Shadows of the Heart

Shadows of the Heart is a two-part 1990 Australian television mini-series directed by Rod Hardy and starring Josephine Byrnes. The story was based on the life and biography of Dr Joy Seager who was the only doctor on Kangaroo Island in 1925. She published her biography as Kangeroo Island Doctor in 1980.

Plot

A female doctor, Kate Munro moves to Gannet Island off the South Australian coast in 1927. Conflict between traditional religious values and modern scientific medicine ensues as she forms a relationship with two men who are brothers, one a grazier and one a priest.

Cast

Josephine Byrnes as Dr. Kate Munro
Jerome Ehlers as Father Michael Hanlon
Marcus Graham as Vic Hanlon
Jason Donovan as Alex Fargo
Robyn Nevin as Mrs. Hanlon
Barry Otto as Charles Munro
Harold Hopkins as Willy Carter
Nadine Garner as Lanty Fargo
Michael Caton as Frank Barrett
Colleen Hewett as Emily Fargo
Annie Byron as Rose Flanagan
Lisa Hensley as Jillian Hughes
William McInnes as Denny Taylor
Edwin Hodgeman as Edward Bennett
Kelly Dingwall as Andy Keegan
Production

Shadows of the Heart was shot between 22 January and 17 March 1990 on Kangaroo Island, and in the old butter factory at Milang, both in the state of South Australia. Joy Seager died in 1991.

Nominations and awards

The series was nominated in the Best Miniseries or Telefeature category in the 1991 [Australian Film Institute Awards], and Josephine Byrnes was nominated for AACTA Award for Best [Lead Actress in a Television Drama|Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama].