Homicide (Australian TV Series) - Characters

Characters

Note: Characters' ranks (except for Detective Inspector) changed in accordance with real-life changes in the Victoria Police Force. For example, Detective Sergeant Mackay becomes Detective Senior Sergeant to reflect his role as the squad's number-two when this rank was introduced, while Barnes becomes a Senior Detective after the rank of Detective was abolished.

• Insp. Jack Connolly (John Fegan) - 1964-1969

A gruff but warm-hearted pipe-smoking Irishman who worked his way up through the ranks from constable. Takes long service leave prior to retiring from the force in episode 204, "Chain of Evidence".

• Det. Sgt. Frank Bronson (Terry McDermott) - 1964-1966

A capable and calculating detective, married with children, Bronson can be very tough when necessary, but is generally easy-going with a strong core of humanity and humour. Shot dead by an escaped convict (played by Gerard Kennedy) in episode 58, "Vendetta".

• Det. Rex Fraser (Lex Mitchell) - 1964-1965

Young, impulsive, and single, Fraser is a ladies man and a milk drinker (instead of alcohol), and only recently assigned to the squad. Transferred to another squad after being promoted to Senior Detective in episode 27, "Fifth Column".

• Sen. Det. / Det. Sgt. / Det. Snr. Sgt. David Mackay (Leonard Teale) - 1965-1973

Known as 'Mac', Mackay is a tough cop with high ideals about justice. Initially he has a large chip on his shoulder - he had been a Detective Sergeant before, but was demoted to Senior Detective because of a report by Bronson. This initially triggers conflict when Mackay realizes Bronson is to be his superior officer, but he mellows and matures over the years. Promoted to Sergeant after Bronson's death, Mackay is eventually promoted to Inspector and transferred to Ballarat in episode 383, "Assassin". In the final episode, "The Last Task", Mackay returns to help out his old squad in a case. The final scene had the cast looking through a doorway into the lens of the camera - ostensibly farewelling Mac, but actually saying goodbye to the viewer.

• Sen. Det. Bill Hudson (Leslie Dayman) - 1966-1968

A crack shot who hates the idea of killing anyone - but is forced to do so on several occasions in order to protect other people's lives - Hudson is a 'new breed' type of detective, well-trained in scientific methods of detection and with a modern approach to everyday living - in contrast to Connolly's solid beat-trained old-school type of detective. He is transferred from Forensic to assist Homicide after Mackay is seriously wounded by a prison escapee, and remains with the squad afterwards. After being forced to shoot another person once too often, Hudson is granted a leave of absence in episode 161, "The Pay Off".

• Det. / Sen. Det. / Det. Sgt. Peter Barnes (George Mallaby) - 1966-1974

Transferred from the Sydney Vice Squad, Barnes is a brash young cop - and a bit of a swinging bachelor - promoted to Detective at an earlier age than usual. He matures over the years, developing into a talented, formidable detective but retaining his good nature and sense of humour. Promoted to Sergeant after Mackay transfers out, Barnes has a nervous breakdown shortly afterwards from the strain of non-stop murder cases in episode 395, "One Too Many".

• Sen. Det. Bert Costello (Lionel Long) - 1968-1969

A first-generation Australian of Italian descent who, like his predecessor Hudson, has been transferred from Forensic. Killed in a mine cave-in during a case in episode 210, "A Quiet Town".

• Insp. Colin Fox (Alwyn Kurts) - 1968-1974

Originally from Maldara in country Victoria, a widower who lives with his unmarried daughter, Fox is greatly respected by the other detectives who realise his bark is worse than his bite - but don't let on. Shrewd with a dry sense of humour, Fox has a deep and mature respect for the role he fills. Shot dead by a sniper in episode 383, "Assassin".

• Sen. Det. Jim Patterson (Norman Yemm) - 1965-1974

A tough-as-nails cop with a direct methodology and a devoted family man, Patterson had previously boarded with Inspector Fox when posted to Maldara. He has an identical twin brother (played by Yemm's real-life twin Gordon) who inadvertently causes havoc in the squad in a case of mistaken identity in episode 249, "The Superintendant". The episode (an out-and-out comedy) includes a legendary dream sequence in which three of the detectives are racing down an alleyway, guns blazing - but trouserless. Quits the force after becoming too emotionally involved in a case in which he nearly kills the murderer of a small boy in episode 333, "Grains of Sand".

• Sen. Det. / Det. Sgt. Bob Delaney (Mike Preston) - 1972-1973

A Londoner who had been a constable in the British police force before coming to Australia, Delaney is a 'snappy' modern dresser who pushes his clothes and hair length to the regulation limit. Replacing Patterson, Delaney is killed by a letter-bomb in episode 375, "We'll Both Remember Angie".

• Sen. Det. Phil Redford (Gary Day) - 1972-1977

A Vietnam veteran who has strong ideas about violence, Redford is also studying law part-time at university. Delaney's replacement, he remains to the end of the series.

• Insp. Reg Lawson (Charles Tingwell) - 1973-1977

Recalled to Melbourne from Scotland Yard (after serving with the United Nations peace-keeping forces in Cyprus) to take over the squad after the murder of Inspector Fox. Remains to the end of the series.

• Sen. Det. Pat Kelly (John Stanton) - 1972-1974

A tough, no-nonsense detective brought in after Barnes is promoted to Sergeant. Crippled in a car crash when pursing a criminal in episode 432, "The Fellers Send Their Regards".

• Det. Sgt. Harry White (Don Barker) - 1973-1977

A family man, good-natured joker and incessant talker, but with a tough edge that increasingly comes to the fore. He replaces Barnes after his breakdown, and remains to the end of the series.

• Sen. Det. Mike Deegan (Dennis Grosvenor) - 1974-1977

A motorcycle-riding, martial-arts expert transferred to the Homicide squad from Ballarat, where he had worked under Inspector Mackay, as Kelly's replacement. Remains to the end of the series.