To celebrate its 90th anniversary, the ABC is posting classic TV dramas. One of these is Corelli. It is on a square screen but otherwise is as relevant today as it was in 1995. It is so much more than the set where Deborra-Lee Furness met Hugh Jackman.
The series was created by Denise Roberts and Carol Long. The portrayal of prison life is spot-on. From the first scene, you get a visceral feel for a prison: the noise, the bravado, the underlying menace, and the need for constant vigilance. The psychologists’ offices are squirrelled into the thick prison walls – the only light from high-set windows. Lack of funds frustrates the officials and has dire consequences for the prisoners. Nothing has changed since the nineties except a safe cell now has plumbing.
It begins with a movie-length episode where Louisa Corelli (Furness) begins work as a prison psychologist who is determined to do her job well. She identifies a recent brain injury in a prisoner, Kevin Jones (Jackman), and tries to help him. Sister Pat (Sue Jones) warns her against getting too involved. Corelli’s relationship with Kevin Jones is an ongoing theme.
![](https://sistersincrime.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Corelli-pic.jpg)
Each episode also has a stand-alone story. It’s hard to pick which is the most heartbreaking. Your sympathy is with both the prisoners and officers. There is a line-up of terrific actors, many that you’ll not get a chance to see again. The directors include Kate Woods (Looking for Alibrandi). Combine that talent with good plots and smart dialogue and you have a series that keeps you glued to your chair – until it is too much, I took a few agitated tea breaks.
Co-creator and writer, Denise Roberts (you may remember her as the receptionist Julie in GP), doubles down playing a prison officer in two episodes and is totally compelling. I’m a Denise Roberts fan-girl.
Keep an eye out for Ruby Hunter in Episode 7.
ABC iView – 10 episodes, Episode 1 is 1 hour 30 minutes, Episodes 2-10 are 50 minutes each.
Note: Sisters in Crime was thrilled when Deborra-Lee Furness presented its 2nd Scarlet Stiletto Awards in Melbourne in 1995.