second series.

Produced by December Media for ABC TV, The Doctor Blake Mysteries premiered on 1 February with a national audience of 1.8 million*. It is achieving a five city series average of 1.2 million, winning its timeslot each week for the first three episodes. It has also attracted a total of 160,000 plays on ABC iview across four episodes.

December Media’s Head of Drama and series creator, George Adams, said, “The audience response to the show has been overwhelming and we are delighted ABC TV want more. Tony Wright and I are beyond pleased the show has found such a loyal following so quickly. The show has been blessed with wonderful stories, a great cast, a tremendous crew and memorable locations. All of these elements plus Craig McLachlan’s finely tuned performance as Doctor Lucien Blake have helped create a classic murder mystery series for a Friday evening on the ABC.”

ABC TV Head of Fiction, Carole Sklan said “Doctor Blake not only has intriguing mystery stories and a fascinating lead character, the show also explores our social history in unexpected and entertaining ways”.

Craig McLachlan said, “I can’t even begin to express how thrilled I am to be traveling back to late 50’s Ballarat for another round of The Doctor Blake Mysteries. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for tuning in.”

The Doctor Blake Mysteries series one has a further 5 episodes to run on ABC1 on Friday nights at 8:30pm and is also available for watching on ABC iview.

Production Credits: A December Media Production in association with ABC TV, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Producer George Adams and Executive Producer Tony Wright. ABC Executive Producers Christopher Gist and Carole Sklan.

*Source: OzTAM metro consolidated data and RegionalTAM data.