The 10 part series, starring Rodger Corser as heart surgeon Hugh Knight, continues to follow his adventures in small town, ‘Whyhope’.

Filming kicked off on Monday at Mudgee Public School, with principal Allan Kerr describing the morning as “the highlight of the kids’ year”.

“We have some very excited kids at school today. It’s just a great opportunity for them to be able to get out there and be actors, just for the day,” he said.

Principal Kerr, who supervised the shoot, explained the selection process “We did auditions at the school, got the number down, and drew names out of a hat – so it was a pretty fair system,” he said.

Actor Nicole da Silva, who plays Charlie, was on set on Monday, but the main star of the show, Rodger Corser, was not spotted at the school.

Filming will continue in the region until Wednesday. 

Mid-Western Regional Council alerted residents to the return of the cast and crew by stating “there would be no road closures, but some traffic control on Mudgee streets at times”. 

“We expect minimal impact on traffic, pedestrians and parking. We’re sure that the economic and other benefits being brought to town, far outweigh any inconveniences.”

Location manager Gabrielle Sinclair said the cast and crew were “delighted to be back in the region” and thanked residents for being ‘so welcoming’.