Mission: Impossible (ABC Drama, Peter Graves, Thaao Penghlis)

This Mission: Impossible was a revivial of the classic 1960’s classic that relocated to Australia (mainly, it has to be said, because of a writers strike in Hollywood), the series saw Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) from the original show coming out of retirement following the death of one of his protégés and once again tangling with all manner of threats to the worlds stability, in an update of the originals “this tape will self destruct in five seconds” mission briefing this had briefings done by videotape and mini-discs.

Phelp’s team included master of disguise Nicholas Black (Thaao Penghlis); marksman Max Harte (Tony Hamilton), electronics expert Grant Collier (Phil Morris) and former secret service agent Shannon Reed (Jane Badler).

Filmed in Queensland (season ones 13 episodes) and in season two Melbourne but actually set in locations all over the world. The series had a budget of $1 million per episode.

Cast: Peter Graves as Jim Phelps; Thaao Penghlis as Nicholas Black; Tony Hamilton as Max Harte; Phil Morris as Grant Collier; Terry Markwell as Casey Randall; Jane Badler as Shannon Reed; Bob Johnson as the voice

Music: Lalo Schifrin / Producer: Michael Lake

Australia – USA / ABC – 9 Network – Jeffrey Hayes Productions – Paramount / 35×60 minute episodes / October 23, 1988 – February 24, 1990

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