Janet CollinsMDA – Another Beauty Relegated to Late Night TV
April 20th 2009 23:57
Kerry Armstrong as Dr Ella Davis
These days late night television can often be better than prime time. Last night while sitting up late on came MDA (Medical Defence Australia). It was a re-run of course of an ABC serial that first came on to our screens probably around six years ago.
It was a drama that focussed around an organisation that supported doctors in legal cases against them. The cast was excellent led by Kerry Armstrong (Sea Change, Lantana) as Dr Ella Davis, a medical indemnity case manager and Shane Bourne (City Homicide, Blue Heelers) as Bill “Happy” Henderson, senior legal case manager. Their greatest threat is Richard Savage, a specialist lawyer in medical litigation played by Jason Donovan (Neighbours, The Heroes) who represents plaintiffs suing the medical staff.
Aaron Pederson (Wildside) also starred in the series as Dr Tony McKinnon and there were some fine newcomers in Alice McConnell as Lawyer Caitlin King, Angus Grant, as medical case manager, Jamie Lawless and Petra Yard as Receptionist and Student Liaison Officer, Layla Young.
I was addicted to this series when it came out but many of the critics were often not kind saying it was too verbose. I actually didn’t mind that because the dialogue and the whole scripts were great. Just because it wasn’t full of screeching cars and shouting people didn’t deter me one bit.
MDA had a few of our known and experienced actors and introduced a few new good ones to us. The storylines were excellent and the whole production of it was very slick.
If you’re not a late night person, pop in a video and record it because it is well worth a watch. It is a great medical and legal drama. I certainly enjoyed it as much as I had several years ago and I hope you will too.
Image credit: ABC MDA site
| 95 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Comment by Mau-Medellin
Mau-Medellin
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
Sorry Kerry, but misleading the public does not a good actress make.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
i had not heard about that controversy before, but i just googled it and it really was a bit crazy!
Coco-Cola "apology" for Kerry Armstrong ad
apparently the ACCC compelled Coca-Cola to clarify on a few things that were misleading, so they "set the record straight" lol
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I loved her in Lantana too. I haven't seen Razzle Dazzle but I willl look it up because she is really such a good actor.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I do know the story about the Coca Cola Ad. Actors often are asked to endorse things and you can't blame them for wanting to earn a living. The acting profession is a tough one and I don't hold this against her. I think she is a great actor and has done a lot for Australian TV.
Nobody criticises the kids who go on McDonalds ads. So why give out to "Armstrong about Coke?
Comment by Mau-Medellin
Mau-Medellin
She's an adult.. you can't blame a kid for doing an ad when they would most likely have little idea about the implications and effects of it.
My concern with the Coke ad is more so that she lent her name to such a dubious campaign. It's no different (in my eyes) to when someone in the public spotlight is caught breaking the law, or being vulgar.
Kerry is a well known Aussie icon, and the Coke incident just seems to have taken a big bite out of her credibility. Sure, she needs to make a living, and endorsing products is a great way to cash in when the acting gigs are scarce... but she could have chosen something a little more fitting. Like the Magic Bullet, Flavour Wave, or one mineral make-up hehe
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I've been catching the late night reruns of the show.
I think this is the first time I've seen Jason Donovan act, and I mean really act. He's obviously capable, he just needs good material.
Most of the best shows Australia produces are either on ABC or SBS.
They don't dumb it down. They assume the audience has a brain and is more than capable to use it.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Well said. I think we all think of Jason Donovan as in Neighbours but since then he has had a rather long career often on stage, but I think this was more in London.
This obviously really honed his skills because he is terrific in MDA. And yes, most of the good Aussie productions are on ABC or SBS. I did a post not so long ago on Wildside which I enjoyed and has also being playing late. Most of the stars from this one at one stage headed overseas due to lack of work here, which is a real shame.
Thank you for visiting. Your comments are always interesting to read.