Taurus Rising
Taurus Rising is an Australian soap opera produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation and Dixie Normus for the Nine Network in 1982. Originally intended by the network to be a replacement for The Sullivans, the series was one of a number of attempts to provide an Australian alternative to the glossy American supersoaps Dallas and Dynasty and featured two wealthy Sydney-based feuding families, the Brents and the Drysdales. To this end, it represented something of a stylistic departure for Grundy's. Unlike most other Australian soap operas which were recorded on videotape, Taurus Rising was shot entirely on film.
Taurus Rising | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama Soap opera |
Created by | Reg Watson |
Country of origin | Australia |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 21 |
Production | |
Production company | Reg Grundy Organisation |
Release | |
Original network | Nine Network |
Original release | 27 July – 17 December 1982 |
It cost $2 million to make.[1]
Taurus Rising proved to be an expensive failure after it failed to win an audience and was cancelled after 21 episodes. The series did later prove popular in international markets and was subsequently sold to American cable television, marketed as a 21-part "miniseries".
Cast
The Brents | |
---|---|
Jennifer Brent | Annette Andre |
Mike Brent | Andrew Clarke |
Harry Brent | Gordon Glenwright |
The Drysdales | |
Ben Drysdale | Alan Cassell |
Faith Drysdale | Betty Lucas |
Keith Drysdale | Andrew Sharp |
Phil Drysdale | Damon Herriman |
Elizabeth Drysdale | Marina Finlay |
Isabella Drysdale | Georgie Sterling |
Other characters | |
Alice Blake | Linda Newton |
Sam Farrer | Michael Long |
Libby Hilton | Diane Craig |
Malcolm Adams | Vic Hawkins |
Marie | Jessica Noad |
References
- "For 'Taurus Rising', success is in the stars". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 11 August 1982. p. 26. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- Mercardo, A., 2004, Super Aussie soaps. North Melbourne: Pluto Press.