Classic TV Guides: Pig In A Poke

(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article features names and images of people who have died)

The 1977 ABC series Pig In A Poke took a raw look at life in inner-suburban Sydney. A spin-off from the 1974 TV play of the same name, Pig In A Poke told the story of a Melbourne doctor, Dr Peter Reynolds (played by Paul Mason), who leaves his comfortable medical practice to move to Sydney to buy, sight unseen, a practice in the suburb of Redfern.

Over the five episode series, Pig In A Poke covers some of the grittier tales of life in the volatile suburb as Dr Reynolds’ practice becomes involved in the lives of some of the locals including abused women, Greek migrants, Aboriginals and transgender people.

Starring with Mason in Pig In A Poke is Justine Saunders as the Dr Reynolds’ receptionist, Maureen. Guest roles are played by a mix of professional actors, including Ray Meagher, Neil Fitzpatrick, Philippa Baker, Arianthe Galani, Tessa Mallos, Athol Compton, Holly Brown and Eve Summers, and amateurs.

The script, written by husband and wife team John Dingwall and Margaret Kelly, won both Logie and Sammy awards, and actor Fitzpatrick won the Logie for Best Individual Performance by an Actor.