Perdita
10-09-2008, 14:52
The cast and crew of ITV1's 1960s police drama Heartbeat are currently filming an episode for the next series on location in Australia.
Production of the Aussie special began on Monday and is expected to continue for two weeks.
Regulars Joe McFadden, Clare Wille and Lisa Kay - who play PC Joe Mason, DS Rachel Dawson and Nurse Carol Cassidy respectively - are currently filming on the Gold Coast and hope that a spinoff could be in the pipeline.
McFadden told news.com.au: "We were over in a really interesting place last week near Casino which hadn't changed much since the 1960s. Filming is going so well there is talk at the moment of perhaps doing a spinoff."
He added: "I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I might be involved."
Meanwhile, ex-Neighbours star Blair McDonough - Stu Parker in the soap - will guest in a number of episodes of the show. He plays a character called Mick MacDonald who reportedly 'lures Aidensfield's Rosie Cartwright (Vanessa Hehir) from the Yorkshire moors to warmer pastures Down Under'.
Series producer Kath Beedles told DS: "It's such an exciting opportunity to take Heartbeat to Australia as it's as close to the Aussie's hearts as it is to ours back home.
"We've found some fantastic locations, from Wongawallen to the Gold Coast, which work beautifully for the two episodes we are filming with Joe McFadden, Lisa Kay and Clare Wille."
Series 17 of Heartbeat is currently airing on Sundays at 8pm on ITV1, while series 18 is due to transmit next year, with an air date to be confirmed.
Production of the Aussie special began on Monday and is expected to continue for two weeks.
Regulars Joe McFadden, Clare Wille and Lisa Kay - who play PC Joe Mason, DS Rachel Dawson and Nurse Carol Cassidy respectively - are currently filming on the Gold Coast and hope that a spinoff could be in the pipeline.
McFadden told news.com.au: "We were over in a really interesting place last week near Casino which hadn't changed much since the 1960s. Filming is going so well there is talk at the moment of perhaps doing a spinoff."
He added: "I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I might be involved."
Meanwhile, ex-Neighbours star Blair McDonough - Stu Parker in the soap - will guest in a number of episodes of the show. He plays a character called Mick MacDonald who reportedly 'lures Aidensfield's Rosie Cartwright (Vanessa Hehir) from the Yorkshire moors to warmer pastures Down Under'.
Series producer Kath Beedles told DS: "It's such an exciting opportunity to take Heartbeat to Australia as it's as close to the Aussie's hearts as it is to ours back home.
"We've found some fantastic locations, from Wongawallen to the Gold Coast, which work beautifully for the two episodes we are filming with Joe McFadden, Lisa Kay and Clare Wille."
Series 17 of Heartbeat is currently airing on Sundays at 8pm on ITV1, while series 18 is due to transmit next year, with an air date to be confirmed.