Blue Heelers (season 8)

Infobox tvseason
season_name = Blue Heelers - Season 8
headercolour = cedff2


caption = "Blue Heelers" cast of 2001
dvd_release_date = 2 October 2008
dvd_format = complete boxset
country = AUS
network = Seven Network
first_aired = 21 February 2001
last_aired =
28 November 2001
num_episodes = 41
prev_season = Season 7
next_season = Season 9The "eighth season" of the Australian police-drama "Blue Heelers" premiered on the Seven Network on 21 February 2001 and aired on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM. The 41-episode season concluded 28 November 2001.

Casting

Main cast for this season consisted of:
* John Wood as Sergeant Tom Croydon ["full season"]
* Julie Nihill as Christine 'Chris' Riley ["full season"]
* Martin Sacks as Detective Senior Constable Patrick Joseph 'P.J.' Hasham ["full season"]
* Paul Bishop as Senior Constable Benjamin 'Ben' Stewart ["full season"]
* Rupert Reid as Probationary Constable Jack Lawson ["until episode 313"]
* Jane Allsop as Probationary Constable Jo Parrish ["full season"]
* Caroline Craig as Sergeant Tess Gallagher ["full season"]
* Ditch Davey as Constable Evan 'Jonsey' Jones ["from episode 316"]

Notable guest actors who appeared in this season included Carol Burns, Richard Cawthorne,Norman Yemm, Val Lehman, David Clencie, Simon Burke, Terry Gill, Alethea McGrath, Gary Sweet, Rhys Muldoon, Gary Day, Lisa Crittenden, Julia Blake, Alan Hopgood, Gerard Kennedy, Lesley Baker and Kirsty Child.

Plot

Storylines included:
*Tess and Jack beginning a relationship which ended when he was arrested and convicted for murder,
*Tess falling for his replacement, Evan Jones — who joined the force to avenge his father's death,
*Tess taking in neglected child Hayley Fulton, (Emily Browning)
*Ben's continuing spiral of depression,
*and Tom finding love in enchanting local reverend Grace Curtis (Debra Lawrance), whose sons were less than thrilled with the match.

Production

Reception

Ratings in the 8th season began to decline ever so slowly, with many fans feeling that Maggie's absence, or the absence of the so-called "McCune-Factor" [Johnston, Peter. " [http://www.australiantelevision.net/bh/articles/woodfearsaxe.html Wood fears the axe] , The Herald-Sun, 25 January, 2004.] , (as well as the absence of several other popular characters) and the slightly repetitive storylines were getting in the way of the show's feel.

Awards

Episodes

References

;General
* Zuk, T. [http://www.australiantelevision.net/bh/series8.html Blue Heelers: 2001 episode guide] , Australian Television Information Archive. Retrieved 1 August, 2007.
* TV.com editors. [http://www.tv.com/blue-heelers/show/3333/episode_guide.html?season=8&tag=season_dropdown;dropdown;7 "Blue Heelers" Episode Guide - Season 8] , TV.com. Retrieved 1 August 2007.;Specific