Bodyline
Series Overview
Dramatization of the 1932/33 Test cricket series between England and Australia. Played in Australia, the series gained notoriety in Australian and worldwide cricketing history for the fact that the English team (headed by captain Douglas Jardine) applied a bowling technique called "leg theory", or more commonly, Bodyline. This technique involved bowlers bowling the ball directly at the batsman's body, and resulted in many of the Australian team receiving numerous bruises and injuries, with batsman Bert Oldfield sustaining a cracked skull. The series generated much anger and resentment towards the English team within Australia and seriously damaged Anglo-Australian cricketing relations at the time.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 7 Episodes
1984 – 1984
Premiered: Mon, Jul 16, 1984
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 1: “Empire”
Douglas Jardine is introduced at his 9th birthday in Bombay, Lord Harris explains the significance of the soon to be famous Harlequin cap, and his parents bid him an emotional farewell as he departs to be educated in England, first at Horris Hill School later at Winchester College. Andrew Lane teaches the young Jardine that cricket is a thinking mans game 'you don't bowl a batsmen out, you think him out'. Jardine emerges from WW1 tall and athletic, reserved and determined, this determination attracts interest from Percy Fender (Surrey Captain) who is impressed with Jardine's captaincy. Meanwhile a young Harold Larwood is introduced bowling for money at the coal mine where he works and in Australia a certain Don Bradman is selected first for New South Wales and then in 1928 for Australia during Jardine's first tour down under.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
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Hugo Weaving
Douglas Jardine
Gary Sweet
Donald Bradman
Jim Holt
Harold Larwood
Rhys McConnochie
Pelham Warner
John Gregg
Percy George Fender
Heather Mitchell
Edith
Frank Thring
Lord Harris
Max Cullen
Clive 'Chooka' Cooper (Reporter)
John Walton
Bill Woodfull
Ashok Banthia
Nawab of Pataudi
Alan David Lee
Eddie Paynter
Bill Young
Bill Bowes
Terry Bader
Bob Wyatt
Richard Carter
Bill Voce
Arthur Dignam
Mr. Jardine
Jane Harders
Mrs. Jardine
John Clayton
Mr. Bradman
Colleen Fitzpatrick
Mrs. Bradman
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Lex Marinos, George Ogilvie
Robert Caswell, George Miller, George Ogilvie, Terry Hayes, Lex Marinos, Francine Finnane, Carl Schultz, Denny Lawrence
Chris Neal
Dean Semler
David Stiven, Richard Francis-Bruce
George Miller, Byron Kennedy, Doug Mitchell, Terry Hayes
Department Leadership Roster
Lex Marinos
Director
George Ogilvie
Director
Robert Caswell
Writer
George Miller
Writer
Robyn Richards
Costume Design
George Miller
Producer
George Ogilvie
Writer
David Stiven
Editor
Terry Hayes
Writer
Owen Williams
Production Design
Lex Marinos
Writer
Terry Hayes
Producer
Francine Finnane
Writer
Carl Schultz
Writer
Dean Semler
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Bodyline.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bodyline
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is Bodyline about?
Dramatization of the 1932/33 Test cricket series between England and Australia. Played in Australia, the series gained notoriety in Australian and worldwide cricketing history for the fact that the English team (headed by captain Douglas Jardine) applied a bowling technique called "leg theory", or more commonly, Bodyline. This technique involved bowlers bowling the ball directly at the batsman's body, and resulted in many of the Australian team receiving numerous bruises and injuries, with batsman Bert Oldfield sustaining a cracked skull. The series generated much anger and resentment towards the English team within Australia and seriously damaged Anglo-Australian cricketing relations at the time.
How many seasons does Bodyline have?
Bodyline comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in Bodyline?
Key cast members in Bodyline include Hugo Weaving, Gary Sweet, Jim Holt, Rhys McConnochie, John Gregg.
Who created or directed Bodyline?
Bodyline was developed and directed by Lex Marinos, George Ogilvie.