Heartbreak High
Heartbreak High is an Australian television program created by Michael Jenkins and Ben Gannon that ran from 1994 to 1996 on Network Ten and 1997 to 1999 on ABC, for seven series. It was also partially funded from 1996 by BBC2, with some episodes airing in the UK ahead of their local release. The drama has been described as more gritty and fast-paced than many of its contemporaries,[1][2] and follows the lives of students and staff at a multicultural Sydney high school.
| Heartbreak High | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Written by | Peter Neale Craig Wilkins David Phillips Leon Saunders Sally Webb Chris Roache Serge Lazareff Kevin Roberts Peter A. Kinloch Howard Griffiths |
| Directed by | Michael Jenkins Andrew Prowse Karl Zwicky Jessica Hobbs Ian Gilmour Catherine Millar Geoff Bennett Steve Mann Ian Watson Nico Lathouris |
| Theme music composer | Todd Hunter |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 210 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Production company | Gannon Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | Network Ten (1994–1996) ABC TV (1997–1999) |
| Picture format | 4:3 (PAL) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | 27 February 1994 – 29 November 1999 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | The Heartbreak Kid |
The first five series were set at the fictional Hartley High and filmed in Maroubra Bay High School in Maroubra, New South Wales in the Eastern Suburbs.[3] Series six and seven were set at the fictional Hartley Heights, and filmed in Warriewood in the Northern Beaches.
The show is a spin-off of the 1993 Australian feature film The Heartbreak Kid, which also featured Alex Dimitriades, Nico Lathouris, Doris Younane, Scott Major and Katherine Halliday as early versions of their Heartbreak High characters.
In 2020, Netflix announced that an 8-episode reboot, created by Hannah Carroll Chapman, would air in 2022.[4]
Series synopsis
Heartbreak High had its origins in the 1987 stage play, The Heartbreak Kid, written by Richard Barrett and starring Gia Carides and Arky Michael. The play centered on Papa, a 22-year-old Greek-Australian teacher at an inner city school, who has an affair with her student, Nicky, and explored the restrictiveness of Greek culture, as well as racial tensions within Australian society. The play was first performed by the Griffin Theatre Company at the Stables Theatre in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, and adapted into the 1993 film The Heartbreak Kid, directed by Michael Jenkins and filmed in the inner suburb of Prahran, Victoria. Jenkins and producer Ben Gannon developed Heartbreak High as a spin-off of the film, with several cast members reprising their roles, reimagined in a Sydney setting.
The first series, which was initially centered around the Poulos family, consisted of 38 episodes and premiered on Network Ten on February 27, 1994. A second series of 14 episodes premiered on May 21, 1995, and began following a floating timeline, with the students established as being in their last school year and preparing for the HSC, but not sitting for their exams until the beginning of series five (after enduring several cast changes and with nearly two years passing in real time). A third series of 13 episodes premiered on August 20, 1995.
The show was axed after two years on Network Ten, however 26 more episodes were subsequently produced with funding from BBC2. They aired the first thirteen episodes in the UK from March 26, 1996 to June 16, 1996, then thirteen more episodes from September 3, 1996 to December 3, 1996. Network Ten eventually aired these episodes to meet their local drama quota in a late night timeslot from August 5, 1996 to November 11, 1996, splitting the 45-minute episodes into 23-minute parts, allowing two episodes to be aired weekly across four nights (Mondays to Thursdays). Although later (and international) airings of the episodes were screened in full, the show would continue to follow this soap opera formula in Australia when it was subsequently bought and revived by the ABC.[5]
Series five first aired on BBC2 in the UK from December 10, 1996 to October 14, 1997, and in Australia on the ABC from February 3, 1997[6] to June 19, 1997, a total of 39 episodes.[7] This series had the most significant cast change, with the majority of remaining cast members being phased out of the show within the first six episodes, and the show shifting focus from the Bordino family onto the Scheppers family. A new school year begins from the eighth episode onwards and continues in a floating timeline, with students in their last school year but not sitting for their HSC exams until midway through series seven (with over two years passing in real time).
Series six marked the debut of Hartley Heights, the student's new school location. The first 20 episodes of series six aired on the ABC from June 23[8] to August 28, 1997.[9] After nearly a year of repeats, 20 more episodes aired from July 1[10] to September 8, 1998.[11]
The seventh and final series first aired on BBC2 in the UK from December 8, 1998 to November 9, 1999, and in Australia on the ABC from July 15[12] to December 1, 1999, for a total of 40 episodes.[13] The show was eventually cancelled as selling another series to foreign TV stations proved increasingly difficult. BBC2 had no interest in buying an additional series, due to scheduling delays a backlog of episodes had built up, and the program was forced to wrap up production.
Cast and characters
Cast timeline
Lighter colors denote guest appearances versus series regulars.
Original cast members
- Alex Dimitriades as Nick Poulos (episodes 1–38), a popular and athletic 17-year-old Greek-Australian student at Hartley High, romantically involved with Jodie and Danielle, dies in the boxing ring from a brain aneurysm in episode 38
- Sarah Lambert as Christina Milano (episodes 1–26), English and History teacher, 22-years-old, Italian-Australian, moves to Indonesia with philanthropist Mack Winston (Peter Kowitz) in episode 26
- Katherine Halliday as Rose Malouf (episodes 1–49), Lebanese-Australian student, editor of the school newspaper, romantically involved with Jack and Con, marries Jack and transfers to his school in episode 49
- Salvatore Coco as Con Bordino (episodes 1–71, guest in 94), Nick's best friend and cousin, known for his mobile phone and business savvy, romantically involved with Rose and Katerina, leaves Hartley for a student exchange program in Santa Monica in episode 71
- Emma Roche as Danielle Miller (episodes 1–91), student, romantically involved with Steve, Nick and Declan, leaves Hartley to accept a job at a community station in Wollongong in episode 91
- Corey Page as Steve Wiley (episodes 1–65), student, romantically involved with Danielle and Lucy, dies offscreen in accident after episode 65
- Doris Younane as Yola Fatoush (episodes 1–52), school guidance counsellor and substitute English and History teacher, 30-years-old, Lebanese-Australian, roommates with Christina, and later Sam, transfers to school in Yanderra with Southgate in episode 52
- Scott Major as Peter Rivers (episodes 1–65), student, bad boy, romantically involved with Chaka, Katerina and Sam, runs away with Sam up north in episode 65
- Abi Tucker as Jodie Cooper (episodes 1–65), student, aspiring singer, romantically involved with Nick and Matt, leaves Hartley to pursue her musical career in episode 65
- Isabella Gutierrez as Chaka Cardenes (episodes 1–14), Salvadoran student, romantically involved with Rivers, moves to Darwin with her family in episode 14
- Tai Nguyen as Jack Tran (episodes 1–26, guest in 37–49), Vietnamese student, romantically involved with Rose, transfers to a selective school in episode 22 but returns in guest appearances
- Tony Martin as Bill Southgate (episodes 1–52), Science teacher, later acting principal, transfers to school in Yanderra with Yola in episode 52
- Hugh Baldwin as Graham Brown (episodes 1–26, guest in 53, 71), Maths and Music teacher, gay, not seen after episode 26 but makes guest appearances in later seasons as though he never left
- Stephen O'Rourke as Jim Deloraine (episodes 1–69), school principal, Matt's uncle, has a heart attack and retires in episode 69
- Jan Adele as Ruby St John (episodes 1–26), owner of Ruby's, the local milk bar and pool hall where the students spend most of their time after school, not seen after episode 26
- Elly Varrenti as Irini Poulos (episodes 1–8), Nick's mother, Greek, dies from car accident-related injuries in episode 8
- Nico Lathouris as George Poulos (episodes 1–29, guest in 30), Nick's father, Greek, later romantically involved with Stella, moves back to Greece in episode 30
- Despina Caldis as Effie Poulos (episodes 1–65), Nick's 12-year-old sister, Con's cousin, not seen after episode 65
Series 1 additions
- Peta Toppano as Stella Ioannou (episodes 9–28), housekeeper to the Poulos family, later romantically involved with George, moves to Greece in episode 28
- Ada Nicodemou as Katerina Ioannou (episodes 16–28, 54–130), Stella's daughter, aspiring dancer, Greek-Australian, romantically involved with Rivers, Con and Charlie, leaves for performance school in Perth in episode 130
- Barbara Gouskos as Helen Bordino (episodes 29–96, guest in 8, 25), Con's mother and Irini's sister, works as a caterer, leaves for an extended vacation through Europe and the United States in episode 96
- Ivar Kants as Roberto Bordino (episodes 29–96, guest in 8, 25, 27), Con's father, works in construction, leaves for an extended vacation through Europe and the United States in episode 96, played by Francesco Caudullo in the character's first appearance
- Kym Wilson as Sam Robinson (episodes 30–35, 53–65, guest in 29, 36), English and History teacher, romantically involved with Rivers and Andrew, runs away with Rivers up north in episode 65
- Alexandra Brunning as Lucy Weston (episodes 36–51, guest in 30–35), student at another school, romantically involved with Steve, leaves for a six-month exchange program in Japan in episode 51
Series 2 additions
- Vince Poletto as Matt Logan (episodes 39–97), student, Deloraine's nephew, romantically involved with Jodie, Allie and Stassy, graduates high school in episode 97
Series 3 additions
- Inge Hornstra as Allie Matts (episodes 55–87), student, Steve's half sister, romantically involved with Matt and Tom, leaves for a literary fellowship in London in episode 87
- Ian Bliss as Andrew Bell (episodes 56–78), Science teacher, romantically involved with Sam, leaves to join a research team in Antarctica in episode 78
Series 4 additions
- Jon Pollard as Alan Bolton (episodes 66–95, guest in 1–58), student, skater, class clown, romantically involved with Stassy, leaves for Canberra to become an event organizer in episode 95
- Deni Gordon as Ronnie Brooks (episodes 67–130), English and History teacher, African-American from Harlem, New York, leaves at the closure of Hartley High in episode 130
- Diane Craig as June Dyson (episodes 69–92), school principal, leaves for Brisbane with her son in episode 92
- Rupert Reid as Declan Costello (episodes 72–104), student, singer, romantically involved with Danielle, leaves for Bathurst for a nursing program in episode 104
- Tara Jakszewicz as Stassy Sumich (episodes 73–97), student, Yugoslavian Australian, romantically involved with Matt and Bolton, goes travelling with Matt in episode 97
- Simon Baker-Denny as Tom Summers (episodes 80–87), Science teacher, romantically involved with Allie, fired in episode 87
- Sebastian Goldspink as Charlie Byrd (episodes 81–130), student, aspiring computer scientist, romantically involved with Katerina, Anita and Melanie, leaves for Perth in episode 130
Series 5 additions
- Rebecca Smart as Melanie Black (episodes 95–136), student, romantically involved with Charlie, leaves for Tasmania with her dying boyfriend Andrew in episode 136
- Rel Hunt as Ryan Scheppers (episodes 98–186), student, Anita's older brother, romantically involved with Mai, Nikki and Sarah, graduates high school in episode 186
- Lara Cox as Anita Scheppers (episodes 98–193, 204–210, guest in 203), student, Ryan's younger sister, romantically involved with Drazic, Charlie and Kurt
- Tina Bursill as Hilary Scheppers (episodes 98–133), Ryan and Anita's mother, nurse, moves to Melbourne to pursue a job offer in episode 133
- Callan Mulvey as Bogdan Drazic (episodes 99–210), student, skater, Yugoslavian Australian, romantically involved with Anita and Mai
- Peter Sumner as Les Bailey (episodes 99–134), school principal, later a science and maths teacher at Hartley Heights, quits after a sexual harassment complaint in episode 134
- Nina Liu as Mai Hem (episodes 104–152), student, performance artist and activist, Chinese Australian, romantically involved with Ryan and Drazic, leaves to pursue a music video directing career in episode 152
Series 6 additions
- Fleur Beaupert as Nikki Ruark (episodes 131–169), student, aspiring singer, romantically involved with Kurt and Ryan, leaves to recover from a nervous breakdown in episode 169
- Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Kurt Peterson (episodes 131–186), student, school jock, aspiring marine biologist, romantically involved with Nikki, Anita and Thania, graduates high school in episode 186
- Andrea Moor as Di Barnett (episodes 131–186), school principal, gets a job at a bigger school in episode 186
- Frederick Miragliotta as Gerrard Albers (episodes 133–152), Humanities teacher, Spanish, leaves to become an artistic director of a regional theatre company in episode 152
- Nathalie Roy as Sarah Livingston (episodes 139–150, 153–186), student, Christian, romantically involved with Ryan, graduates high school in episode 186
- Elaine Hudson as Kath Livingston (episodes 139–150), Sarah's mother, housekeeper to the Scheppers family, leaves for the country in episode 150
- Mario Gamma as Peter D'Esposito (episodes 151–174, guest in 137, 183–206), Drazic's friend, owner of the Shark Pool, later works at school canteen
- Marcel Bracks as Lee Delaine (episodes 153–199, guest in 200), student, school outcast, leaves for a fresh start at another school in episode 200
- Morna Seres as Jill Delaine (episodes 153–199, guest in 200), Lee's mother, leaves with Lee in episode 200
- John Walton as Nat Delaine (episodes 153–185), Lee's father, Humanities teacher at Hartley, leaves in episode 185
- Putu Winchester as Dennis Klinsmann (episodes 170–210, guest in 131–169), student, class clown
Series 7 additions
- Tasneem Roc as Thania Saya (episodes 175–210), student, artist, romantically involved with Kurt and Marco
- Bianca Nacson as Gemma Whitley (episodes 186–210), student, romantically involved with Zac, expelled in episode 209
- Luke Jacobz as Zac Croft (episodes 187–210), student, romantically involved with Gemma and Tess
- Elena Carapetis as Jackie Kassis (episodes 187–210), Science teacher
- John Gregg as Alan Carson (episodes 187–210), school principal, English and History teacher
- Danny Raco as Marco Vialli (episodes 191–210), student, Italian-Australian, romantically involved with Thania
- Katherine Hicks as Tess Mason (episodes 200–210), student, goth girl, romantically involved with Zac
- Mark Owen-Taylor as Tim Mason (episodes 200–210), Tess's father
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | ||||
| 1 | 38 | February 27, 1994 | November 27, 1994 | ||
| 2 | 14 | May 21, 1995 | August 13, 1995 | ||
| 3 | 13 | August 20, 1995 | November 12, 1995 | ||
| 4 | 26 | March 26, 1996 (UK) August 5, 1996 (Australia) | November 11, 1996 | ||
| 5 | 39 | December 3, 1996 (UK) February 3, 1997 (Australia) | June 19, 1997 | ||
| 6 | 40 | June 23, 1997 | September 8, 1998 | ||
| 7 | 40 | December 8, 1998 (UK) July 15, 1999 (Australia) | November 9, 1999 (UK) December 1, 1999 (Australia) | ||
Distribution
International versions
Heartbreak High was broadcast in over 70 countries and dubbed into a number of different languages, most of which gave it a new name.
| Country | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|
 Argentina Chile Mexico Peru |
Aprendiendo a vivir ("Learning to live") |
Canal 9 Chilevision Azteca 13 TNP |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Belgium France |
Hartley, cœurs à vif ("Hartley, hearts alive") |
VRT (Flemish) & Plug RTL (French) France 2 |
 Czech Republic North Macedonia Poland Russia |
Škola zlomených srdcí Uchilishte skrsheni srca Szkoła złamanych serc Школа разбитых сердец ("School of broken hearts") |
SuperMax & TV Nova A1 TVP 1 & TVN TV-6 |
 Estonia |
Koolide kool ("School of schools") |
Kanal 2 |
 Germany |
Heartbreak High | ZDF & Sat.1 |
 Greece |
Heartbreak High | Skai & New |
 Hungary |
Szívtipró gimi ("Heartbreaking high school") |
MTV1 |
 Iceland |
Fjör á Fjölbraut ("Animation at school") |
RÚV |
 India |
Heartbreak High | Zee Café |
 Indonesia |
Heartbreak High | Indosiar |
 Israel |
Tichon Ha'Levavot Ha'Shvurim תיכון הלבבות השבורים ("Broken hearts high school") |
Channel 1 |
 Kosovo |
Vitet e arta ("Golden years") |
RTV21 |
 Lithuania |
Neramioji Gimnazija ("Restless gymnasium") |
LRT |
 Netherlands |
Heartbreak High | VARA |
 Norway |
Heartbreak High | TV2 |
 Portugal |
Amores e Rebeldia ("Loves & Rebellion") |
RTP1 |
 Serbia |
Nestašne godine ("Mischievous years") |
3K RTS, TV Stankom, Art TV |
 Spain |
Los Rompecorazones ("The Heartbreakers") |
TVE1 & TVE2 |
 United Arab Emirates |
Heartbreak High | City7tv |
The show aired in its original form in Canada on Showcase, in Ireland on RTÉ2, in the United Kingdom on BBC2, Children's BBC, Trouble and TCC, and in the United States on Encore WAM.
From 2009 to 2010, ABC3 repeated the series in Australia. On November 27, 2020, all seven seasons of the show were released worldwide on streaming platform Netflix, with the exception of France, Belgium and French speaking territories, where it is available on myTF1.[14]
Home releases
The first 26 episodes of the first season were released in Australia as a DVD box set by Umbrella Entertainment on 5 October 2011. This DVD set is region free, featuring original 4:3 Full Frame and 2.0 English Dolby Digital Sound.[15][16] The last 13 episodes of the first season, along with every episode of the second season were released as a second DVD box set on 7 March 2012.[17] The season three DVD box set was released by Umbrella Entertainment on 6 June 2012.[18] According to Umbrella Entertainment's Facebook page, subsequent seasons of the show were never released due to music licensing issues.
The dubbed German version of the show's first season was also released in two DVD sets in Germany, with no English audio track.[19]
Novelisations
The original stage play has been published and reprinted in conjunction with the show, along with a number of show guides and tie-in novelisations.
- The Heartbreak Kid (1988) by Richard Barrett
- Heartbreak High: Rap Pack (1994) by Meredith Costain
- Heartbreak High: Offside (1994) by Meredith Costain
- The Official Heartbreak High Book (1995)
- Heartbreak High: Love/Hate (1998) by Jacquie Kent
- Heartbreak High: Making Up/Breaking Up (1998) by Jacquie Kent
- Heartbreak High: Secrets & Lies (1998) by Jacquie Kent
- Heartbreak High: Tough Call (1998) by Jacquie Kent
- Heartbreak High: The Inside Story (2021) by Helen Heath & Ian Golden[20]
Soundtracks
Heartbreak High: The Album was released in 1994, featuring music from Kulcha, Motiv8, Culture Shock, Chocolate Starfish, The Sharp, Electric Hippies, Renegade Funktrain, Hunters & Collectors, Abi Tucker, The Poor, The Screaming Jets, Baby Animals, Connie Mitchell, Sisters Underground, 3 the Hard Way, Frente! and Hoodoo Gurus.
Heartbreak High: Music from the ABC TV Series was released in 1997, featuring Human Nature, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Christine Anu, Swoop, Custard, Def FX, Past to Present, Frente!, The Badloves, The Paradise Motel and Wicked Beat Sound System.
References
- Winarnita, Monika. "Asian Women in Australian Soap Operas: Questioning Idealized Hybrid Representation (Monika Winarnita) - Academia.edu". Anu.academia.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- Hawthorne, Lesleyanne (1995). "Soap Opera in a Multicultural Australia: Home and Away v Heartbreak High" (PDF). Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research Bulletin. 15: 32–35. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/secret-suburb-maroubra-is-filled-with-loads-of-hidden-gems-from-the-beach-to-the-people-who-live-and-work-there/news-story/a591293073ac580f676861de47275b14
- "Netflix Rebooting Australian Series 'Heartbreak High' for 2022". What's on Netflix. 6 December 2020.
- https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36314/6/36314_Digitised%20Thesis.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/19991013132311/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh06.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20000229150549/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh25.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20000229174543/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh26.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/19990218134907/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh36.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/19981207041812/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh827.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/19990221211317/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh837.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/19991012050727/http://abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh170.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20000303032043/http://www.abc.net.au/heartbreak/episode/hh206.htm
- https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/streaming/heartbreak-high-is-coming-to-netflix/news-story/e32e429a188fa2d22f113d9205883be0
- "Heartbreak High Series 1". Umbrella Entertainment. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- Heartbreak High Season 1 DVD Promo (Series One) on YouTube
- "Heartbreak High Series 2". Umbrella Entertainment. 4 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- "Heartbreak High Series 3". Umbrella Entertainment. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- "Heartbreak High - Season 1.1". Amazon.de. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- http://www.heartbreakhigh.co.uk