SEASON ONE

If you didn’t catch season one – here’s a quick catch up…

After a spectacular fall from grace, high-flying heart surgeon Dr Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser) receives a life-changing punishment from the Medical Tribunal – he is forced to work for a year as a country GP in his former home town of Whyhope. Follow Hugh’s attempt to rebuild his world in the town he has spent his whole life running away from.

Doctor Doctor, part filmed in the Mudgee region, was a massive hit according to Channel Nine:

The nation has fallen in love with Doctor Doctor, with an average of more than 1.8 million Aussies tuning in each week. This new smash-hit drama series with heart is just what the doctor ordered.

Nine's Heads of Drama, Jo Rooney and Andy Ryan, said: "We are delighted with how Australian audiences have fallen in love with Doctor Doctor, an incredible cast and a story full of heart. We are looking forward to working with Essential Media & Entertainment on series two."

It clearly wasn’t a hard choice for the network to continue the show, with the announcement at the end of 2016 that the cheeky doctor and co would return:

All your favourite cast members Rodger Corser (Hugh), Nicole da Silva (Charlie), Steve Bisley (Jim), Ryan Johnson (Matt), Tina Bursill (Meryl), Hayley McElhinney (Penny), Matt Castley (Ajax), Chloe Bayliss (Hayley), Charles Wu (Ken) and Belinda Bromilow (Betty) will all be back for series two in 2017.

FILMING IN THE REGION

Mudgee was selected by TV scouts to be transformed into the fictional town of ‘Whyhope’.

The cast and crew arrived in town to start filming season one in May 2016 – with producer Claudia Karvan revealing to the Mudgee Guardian, she had a soft spot for the town. 

“I spent a lot of time in Mudgee about 20 years ago, have lots of fond memories but it’s certainly changed a lot,” Karvan said ahead of filming. 

FILMING SEASON TWO

It was revealed on Friday, filming for Doctor Doctor season two will start next week.

The crew will film from Monday, June 5 through to Wednesday, June 7 in the Mudgee region.

Mid-Western Regional Council confirmed there will be no road closures, but there will be some traffic control on Mudgee streets at times. 

Council expects minimal impact on traffic, pedestrians and parking.

It’s unclear that this stage which buildings and streets will be used in season two – but it would be safe to say the main spots from last year will be chosen again.

In season one – Mudgee Newsagency became Whyhope Pharmacy and the Mudgee Guardian was renamed the Whyhope Gazette.

The Mudgee Library became the Whyhope District Council and Dear, Loneragan and Hogan Solicitors next door doubled as the police station. 

Even the posters outside the Town Hall Theatre were changed to promote ‘Whyhope’ events. 

EXTRAS

Casting agent Jane Dawkins put the call out on Facebook for extras in season two.

The decision was made this year – compared to last year – to have a low key audition, to avoid disappointment.

The 2016 auditions or ‘go see’ as they are called in TV land, created a major buzz in the region, with queues of locals lining up.

Producers were looking for a very specific ‘country style’ this year, describing the costume brief as ‘every day ordinary country clothing’.

They were also looking for golfers and jockeys for scenes at the Mudgee Golf Club and racecourse – but found a limited number of guys that fit the ‘jockey’ brief (under 165cm tall), so they put the call out on the Doctor Doctor Mudgee Extras Facebook page.

All spots have now been filled, with Mrs Dawkins thanking everyone that applied.

“To all the wonderful folk who came to the go-see’s and those who have emailed – we have you all on file.”

If you did apply – the hot tip is to keep your phone nearby.

“We generally book people a week of so in advance. So… you may get a call anytime between now and the end of August,” Mrs Dawkins said.

“Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in working with us and we hope to be able to work with you soon.”

DOCTOR DOCTOR ON TV

Doctor Doctor season two is expected on our TV screens by August. 

Producers have told the Mudgee Guardian “the show will start on the TV, while we continue filming”.

This means, viewers can in theory shape the show.

If viewers react poorly to a character and story line, it can be changed (not in the next episode, but at least a few later).

So make sure to get involved, and let the network know what you’re loving or hating.

We’re sure Rodger Corser will again be on the love list.