# Rafferty's Rules

Rafferty's Rules is an Australian television drama series which ran from 1987 to 1991 on the Seven Network.
The producers of the series were Posie Graeme-Evans (1987–1988), and Denis Phelen. The directors were Graham Thorburn, Mike Smith and Russell Webb. The writers were David Allen, John Upton, Tim Gooding and David Marsh.
Rafferty's Rules was one of the first programs undertaken by the Seven Network’s then new in-house drama unit, going into production in May 1985 as "a 15-part courtroom drama". The program had started out as a pilot episode, recorded in early 1984 with the actor Chris Haywood in the lead role. When the pilot episode was remounted later in 1984, Chris Haywood wasn't available and the lead role was re-cast to John Wood. This second recording was eventually broadcast as the program's first episode. Initially it was hoped that the program would make its debut during the 1985 ratings season and there was an option to extend the series to 26 episodes if the initial response was positive.
By mid-1986, the media was asking questions as to why the series, "which had more pilots than TAA", had yet to appear. On Sunday 15 June 1986, The Sun-Herald TV Guide said, "The series was made last year and scripting of a new series has almost been completed".
Rafferty's Rules eventually debuted on the Seven Network in February 1987.
The series was also shown in New Zealand on TV3 in 1989, and in the UK on Satellite channel Lifestyle in 1991. In New Zealand, it was shown Fridays at 9:30 p.m. In the UK, it was shown daily at 14:00.
In Australia, the series was last replayed nationally at 3 p.m. weekdays in 2006 on the Seven Network, although not entirely. Prior to that, Seven broadcast the series at the 10–11 a.m. weekday timeslot in the late 1990s. More recently, in 2020, the series was available on the 7plus "on-demand" service.

## Awards

John Wood received the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor in both 1988 and 1989, and Catherine Wilkin received the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress in 1988.
Rafferty's Rules was named Best Drama Series at the 1988 Penguin Awards, while Peter Carroll won Best Actor in a Series and Michael Cove won Best Scriptwriter for Drama Series.

## Plot

Michael Aloysius Rafferty, who is a stipendiary magistrate, drives to work in an old blue VW Kombi van. He owns a cat named Rhubarb.
Rafferty is separated from his wife, with whom he had two children (a son and a daughter).
Rafferty also has an older daughter, Rebecca Browning, who is in her early twenties—and of whose existence he was unaware until she contacted him after she had grown up. (Rebecca's mother is a woman who Michael Rafferty had known before he met his wife, and who he had not seen since his marriage.)
Rafferty also has a brother, Patrick Rafferty, who is a state Member of Parliament.

## Cast
### Main / regular

* John Wood as Michael Rafferty, S.M.
* Simon Chilvers as Sgt. Julian Flicker, Police Prosecutor
* Arky Michael as Fulvio Frangellomini, Court Clerk
* Catherine Wilkin as Paulyne Gray, Public Defender
* Katy Brinson as Lisa Blake, Public Defender

### Recurring

| Actor | Role | Eps. |
| Andrew McFarlane | Sgt. Gibson, Police Prosecutor | 10 episodes |
| Julie Nihill | Cathy Gregory | 3 episodes |
| John Gregg | Baraclough | 6 episodes |
| Lisa Crittenden | Sandra Frangellomini | 5 episodes |
| Michael Long | Kilminster | 3 episodes |
| Paul Chubb | Patrick Rafferty | 3 episodes |
| Richard Carter | Detective Sgt. Brown | 21 episodes |
| Rhondda Findleton | Sue Gibson | 4 episodes |
| Terry Serio | Bomber Clayton, Police Prosecutor | 4 episodes |

### Guests

| Actor | Role | Eps. |
| Abigail | Michelle Dobbs | 1 episode |
| Alan Lovell | Police Constable Evans / Sam Rankin | 2 episodes |
| Alistair Duncan | Rex Jacoby | 1 episode |
| Alister Smart | Robson | 1 episode |
| Alwyn Kurts | George Bradstock | 1 episode |
| Amanda Muggleton | | 1 episode |
| Angela Punch McGregor | Christine Stanton | 1 episode |
| Anna Hruby | Di Mulroney | 1 episode |
| Anna Maria Monticelli | Diana Newby | 1 episode |
| Anna Volska | Frieda | 1 episode |
| Anni Finsterer | Narelle Grimes / TV Publicist | 2 episodes |
| Annie Byron | Christine Clarke | 1 episode |
| Arna-Maria Winchester | Rose Willis | 1 episode |
| Ben Gabriel | George | 1 episode |
| Ben Oxenbould | Dodger / Young Bank Customer | 2 episodes |
| Benita Collings | Magda | 1 episode |
| Bob Baines | Geoffrey Walter | 1 episode |
| Bob Hornery | Reg Dwight | 1 episode |
| Brett Climo | Peter Becker | 1 episode |
| Brian Rooney | Tommy | 1 episode |
| Brian Vriends | Lance Dewitt | 1 episode |
| Bruce Barry | Malcolm Farrer | 1 episode |
| Bruce Spence | Emmanuel Triggs | 2 episodes |
| Bruno Lucia | Franco Scali | 1 episode |
| Bryan Marshall | Brian Doyle | 1 episode |
| Carmen Duncan | Stella Samuels | 1 episode |
| Carol Raye | | |
| Craig Pearce | Lyle Jurd | 1 episode |
| Danielle Spencer | Toni Moller | 1 episode |
| Danny Adcock | Mick Robbins / George Henty | 2 episodes |
| Danny Roberts | Eric Blake | 1 episode |
| David Nettheim | Dr Turpin | 1 episode |
| David Wenham | Matthieson / Thug 1 | 2 episodes |
| Deborah Kara Unger | Jill Bennett | 1 episode |
| Deborah Kennedy | Miss Herron | 1 episode |
| Debra Byrne | Sally Edwards / Tricia Rogan | 2 episodes |
| Deidre Rubenstein | Peggy Guest | 1 episode |
| Denise Roberts | Babysitter | 1 episode |
| Dennis Miller | Ronald Harvey | 1 episode |
| Derryn Hinch | TV Newscaster | 1 episode |
| Dinah Shearing | Vera Grey | 1 episode |
| Doc Neeson | John 'Jacko' Corrigan | 1 episode |
| Ed Devereaux | Det Sgt Updike | 1 episode |
| Ernie Dingo | Wayne Williams | 1 episode |
| Esben Storm | Norm Angstrom | 1 episode |
| Frank Gallacher | Louis D'Oering | 1 episode |
| Frank Lloyd | Mr Fisher | 1 episode |
| Frankie J. Holden | Quiz Compere | 1 episode |
| Genevieve Lemon | Julie | 1 episode |
| Geoff Cartwright | Carl Jensen | 1 episode |
| Geoff Morrell | Alan Tillaman | Season 4, episode 9 |
| George Spartels | Stefan Bosnjak | 1 episode |
| Georgie Parker | Lucy | 1 episode |
| Gia Carides | Sally | 1 episode |
| Gillian Jones | Paula Brent | 1 episode |
| Glenn Shorrock | Ray Aston | 1 episode |
| Gosia Dobrowolska | Maz | 1 episode |
| Graeme Blundell | Billy Wiley | 1 episode |
| Greg Stone | | |
| Henri Szeps | Uncle Aniello | 2 episodes |
| Ivar Kants | Father Phelan | 1 episode |
| Jan Adele | Mrs Gunning | 1 episode |
| Jeanie Drynan | Carol Taylor | 1 episode |
| Jeff Truman | Hartnell | 1 episode |
| Jennifer Hagan | Nadine Karsky | 1 episode |
| Joanna Lockwood | | 1 episode |
| John Clayton | Harry Grant / Briggs | 2 episodes |
| John Ewart | George Burwood / Halliday | 2 episodes |
| John Hamblin | Tom Herman | 1 episode |
| John Polson | Garth Manson | 1 episode |
| John Sheerin | Bill Blake | 1 episode |
| Jon English | David Anson | Season 2, episode 2 |
| Jonathan Biggins | Angus MacLean | 2 episodes |
| Jonathan Coleman | Brandon | 1 episode |
| Jonathan Hardy | Mr Linnehan | 1 episode |
| Joy Hruby | Dero Lady / Mrs Barnes | 2 episodes |
| Judi Farr | Rhonda White | 1 episode |
| Julian McMahon | Police Witness | 1 episode |
| Julie Nihill | Cathy Gregory | 2 episodes |
| Justin Rosniak | Hamish | 1 episode |
| Kate Sheil | Joy Finlayson | |
| Kerry McGuire | Irene Doonan | 2 episodes |
| Kris McQuade | Pamela Gordon | 1 episode |
| Les Dayman | Sergeant Davis | 1 episode |
| Liddy Clark | Fay Irwin | 3 episodes |
| Lois Ramsey | Miss Mitford | 1 episode |
| Lorna Lesley | Connie Apps | 1 episode |
| Lorraine Bayly | Gwen Forster / Audrey Shepherd | 2 episodes |
| Lucky Grills | Darryl Hayes | 1 episode |
| Lyn Collingwood | Janine Graham | 1 episode |
| Lynette Curran | Dr Curlewis | 1 episode |
| Maggie Dence | Vanessa Pearce | 1 episode |
| Marina Finlay | Emma | 1 episode |
| Mark Strickson | Gavin Keyes | 1 episode |
| Marshall Napier | Alex Reid | 1 episode |
| Martin Vaughan | Bill Coglan / Jackie Blythe | 2 episodes |
| Matt Day | Jeff Wilson | 1 episode |
| Max Cullen | Mr Lee | 1 episode |
| Max Phipps | Vern O'Connor | 1 episode |
| Melissa Bell | Angela Griffin | 1 episode |
| Michael Caton | Joe Fletcher | 1 episode |
| Michele Fawdon | Narelle Saxon | 1 episode |
| Michelle Pettigrove | Libby Carroll | 1 episode |
| Miles Buchanan | Evan Fairchild | 1 episode |
| Monica Trapaga | Andy Martinez | 1 episode |
| Mouche Phillips | Mary Brent | 1 episode |
| Nancye Hayes | Sheree Martin | 1 episode |
| Neil Melville | Banks | 1 episode |
| Nick Enright | Captain Lewis | 1 episode |
| Nico Lathouris | Kevin Grumley | 1 episode |
| Nina Landis | Jan Mondale | 1 episode |
| Norman Coburn | Constable Skeggs / Doug | 2 episodes |
| Norman Kaye | Harold Messenger | 1 episode |
| Norman Yemm | Phil Newman | 1 episode |
| Normie Rowe | Geoff Wirrell | 1 episode |
| Owen Weingott | Karl Becker / Samuel Spink | 2 episodes |
| Pat Bishop | Mrs Annie Hartnoll | 1 episode |
| Patrick Phillips | Young Solicitor | 1 episode |
| Patrick Ward | Ian 'Freddy' Frogmore | 1 episode |
| Penne Hackforth-Jones | Sinclair / Danielle | 2 episodes |
| Peta Toppano | Dana Coldrick | 1 episode |
| Peter Fisher | Ritchie McMahon / Robbo | 2 episodes |
| Peter Greenwood | Robert Guthrie, football thug | 1 episode |
| Peter Hayes | Peter Booth | |
| Peter Carroll | Percy Eliot | 1 episode |
| Peter Hosking | Gavin Courtney | 1 episode |
| Peter Kowitz | Bernie Manders | 1 episode |
| Peter Phelps | James Frederick | 1 episode |
| Peter Whitford | Harmon / William Walker | 2 episodes |
| Phillip Ross | Tom Daley | 1 episode |
| Queenie Ashton | Mrs Capra | 1 episode |
| Ralph Cotterill | Ken Parker | 1 episode |
| Ray Meagher | George | 1 episode |
| Rebecca Rigg | Rebecca Browning | 2 episodes |
| Rebecca Smart | Jackie Rogan | 1 episode |
| Richard Moir | Geoffrey Sole | 1 episode |
| Ritchie Singer | Mr Yilmaz / P.C. Falco | 2 episodes |
| Robert Coleby | David Andrews | 1 episode |
| Robert Mammone | Brad / Craig Hill | 2 episodes |
| Robert Taylor | Constable Hanks | 1 episode |
| Rod Mullinar | Harry Bartle | 1 episode |
| Roger Ward | Albert Potts | 2 episodes |
| Ron Graham | Frank White | 1 episode |
| Ron Shand | Sid Clutten | 1 episode |
| Ross Newton | James | 1 episode |
| Roy Billing | Reg Markham | 1 episode |
| Russell Crowe | Bobby Jarvis | 1 episode |
| Sandy Gore | Helen Hawthorne | 2 episodes |
| Sarah Chadwick | Ms Finnegan | 1 episode |
| Sarah Lambert | Rudi Apps | 1 episode |
| Sheila Florance | Mrs Patterson | 1 episode |
| Simon Westaway | Vincent Paul Vincent | 1 episode |
| Steven Vidler | Barry Baxter | 1 episode |
| Stuart Wagstaff | Scott Hopkins | 2 episodes |
| Susan Lyons | | 1 episode |
| Ted Hamilton | Snowy White | 1 episode |
| Tiffany Lamb | Liz | 1 episode |
| Tim Robertson | Mervyn Starkey | 1 episode |
| Tina Bursill | Erica Jamieson | 2 episodes |
| Vince Sorrenti | Joe Szabo | 1 episode |
| Vincent Ball | Mathew | 1 episode |
| Wayne Pygram | Bathgate | 1 episode |
| Wendy Playfair | | 1 episode |
| William McInnes | Craig Farner | 1 episode |
| Willie Fennell | Jim Stevens | 1 episode |
| Wynn Roberts | Matt Keegan | 1 episode |
| Zoe Carides | Janine Tate / Mardi | 2 episodes |

## Series location

The series is based at a Magistrates' Court in Manly (a Sydney beachside suburb), over which Rafferty presided.