Luke’s Kingdom (ITV 1976, Oliver Tobias, Gerard McGuire)

Period drama series Luke’s Kingdom was set in the early 19th century when the Firbank family were attempting to start a new life in Australia. The family after emigrating had learned that the land they thought they would be getting had been taken by someone else forcing them to fight for their rights.

The series started in the present day with a young woman reading the memoirs of an E.V. Timm’s called Pages From a Squatter’s Diary, New South Wales 1829 to 1836. The series was a UK-Australia co production. Director Peter Weir then went on to make Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Luke’s Kingdom was filmed in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and at a cost of $2 million. Producer Anthony Essex died not long after the completion of the series, his brother Francis also composed the incidental music for the series.

production details
Australia – UK / Channel 9 – ITV – Yorkshire / 13×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 31 March – 23 June 1976 (UK transmission dates)

Executive Producer: Tony Essex / Music: Francis Essex / Novel: E.V. Timms

cast
OLIVER TOBIAS as Luke Firbeck
GERARD McGUIRE as Samuel Firneck
ELISABETH CROSBY as Jassy
JAMES CONDON as Jason
DAVID BAXTER as Jack Skelton