Rake 

Criminal lawyer Cleaver Greene defends the indefensible - from bigamists to cannibals and everything in between. He is champion of the lost cause, both in the court room and in the bedroom.

Creators:

Peter Duncan, Richard Roxburgh, Charles Waterstreet

Stars:

Richard Roxburgh, Matt Day, Kate Box

8 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Richard Roxburgh	...	Cleaver Greene 40 episodes, 2010-2018
Matt Day	...	David Potter 40 episodes, 2010-2018
Kate Box	...	Nicole 40 episodes, 2010-2018
Caroline Brazier	...	Wendy Greene / ... 39 episodes, 2010-2018
Adrienne Pickering	...	Melissa Partridge / ... 36 episodes, 2010-2018
Keegan Joyce	...	Fuzz Greene / ... 33 episodes, 2010-2018
Russell Dykstra	...	Barney Meagher 32 episodes, 2010-2016
Damien Garvey	...	Cal McGregor 32 episodes, 2012-2018
Danielle Cormack	...	Scarlet Meagher / ... 28 episodes, 2010-2016
Tom Poulton	...	Max Meagher 19 episodes, 2010-2016
Madeline Towns	...	Zoe Meagher 18 episodes, 2010-2016

Storyline

Criminal lawyer Cleaver Greene defends the indefensible - from bigamists to cannibals and everything in between. He is champion of the lost cause, both in the court room and in the bedroom.

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Plot Keywords:

barrister | 

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Taglines:

The Bar Has Been Lowered (season 1)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

ABC [Australia]

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Polish Indonesian Turkish

Release Date:

13 July 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rake

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essential Media & Entertainment, Blow by Blow Productions, Screen Australia

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Australia Rake was rated MA 15+. In New Zealand the first two series received a rating of R16 for sex scenes, violence, drug use and offensive language; series three was given a rating of R18 for violence, offensive language, drug use and sex scenes.

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Connections

Referenced in I Be Geniusen Stuff: Rake S3-4 (2017)

User Reviews

Anti-hero is a sympathetic character

Every once in a (long) while the Australian TV industry can dig up a gem. You're never quite sure which network will produce the next 'East West 101' or 'MDA', but chances are that an intriguing new show will turn up on the government-owned ABC.

That is certainly the case with 'Rake', which I understand has been signed off for a third season - and is also the model for an American version to go into production shortly.

I wouldn't have bothered writing a review for this series, but felt compelled to respond to remarks from reviewer colbur-1. Many of the actors making cameo appearances in this show are well-known names, as other reviewers have noted, but of the regulars probably only Richard Roxburgh would be well known outside the framework of this series.

Regrettably, I don't see any of the "cringeworthy jingoism" or 1960s insularity. This is an immensely entertaining show if you can stand the robust language and moral ambivalence. But even in that context the heroic stature of Matt Day's character serves as a foil to Roxburgh's.

The beauty of this series, beyond the wonderful character development, is that the stories overcome that stumbling block of Australian film and TV: mediocre script writing. Being based on reality and frequently drawing on true life situations 'Rake' eases willing suspension of disbelief even as it descends further into the surreal.

It's a show that will shock and amuse; it's by no means a typical sitcom, but it's real life, with its flawed villains and cynics - mostly with their redeeming virtues. Even farm girl-turned-mobster and part-time lusty wench Kirsty - played by Robyn Malcolm - has her own reasons for her actions.

And if that isn't enough to draw you in to watch this show, I don't know what will.