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Murder Call
Murder Call
from Wikipedia

Murder Call
Main cast
Created by
Starring
Country of originAustralia
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes56
Production
Executive producerKris Noble
ProducerPeter Askew
Production locationSydney
Running timeapprox. 45 minutes
Production companySouthern Star Entertainment
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release11 August 1997 (1997-08-11) –
9 October 2000 (2000-10-09)

Murder Call is an Australian television series, created by Hal McElroy for the Southern Star Entertainment and broadcast on the Nine Network between 1997 and 2000.[1] The series was inspired by the Tessa Vance novels by Jennifer Rowe, both of which were adapted as episodes, while Rowe also developed story treatments for 38 episodes throughout the series.

Synopsis

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Murder Call focuses on cases confronted by an unconventional team of homicide detectives, Tessa Vance and Steve Hayden. Steve is an often light-hearted "man's man" who is moving up the career hierarchy. Tessa is more introspective and no-nonsense, and often solves the murder with her intuition and insight. Their team includes boss Inspector Malcolm Thorne, police Constable Dee Suzeraine, forensic services expert Lance Fisk, and unorthodox doctor Imogen "Tootsie" Soames.

Production

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Murder Call was initially conceived as an adaptation of the Verity Birdwood murder mystery novels by Jennifer Rowe. Birdwood is an amateur private investigator, who spends her time as a freelance journalist for the ABC. Sigrid Thornton was attached to play the role, with the program given a 26-episode order by the Seven Network under the title Murder Calling.[2] Ultimately, creative differences - reportedly over whether or not the series should adopt a cosy Murder, She Wrote-style approach - saw the Seven Network let go of the property. Production moved to the Nine Network, with a relocation from Melbourne to Sydney during which time Thornton dropped out.[3] The series was retitled Murder Calls before settling on its final name. Ultimately, desiring to create a series with a darker vein than the Verity Birdwood novels, McElroy switched to Rowe's Tessa Vance series, comprising the novels Suspect/Deadline and Something Wicked. Rowe provided story treatments for 38 of the series' 56 episodes, which were then expanded upon by the screenwriters.

Murder Call was filmed in Sydney and often shot the less spectacular side of the city. The exterior of the Homicide station was filmed at Ashington House (formerly AFT House/Delfin House), on O'Connell Street in Sydney.

The first production season consisted of 22 episodes[4] as well as a TV movie, Deadline, based on the novel of the same name by Rowe (which would ultimately air in two parts).[5] The second production season consisted of 32 episodes, which were designed to be aired over two years.[6]

Ultimately, Nine aired the episodes over three televised seasons, dramatically out of production order. The third season commenced airing in 1999 but was cancelled in August of that year to budget concerns. The series was taken off air, with the final 9 episodes airing in late 2000. When the episodes were added to the 7plus streaming service in 2021, they were available in the original two production seasons, in order of production.[7]

Cast

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Main

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Season 1 guests (1997)

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Season 2 guests (1998)

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Season 3 guests (1999-2000)

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Episodes

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Murder Call ran for three seasons and produced 56 episodes. See List of Murder Call episodes.

Season Episodes Originally aired Network
Season premiere Season finale
1 16 11 August 1997 23 November 1997 Nine Network
2 20 7 July 1998 24 November 1998
3 20 21 April 1999 9 October 2000

Home media

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It was announced by Via Vision Entertainment in March 2019 that they would be releasing the complete collection of Murder Call on DVD.

As of 2022, the series is available for streaming on Amazon Prime and 7plus. The episodes are rearranged into production, rather than broadcast, order.[8]

Title Format Episodes Discs Region 4 (Australia) Special features Distributors
Murder Call Season 01 DVD 16 3 3 April 2019 None Via Vision Entertainment
Murder Call Season 02 DVD 20 5 5 June 2019 The TV movie Deadline is included as a special feature, as it aired alongside this television season. Via Vision Entertainment
Murder Call Season 03 DVD 21 5 4 September 2019 None Via Vision Entertainment
Murder Call Complete Collection DVD 57 13 7 October 2020 None Via Vision Entertainment

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Murder Call is an Australian television drama series that follows the investigations of detectives Tessa Vance and Steve Hayden as they solve complex murder cases in . The series, created by Hal McElroy and and produced by Southern Star Entertainment, premiered on the on 11 August 1997 and ran for three seasons, concluding on 9 October 2000, with a total of 56 episodes each approximately 45 minutes in length. It stars as the intuitive and emotional Detective Tessa Vance and Peter Mochrie as her calm and methodical partner, Detective Steve Hayden, who form an unlikely but effective duo often clashing due to their contrasting personalities. Supporting the leads are characters such as Dr. Imogen "Tootsie" Soames (), senior sergeant Lance Fisk (Geoff Morrell), and Detective Inspector Malcolm Thorne (Gary Day), who provide forensic expertise, oversight, and amid the suspenseful plots. Inspired by the Tessa Vance novels by (writing as Verity Birdwood), the show blends classic clue-puzzle mysteries with elements of action, humor, romance, and the bizarre, marking it as Australia's first dedicated drama series. Filmed primarily in , Murder Call was noted for its gripping portrayals of crime and family dramas intertwined with deadly stakes, appealing to audiences through its character-driven storytelling and procedural format.

Overview

Premise

Murder Call is an Australian television series centered on the investigations of detectives Tessa Vance and Steve Hayden, who tackle complex murder cases in . Tessa, portrayed as intuitive and emotionally driven, contrasts sharply with Steve's methodical and career-oriented approach, forming an "odd couple" dynamic that propels their partnership. The duo often confronts bizarre killings or scenarios involving multiple victims, blending suspense with elements of humor and romance. Supporting the lead investigators is a dedicated team at the homicide unit. Inspector Malcolm Thorne provides supervisory oversight with his disciplined and ambitious style, while rookie Dee Suzeraine handles photography and initial fieldwork. Forensic expert Lance Fisk brings eccentricity to evidence analysis as a Detective Senior Sergeant, and Imogen "Tootsie" Soames delivers expert pathological insights. This ensemble aids in unraveling clue-based puzzles amid the city's glamorous yet gritty backdrop. The series draws loose inspiration from Jennifer Rowe's Tessa Vance mystery novels, which emphasize intricate structures infused with suspense and character interplay. , a prominent Australian author, co-created the show, adapting elements from her earlier Verity Birdwood series as well. This foundation underscores the program's focus on intellectual deduction and interpersonal tension driving the narrative.

Format and style

Murder Call features self-contained episodes, each approximately 45 minutes in length, structured as classic puzzles centered on bizarre homicides. These stories typically involve multiple murders, a cast of suspects with alibis and motives, red herrings, and unexpected twists that detectives unravel through clues. The narrative follows a procedural investigation format, providing full resolution and closure within each installment, without overarching season-long arcs. The show's tone blends high-tech forensics with a touch of retro charm, incorporating elements of action, suspense, humor, romance, and the bizarre, such as eccentric killers and unconventional crime scenes. This mix creates an atmospheric narrative charged with secrets, danger, glamour, and humanity, often spiced with dry wit amid the thriller elements. The style emphasizes clue-puzzle plots that reward armchair detectives, combining mystery with character-driven interpersonal dynamics. Visually, the series is set in urban locations, showcasing the city's contemporary environments during fast-paced investigations. Pacing maintains a brisk through quick clue revelations and interrogations, though occasional out-of-order could slightly disrupt minor continuity in character arcs. Procedurally, the format highlights team collaboration among detectives, forensic experts, and supervisors, balancing intuitive leaps with empirical evidence to solve cases. Leads Vance's emotional, contrasts with Steve Hayden's methodical approach, underscoring the tension between gut instinct and hard facts in achieving per-episode justice.

Production

Development

Murder Call was created by Hal McElroy and , and produced by Southern Star Entertainment as an adaptation of mystery novels by Australian author . The series drew initial inspiration from Rowe's Verity Birdwood detective stories, with plans to feature in the lead role under the working title Murder Calling. Originally pitched to the Seven Network, the project faced setbacks due to creative differences, including Thornton's withdrawal from the commitment, leading to its relocation to the in 1997. This shift necessitated a recasting and reorientation, ultimately centering the narrative on Rowe's Tessa Vance character from her suspense novels, such as Deadline and Something Wicked, which were later adapted into episodes. Rowe also developed story treatments for 38 episodes. The production was planned for a total of 56 episodes, produced over two production blocks from 1997 to 2000 and aired across . Southern Star emphasized the series' alignment with Australian content regulations, which mandated quotas for networks, while capitalizing on the popularity of procedural crime dramas in the late .

Filming

Murder Call was filmed entirely in , , , utilizing a mix of urban and suburban locations to authentically represent the operations of the city's homicide unit. The production captured the grittier aspects of , including lesser-known areas alongside iconic landmarks, to enhance the realism of the crime drama. The exterior shots of the homicide station were specifically filmed at Ashington House (formerly AFT House or Delfin House) on in central . The series was produced in blocks across its three seasons, with episodes shot in sequence to streamline logistics but often broadcast out of production order by the . This scheduling decision resulted in minor continuity discrepancies in some storylines, as the aired sequence did not always align with the filming timeline. Filming commenced in June 1997 for the initial season, allowing the show to maintain a consistent production pace without significant interruptions. Technical execution reflected standard 1990s Australian television practices, employing color in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio and stereo sound mixing, processed at Atlab Film Laboratory Services in . Practical effects were used for forensic scenes, emphasizing tangible props and on-location simulations rather than early digital enhancements. Each adhered to a 50-minute runtime, fitting the format of commercial network drama slots. Production faced logistical challenges in balancing interior studio scenes, primarily for station sets, with extensive outdoor shoots across Sydney's diverse environments. No major strikes, weather delays, or other significant disruptions were reported during the run, enabling a steady output of 56 episodes over the series' duration.

Cast and characters

Main cast

The main cast of Murder Call centers on the homicide squad's core team, led by as Detective Tessa Vance, the intuitive and unconventional investigator who drives the series' cases, appearing in all 56 episodes across three seasons. Her partner, the level-headed and procedure-oriented Detective Steve Hayden, is played by Peter Mochrie throughout the run, forming the show's signature odd-couple dynamic. Gary Day portrays Detective Inspector Malcolm Thorne, the authoritative squad leader who oversees operations and appears in every episode. Supporting roles include Geoff Morrell as Detective Senior Sergeant Lance Fisk, the eccentric forensics expert who aids investigations across all three seasons. plays Dr. Imogene "Tootsie" Soames, the quirky pathologist providing essential autopsy details, featured across all seasons. recurs as Constable Dee Suzeraine, the squad's photographer and junior officer, across all three seasons. The casting process emphasized strong interpersonal chemistry for the lead detectives, with the series originally developed as an adaptation of Jennifer Rowe's Verity Birdwood novels and initially attached to the role of Tessa Vance before Bell was selected.

Guest appearances

Murder Call featured a wide array of guest stars from Australian and , who portrayed suspects, victims, witnesses, and other key figures in the episodic murder mysteries. These appearances often highlighted emerging and established talents, contributing to the show's authentic portrayal of Sydney-based investigations without introducing long-term recurring characters beyond the main cast.

Season 1 (1997)

The first season of Murder Call featured a range of Australian actors in guest roles, primarily portraying s, victims, and witnesses in standalone murder investigations. Notable appearances included as Petra Salinis, a key figure in the episode "Hot Shot," alongside as Jack Telfer in the same installment, highlighting early career roles for emerging talents in the crime genre. played Brodie Cochrane in "?," contributing to family dynamics central to the case, while appeared as Kim in "Black Friday," embodying a with complex motivations. These roles emphasized diverse character archetypes, from grieving relatives to enigmatic outsiders, supporting the series' procedural format without recurring guest arcs beyond the main ensemble.

Season 2 (1998)

Guest stars in the second season continued to showcase Australian television talent, with actors taking on varied parts as murder suspects, victims, and peripheral figures in episodic stories. Kerrie Erwin portrayed Carol Hauser, Paul Gleeson played Terry Maloney, and siblings Sarah Kants and Ivar Kants appeared as Angela and Hugo Riccadelli, respectively, in narratives involving interpersonal conflicts and hidden motives. Lara Mulcahy featured as Miriam in one episode, adding depth to witness testimonies, while Dee Smart appeared as Marlena Soeteman in "Dared to Death," representing the stunt and action elements often integrated into cases. The season's guests drew from a broad pool of local performers, enhancing the show's focus on realistic Australian settings and character-driven mysteries.

Season 3 (1999–2000)

The third season incorporated guest appearances in more intricate standalone plots. guest-starred as Rory Simmons in the finale "," portraying a pivotal in a theater-related investigation. Annie Byron appeared as Magda Trebor in the "Dead Offerings," delivering a as a enigmatic community member, while McFarlane played Adrian MacKerras in the same episode, contributing to themes of deception and legacy. These roles maintained emphasis on tense interrogations and revelations. Across all seasons, guest performers typically embodied killers, witnesses, or affected family members, providing fresh perspectives for each case without establishing major recurring characters outside the core cast. This approach allowed the series to explore diverse narratives while leveraging established Australian actors for authenticity.

Episodes

Season summaries

Season 1, which aired from August 11 to November 24, 1997, consists of 16 episodes and introduces the core team of homicide detectives Tessa Vance and Steve Hayden, establishing their contrasting personalities and partnership dynamics as they tackle initial cases involving community-related murders and personal vendettas. The season focuses on building the procedural format, with Vance's intuitive approach complementing Hayden's methodical style to resolve standalone mysteries often rooted in Sydney's urban underbelly. Season 2, comprising 20 episodes broadcast from July 7 to November 24, 1998, expands on the established team interactions, incorporating more intricate investigations that explore themes of , obsession, and concealed family secrets across a broader range of scenarios. Cases in this season delve deeper into psychological motivations, enhancing the detectives' professional rapport while maintaining the episodic structure centered on clue-based resolutions. Season 3, with 20 episodes airing from April 21, 1999, to October 9, 2000, escalates the stakes in the final investigations, featuring murders tied to societal issues, copycat crimes, and personal connections that test the team's resilience amid scheduling shifts to a new timeslot. The season concludes the series' run, emphasizing heightened tension in cases that occasionally involve the detectives more directly, such as school reunions or lab-related conspiracies. Throughout its , Murder Call eschews long-term serialization in favor of self-contained episodes, though subtle evolution in team relationships and minor personal subplots provide continuity, reflecting the detectives' growth in handling increasingly complex urban crimes.

Episode list

Murder Call consists of 56 episodes across , originally broadcast on Australia's between 1997 and 2000. The episodes are listed below in their original broadcast order; note that some rearrangements occurred between production and airing, and some modern streaming platforms present them in production order.
SeasonEpisodeTitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11Ashes to AshesGeoffrey CawthornRick Maier11 August 1997
12The BurialMark PiperDavid Phillips18 August 1997
13Richard JasekCathryn Strickland25 August 1997
14Dead CleanIan WatsonTed Roberts1 September 1997
15Chris Martin-JonesShelley Birse8 September 1997
16Hot ShotRichard SarellKristen Dunphy15 September 1997
17Black FridayRichard SarellDavid Phillips22 September 1997
18Last StopRichard JasekDenise Morgan29 September 1997
19Something WickedGeoffrey CawthornDenise Morgan6 October 1997
110Ian WatsonChris Hawkshaw13 October 1997
111Dead and GoneMark PiperDaniel Krige20 October 1997
112Geoffrey CawthornSally Webb27 October 1997
113Julian McSwineyAndrew Kelly3 November 1997
114Blood HeatGrant BrownRick Maier10 November 1997
115Fall From GraceRichard JasekChristine McCourt, Jo Horsburgh17 November 1997
116HeartstopperGrant BrownCathryn Strickland24 November 1997
21Dared to DeathGrant BrownAndrew Kelly7 July 1998
22Many Unhappy ReturnsRichard JasekKristen Dunphy14 July 1998
23Skin DeepJulian McSwineyChris Hawkshaw21 July 1998
24Fatal CharmGeoffrey CawthornChris Hawkshaw28 July 1998
25Short CircuitIan WatsonDavid Phillips4 August 1998
26Cold ComfortGeoffrey CawthornRobyn Sinclair11 August 1998
27Grant BrownKristen Dunphy18 August 1998
28More Than Meets the EyeJulian McSwineyDeborah Parsons25 August 1998
29Dead FallGeoffrey CawthornDavid Phillips9 September 1998
210–11DeadlineRichard SarellAndrew Kelly22 September 1998
212Something FishyRay QuintDeborah Parsons29 September 1998
213Grant BrownPeter Gawler6 October 1998
214Menu For MurderKarl SteinbergSally Webb13 October 1998
215Cry WolfChris Martin-JonesDenise Morgan20 October 1998
216Richard JasekLouise Crane27 October 1998
217Blowing the WhistleRay QuintDenise Morgan3 November 1998
218Instrument of DeathRichard SarellMargaret Morgan10 November 1998
219Bone DeadRichard JasekPeter Gawler17 November 1998
220Mix 'n' MatchRussell BurtonDenise Morgan24 November 1998
31Dead OfferingsChris Martin-JonesDeborah Parsons21 April 1999
32Evil ChancesPaul FaintAndrew Kelly28 April 1999
33Tongue TiedChris Martin-JonesPeter Gawler5 May 1999
34Dying DayGeoffrey CawthornRick Maier12 May 1999
35Chris Martin-JonesCathryn Strickland19 May 1999
36Death Down MarketKarl SteinbergDenise Morgan2 June 1999
37A Blow to the HeartKarl SteinbergMargaret Wilson16 June 1999
38Bad BusinessGeoffrey CawthornLouise Crane30 June 1999
39Hide & SeekRussell BurtonChris McCourt14 July 1999
310Booming BusinessJulian McSwineyDaniel Krige, Louise Crane28 July 1999
311Cut and DriedRay QuintLouise Crane4 August 1999
312A Stab in the DarkJulian McSwineyDavid Phillips14 August 2000
313Grave MattersRichard SarellSally Webb21 August 2000
314Paid in FullJulian McSwineyChris Hawkshaw28 August 2000
315Last ActSteve MannMargaret Wilson4 September 2000
316Scent of EvilSteve MannSusan Hore11 September 2000
317Still LifeKarl SteinbergDavid Phillips18 September 2000
318Absent FriendsChris Martin-JonesKatherine Thomson25 September 2000
319House of SpiritsGrant BrownCharlie Strachan2 October 2000
320Done to DeathPaul FaintDeborah Parsons9 October 2000

Broadcast and distribution

Original Australian broadcast

Murder Call premiered on the on 11 August 1997, with the first episode, "Ashes to Ashes," airing in a Monday night slot. The series ran for three seasons, concluding with its final episode, "Done to Death," on 9 October 2000. The first season consisted of 16 episodes broadcast weekly on Monday evenings from 11 August to 24 November 1997, establishing a consistent schedule as part of the Nine Network's drama programming lineup. Season 2 shifted to Tuesdays, airing 20 episodes mostly weekly from 7 July to 24 November 1998, though with occasional double episodes and minor gaps. Season 3 began on Wednesdays from 21 April to 4 August 1999, covering the first 11 episodes, before an extended hiatus due to production and network decisions. The remaining nine episodes resumed on Monday nights from 14 August to 9 October 2000, reflecting the irregular scheduling that characterized the later part of the series' run on the . The series aired during slots throughout its tenure, contributing to the popularity of Australian procedural dramas on commercial television, and concluded after its planned three-season arc without reported cancellation controversies, primarily due to rising production costs despite solid viewership.

International distribution and availability

Following its Australian run, Murder Call was distributed internationally by Southern Star Entertainment, achieving broadcasts in select markets primarily in and during the early 2000s. In , the series aired in both English and French versions under the original title "Murder Call". In Finland, it premiered on June 5, 2000, under the localized title Haasteena murha. broadcast the show as Murder Call, fréquence meurtre, while debuted it on September 30, 1998, and followed on April 6, 2007. In the , traditional television airings were limited, with availability shifting toward digital platforms post-2000. Home media releases have focused on DVD formats, with no Blu-ray editions produced. Via Vision Entertainment issued Murder Call: Season 1 on a four-disc set in 2019, restoring episodes to their original production order for the first time in . The complete series followed in a 14-disc collection released in 2020, encompassing all 56 episodes across in production sequence rather than broadcast airing. These Region 0 PAL imports are available through Australian retailers and international online vendors. As of November 2025, streaming options provide broad access in English-speaking regions, with episodes consistently presented in production order to align with narrative continuity. In the United States, the full series is available on (subscription required), , and (free with advertisements). Australian viewers can stream it on since 2022, while international audiences in and the access it via . This digital availability has sustained the show's presence in markets like and , despite modest initial syndication reach.

Reception and legacy

Critical and audience response

Murder Call received generally positive critical reception for its engaging procedural format and authentic depiction of Sydney's urban landscape, with reviewers highlighting the series' ability to blend suspenseful mystery plots with local flavor. Critics praised the show's gripping storylines, often drawing comparisons to British series like Midsomer Murders due to its pattern of featuring multiple murders per episode rather than isolated incidents. A 2019 review described it as a "quirky Aussie homicide show that withstands the test of time," noting its gritty yet wholesome approach to cases inspired by Jennifer Rowe's novels, emphasizing drama and character relationships over high-octane action. However, opinions were mixed regarding character depth, with some appreciating the well-defined roles and natural ensemble dynamics between leads Tessa Vance and Steve Hayden, while others critiqued the formulaic resolution where Vance frequently solved cases through similar plot devices. Audience response in underscored the series' popularity for its blend of humor—particularly light-hearted moments arising from 1990s technology like brick phones and video cassettes—and building , contributing to its status as a solid during its original run. On , it holds a 7.2/10 rating from 561 users as of November 2025, reflecting appreciation for the enthralling stories, fantastic production values, and noirish atmosphere that evoked a retro 1940s charm amid modern settings. Viewers have noted criticisms of repetitive episode structures, but overall, the show garnered enthusiasm for its entertaining without major controversies. The series saw a revival in interest with DVD releases of its seasons in 2019 by , leading to positive reviews. In the , Murder Call has experienced a nostalgic revival through streaming platforms such as and , where audiences value its 1990s retro elements, including dated tech and period-specific aesthetics, alongside the strong chemistry of its , which included diverse supporting roles for the era. Modern feedback highlights the series' enduring appeal as a light procedural, appreciated for its authenticity and lack of heavy emotional baggage, solidifying its legacy as an unpretentious entry in Australian television.

Awards and nominations

Murder Call received one notable during its run. In , the series won the Australian Cinematographers Society Golden Tripod in the category of Telefeatures, TV Drama & Mini Series for the episode "?", with Jeffrey Malouf recognized for his work. No major nominations, such as for the , were recorded for the series. The production was highlighted in Australian television archives for its technical excellence, particularly in , amid the competitive landscape of Australian broadcasting. No international awards or nominations were bestowed upon the show.

References

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