Heartbreak High

Heartbreak High is an Australian television program that ran for six years, through seven seasons from 1994 to 1999 on both Network Ten and ABC. The programme dealt with the students of the fictional Hartley High (replaced by Hartley Heights from season 6 onwards), a tough high school in a multiracial area of Sydney, and has been described as a more gritty and fast-paced show than many of its contemporaries.[1][2]

Heartbreak High
Title card
Written byTim Gooding
Elizabeth Coleman
Philip Dalkin
Directed byDan Burstall
Mandy Smith
Theme music composerTodd Hunter
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series7
No. of episodes210
Production
Running time50 minutes
Production companyGannon Television
Release
Original networkNetwork Ten (1994–1996)
ABC TV (1997–1999)
Picture format4:3 (PAL)
Audio formatStereo
Original release27 February 1994 (1994-02-27) –
29 November 1999 (1999-11-29)
Chronology
Related showsThe Heartbreak Kid

The show is a spin-off of the 1993 Australian feature film The Heartbreak Kid, which features cast members Alex Dimitriades, Nico Lathouris, Doris Younane, Scott Major and Katherine Halliday as early versions of their Heartbreak High characters. Later seasons of the show shifted emphasis from the Poulos family and the school setting, with a group of students living independently in a warehouse, while working at the local hangout, the "Shark Pool".

The show was initially filmed in Maroubra Bay High School in Maroubra, New South Wales.[3]

The series is set to be rebooted by Netflix for release in 2022.[4]

Transmission

The program was transmitted by Network Ten between 1994 and 1996, and by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation between 1997 and 1999. It was also successful in sales internationally and was broadcast in over twenty-five countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America. After the sixth series the ABC axed the show as selling another series to foreign TV stations proved increasingly difficult. The BBC had no interest in buying an additional series; due to scheduling delays a backlog of episodes had built up, and the program was forced to wrap up production.

Cast

Timeline

Lighter colors denote guest appearances versus series regulars.

Series 1 (1994, episodes 1–38)

The first season premiered on Network Ten on 27 February 1994, and aired weekly at 6:30pm on Sundays. Midway through the year the show's time slot was changed to 7:30pm Wednesdays, where it aired until its finale on 9 November 1994 after 38 episodes.

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Alex Dimitriades Nick Poulos 1–38 student, Greek Australian, Con's cousin, romantically involved with Jodie and Danielle, dies from brain aneurysm in episode 38
Sarah Lambert Christina Milano 1–26 English and History teacher, Italian Australian, moves to Indonesia in episode 26
Katherine Halliday Rose Malouf 1–38 student, Lebanese Australian, romantically involved with Jack
Salvatore Coco Con Bordino 1–38 student, Greek-Italian Australian, Nick's cousin
Emma Roche Danielle Miller 1–38 student, romantically involved with Steve and Nick
Corey Page Steve Wiley 1–38 student, romantically involved with Danielle and Lucy
Doris Younane Yola Fatoush 1–38 school guidance counsellor, Lebanese Australian, roommates with Christina and later Sam
Scott Major Peter Rivers 1–38 student, romantically involved with Chaka, Katerina and Sam
Abi Tucker Jodie Cooper 1–5, 6–9 (credit only)
10–38		 student, singer, romantically involved with Nick
Isabella Gutierrez Chaka Cardenes 1–14 student, Salvadoran, romantically involved with Rivers, moves to Darwin with her family in episode 14
Tai Nguyen Jack Tran 1–22, 23–26 (credit only)
37–38 (guest)		 student, Vietnamese Australian, romantically involved with Rose, moves to a selective school in episode 22 but returns in guest appearances
Tony Martin Bill Southgate 1–38 Science teacher, later acting principal
Hugh Baldwin Graham Brown 1–26 Maths and Music teacher, gay, not seen after episode 26 but makes guest appearances in later seasons
Stephen O'Rourke Jim Deloraine 1–20, 21–24 (credit only)
25–38		 school headmaster
Jan Adele Ruby St John 1–26 owner of local milk bar Ruby's, not seen after episode 26
Elly Varrenti Irini Poulos 1–8 Nick's mother, dies from car accident-related injuries in episode 8
Nico Lathouris George Poulos 1–30 Nick's father, later romantically involved with Stella, moves back to Greece in episode 30
Despina Caldis Effie Poulos 1–38 Nick's sister

Additions

Actor Character Episodes Role
Peta Toppano Stella Ioannou 9–28 housekeeper to the Poulos family, later romantically involved with George, moves to Greece in episode 28
Ada Nicodemou Katerina Ioannou 16–28 student, Stella's daughter, romantically involved with Rivers, moves to Greece in episode 28
Barbara Gouskos Helen Bordino 8, 25 (guest), 29–38 Con's mother
Ivar Kants Roberto Bordino 8, 25, 27 (guest)
29–38		 Con's father, played by Francesco Caudullo in the character's first appearance
Kym Wilson Sam Robinson 29 (guest), 30–35
36 (guest)		 English and History teacher, romantically involved with Rivers, fired from the school in episode 36
Alexandra Brunning Lucy Weston 30–35 (guest), 36 (credit only)
37–38		 private school student, romantically involved with Steve

Series 2 (1995, episodes 39–52)

The second season premiered on Network Ten on 28 May 1995, with Vince Poletto joining the cast, replacing Alex Dimitriades. The season finale aired on 27 August 1995 after 14 episodes.

Starting with this season, the show follows a floating timeline. The students are established as being in their last school year and preparing for the HSC, however the class do not sit for their exams until the beginning of the show's fifth season (after enduring several cast changes and with nearly two years passing in real time).[5][6]

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Vince Poletto Matt Logan 39–52 student, Deloraine's nephew, romantically involved with Jodie
Abi Tucker Jodie Cooper 39–52 student, singer, romantically involved with Matt
Salvatore Coco Con Bordino 39–52 student, romantically involved with Rose
Emma Roche Danielle Miller 39–52 student
Scott Major Peter Rivers 39–52 student
Katherine Halliday Rose Malouf 39–49 student, romantically involved with Con, marries Jack and moves to his school in episode 49
Corey Page Steve Wiley 39–52 student, romantically involved with Lucy
Doris Younane Yola Fatoush 39–52 school guidance counsellor and substitute English and History teacher, moves to a school in Yanderra in episode 52
Tony Martin Bill Southgate 39–52 Science teacher, moves to a school in Yanderra in episode 52
Alexandra Brunning Lucy Weston 39–51 private school student, romantically involved with Steve, leaves for a six month exchange program in Japan in episode 51
Barbara Gouskos Helen Bordino 39–52 Con's mother
Ivar Kants Roberto Bordino 39–52 Con's father
Despina Caldis Effie Poulos 39–52 Con's cousin
Stephen O'Rourke Jim Deloraine 39–52 school headmaster, Matt's uncle

Series 3 (1995, episodes 53–65)

The third season premiered on Network Ten on 3 September 1995, with Kym Wilson returning to the cast. The season finale aired on 26 November 1995 after 13 episodes.

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Vince Poletto Matt Logan 53–65 student, Deloraine's nephew, romantically involved with Jodie and Allie
Abi Tucker Jodie Cooper 53–65 student, singer, romantically involved with Matt, leaves school to pursue her musical career in episode 65
Salvatore Coco Con Bordino 53–65 student, romantically involved with Katerina
Emma Roche Danielle Miller 53–65 student, romantically involved with Steve
Scott Major Peter Rivers 53–65 student, romantically involved with Katerina and Sam, runs away with Sam up North in episode 65
Corey Page Steve Wiley 53–65 student, romantically involved with Danielle, dies offscreen in accident after episode 65
Kym Wilson Sam Robinson 53–65 English and History teacher, romantically involved with Andrew and Rivers, runs away with Rivers up North in episode 65
Barbara Gouskos Helen Bordino 53–65 Con's mother
Ivar Kants Roberto Bordino 53–65 Con's father
Despina Caldis Effie Poulos 53–65 Con's cousin, not seen after episode 65
Stephen O'Rourke Jim Deloraine 53–65 school headmaster, Matt's uncle

Additions

Actor Character Episodes Role
Ada Nicodemou Katerina Ioannou 54–65 student, romantically involved with Rivers and Con
Inge Hornstra Allie Matts 55–65 student, Steve's half sister, romantically involved with Matt
Ian Bliss Andrew Bell 56–65 Science teacher, romantically involved with Sam

Series 4 (1996, episodes 66–91)

Heartbreak High was axed after two years on Network Ten, however, 26 more episodes were produced with funding from BBC2. Network Ten eventually aired them as a final season from 16 June 1996 until 8 December 1996 to meet their local drama quota, before the show was subsequently bought and revived by ABC.[7] After three seasons as a recurring guest star, Jon Pollard was made a series regular, replacing Scott Major.

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Vince Poletto Matt Logan 66–91 student, Deloraine's nephew, romantically involved with Allie and Stassy
Inge Hornstra Allie Matts 66–87 student, romantically involved with Matt and Tom, leaves for a literary fellowship in London in episode 87
Salvatore Coco Con Bordino 66–71 student, romantically involved with Katerina, leaves for a student exchange program in Santa Monica in episode 71
Emma Roche Danielle Miller 66–91 student, romantically involved with Declan, leaves to become a television reporter in Wollongong in episode 91
Jon Pollard Alan Bolton 66–91 student, romantically involved with Stassy
Ada Nicodemou Katerina Ioannou 66–91 student, romantically involved with Con and Charlie
Ian Bliss Andrew Bell 66–78 Science teacher, leaves to join a research team in Antarctica in episode 78
Barbara Gouskos Helen Bordino 66–91 Con's mother
Ivar Kants Roberto Bordino 66–91 Con's father
Stephen O'Rourke Jim Deloraine 66–69 school headmaster, Matt's uncle, has a heart attack and retires in episode 69

Additions

Actor Character Episodes Role
Deni Gordon Ronnie Brooks 67–91 English and History teacher, African-American
Diane Craig June Dyson 69–91 school headmistress
Rupert Reid Declan Costello 72–91 student, romantically involved with Danielle
Tara Jakszewicz Stassy Sumich 73–91 student, Yugoslavian Australian, romantically involved with Matt and Bolton
Simon Baker-Denny Tom Summers 80–87 Science teacher, romantically involved with Allie, fired in episode 87
Sebastian Goldspink Charlie Byrd 81–91 student, romantically involved with Katerina

Series 5 (1997, episodes 92–130)

The fifth season aired on ABC from 3 February 1997[8] until 18 June 1997, after 39 episodes.[9] The show began to follow a soap opera formula, with traditional 43–45 minute episodes aired in two 20–23 minute parts, allowing two episodes to be aired weekly across four nights (Mondays to Thursdays). Later airings of the episodes screened the episodes in full.

The season has the most significant cast change, with the majority of remaining cast members being phased out of the show within the first six episodes. A new school year begins from the eighth episode onwards and continues in a floating timeline, with students in their last school year but not sitting for their HSC exams until midway through the seventh season (with over two years passing in real time).

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Vince Poletto Matt Logan 92–97 student, romantically involved with Stassy, graduates high school in episode 97
Ada Nicodemou Katerina Ioannou 92–130 student, romantically involved with Charlie, leaves for Perth in episode 130
Jon Pollard Alan Bolton 92–95 student, leaves for Canberra to become an event organizer in episode 95
Rupert Reid Declan Costello 92–104 student, leaves for a nursing program in episode 104
Sebastian Goldspink Charlie Byrd 92–130 student, romantically involved with Katerina, leaves for Perth in episode 130
Tara Jakszewic Stassy Sumich 92–97 student, romantically involved with Matt, goes travelling with Matt in episode 97
Deni Gordon Ronnie Brooks 92–130 teacher, leaves at the closure of Hartley High in episode 130
Barbara Gouskos Helen Bordino 92–96 Con's mother, leaves for a European vacation in episode 96
Ivar Kants Roberto Bordino 92–96 Con's father, leaves for a European vacation in episode 96
Diane Craig June Dyson 92 school headmistress, leaves for Brisbane with her son in episode 92

Additions

Actor Character Episodes Role
Rebecca Smart Melanie Black 95–117, 118–121 (credit only)
122–130		 student
Rel Hunt Ryan Scheppers 98–130 student
Lara Cox Anita Scheppers 98–130 student
Tina Bursill Hilary Scheppers 98–130 Ryan and Anita's mother
Callan Mulvey Bogdan Drazic 99–130 student, Yugoslavian Australian
Peter Sumner Les Bailey 99–130 school headmaster
Nina Liu Mai Hem 104–130 student, Chinese Australian

Series 6 (1997–98, episodes 131–170)

This season marked the debut of Hartley Heights, the student's new school location, along with new cast members Fleur Beaupert, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor and Andrea Moor.

The first 20 episodes of the sixth season aired on ABC from 23 June 1997[10] until 28 August 1997.[11] After nearly a year of repeats, 20 more episodes aired from 1 July 1998[12] until 8 September 1998.[13]

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Callan Mulvey Bogdan Drazic 131–170 student
Rel Hunt Ryan Scheppers 131–170 student
Fleur Beaupert Nikki Ruark 131–169 student, leaves to recover from a nervous breakdown in episode 169
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor Kurt Peterson 131–170 student
Rebecca Smart Melanie Black 131–136 student, leaves for Tasmania with her boyfriend in episode 136
Lara Cox Anita Scheppers 131–170 student
Andrea Moor Di Barnett 131–170 school headmistress
Tina Bursill Hilary Scheppers 131–133 Ryan and Anita's mother, moves to Melbourne to pursue a job offer in episode 133
Peter Sumner Les Bailey 131–134 science and maths teacher, quits after a sexual harassment complaint in episode 134
Nina Liu Mai Hem 131–152 student, leaves to pursue a music video directing career in episode 152

Additions

Actor Character Episodes Role
Frederick Miragliotta Gerrard Albers 133–152 teacher, leaves to become an artistic director of a regional theatre company in episode 152
Nathalie Roy Sarah Livingston 139–150, 153 (credit only)
154–170		 student, leaves for the country with Kath in episode 150, returns from episode 154
Elaine Hudson Kath Livingston 139–150 Sarah's mother, leaves for the country in episode 150
Mario Gamma Peter D'Esposito 137 (guest), 151–170 owner of the Shark Pool
Marcel Bracks Lee Delaine 153–170 student
Morna Seres Jill Delaine 153–170 Lee's mother
John Walton Nat Delaine 153–170 Lee's father
Putu Winchester Dennis Klinsmann 131–169 (guest), 170 student

Series 7 (1999, episodes 171–210)

The seventh and final season first aired on ABC from 12 July 1999[14] until 29 November 1999, after 40 episodes.[15]

Regular Cast

Actor Character Episodes Role
Callan Mulvey Bogdan Drazic 171–210 student
Rel Hunt Ryan Scheppers 171–186 student, graduates high school in episode 186
Putu Winchester Dennis Klinsmann 171–210 student
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor Kurt Peterson 171–186 student, graduates high school in episode 186
Nathalie Roy Sarah Livingston 171–186 student, graduates high school in episode 186
Mario Gamma Peter D'Esposito 171–174, 183–206 (guest) owner of the Shark Pool
Lara Cox Anita Scheppers 171–192, 193 (credit only)
203 (guest), 204–210		 student
Marcel Bracks Lee Delaine 171–200 student, leaves for another school in episode 200
Morna Seres Jill Delaine 171–200 Lee's mother, leaves with Lee in episode 200
John Walton Nat Delaine 171–185 Lee's father, leaves in episode 185
Andrea Moor Di Barnett 171–186 headmistress, leaves for a bigger school in episode 186

Additions

Actor Character Episodes Role
Tasneem Roc Thania Saya 175–210 student
Bianca Nacson Gemma Whitley 186–209, 210 (credit only) student, expelled in episode 209
Luke Jacobz Zac Croft 187–210 student
Elena Carapetis Jackie Kassis 187–210 teacher
John Gregg Alan Carson 187–210 school headmaster
Danny Raco Marco Vialli 191–210 student
Katherine Hicks Tess Mason 200 (credit only), 201–210 student
Mark Owen-Taylor Tim Mason 200 (credit only), 201–210 Tess's father

DVD Release

The first 26 episodes of the first season were released in Australia as a DVD box set by Umbrella Entertainment on 5 October 2011. This DVD set is region free, featuring original 4:3 Full Frame and 2.0 English Dolby Digital Sound.[16][17] The last 13 episodes of the first season, along with every episode of the second season were released as a second DVD box set on 7 March 2012.[18] The season three DVD box set was released by Umbrella Entertainment on 6 June 2012.[19] According to Umbrella Entertainment's Facebook page, subsequent seasons of the show were never released due to music licensing issues.

The dubbed German version of the show's first season was also released in two DVD sets in Germany, with no English audio track.[20]

International

Heartbreak High was broadcast in the following countries:

All seven seasons of the show were released worldwide on streaming platform Netflix on 27 November 2020, with the exception of France and French speaking territories, where it is available on myTF1.[21]

References
  1. Winarnita, Monika. "Asian Women in Australian Soap Operas: Questioning Idealized Hybrid Representation (Monika Winarnita) - Academia.edu". Anu.academia.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  2. Hawthorne, Lesleyanne (1995). "Soap Opera in a Multicultural Australia: Home and Away v Heartbreak High" (PDF). Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research Bulletin. 15: 32–35. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  3. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/secret-suburb-maroubra-is-filled-with-loads-of-hidden-gems-from-the-beach-to-the-people-who-live-and-work-there/news-story/a591293073ac580f676861de47275b14
  4. "Netflix Rebooting Australian Series 'Heartbreak High' for 2022". What's on Netflix. 6 December 2020.
  5. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16143/1/Joshua_Green_Thesis.pdf
  6. https://televisionau.com/2015/01/1995-january-28-february-3.html
  7. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36314/6/36314_Digitised%20Thesis.pdf
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/19991013132311/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh06.htm
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20000229150549/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh25.htm
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20000229174543/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh26.htm
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/19990218134907/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh36.htm
  12. https://web.archive.org/web/19981207041812/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh827.htm
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/19990221211317/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh837.htm
  14. https://web.archive.org/web/19991012050727/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh170.htm
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20000303032043/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh206.htm
  16. "Heartbreak High Series 1". Umbrella Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  17. Heartbreak High Season 1 DVD Promo (Series One) on YouTube
  18. "Heartbreak High Series 2". Umbrella Entertainment. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  19. "Heartbreak High Series 3". Umbrella Entertainment. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  20. "Heartbreak High - Season 1.1". Amazon.de. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  21. https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/streaming/heartbreak-high-is-coming-to-netflix/news-story/e32e429a188fa2d22f113d9205883be0
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