Photographs And Information about Bed Of Roses – ABC TV – Series 1, 2 and 3

The filming of this popular and delightful ABC mini-series began in late 2007 and took place in parts of South Gippsland, as Meeniyan turned into the predominant town featured in the show and was called ‘Rainbows End’. Series 2 was filmed in 2009 and the third and final seasons was completed in 2010.  The Series 2 of the ABC hit television series ‘Bed Of Roses‘ was filmed primarily in Meeniyan with filming also done close-by in Foster township. Indoor scenes are shot in the ABC studios in Melbourne (Ripponlea) and Louisa Atherton’s (played by Kerry Armstrong) cottage is apparently located in Bangholme near Frankston.

Pictures of Bed Of Roses – cast, crew and extras

We’ve chosen a lovely selection of photos and placed them on the page below. As Series 2 and 3 Bed Of Roses was filmed again in the local area, it gave us further opportunity to gather a gallery of pictures of the cast, crew and extras, which can now be seen along with a list of actors, their roles, details about the locations used for filming the series and even some funny anecdotes.

Bed Of Roses Actors

Also starring in the series along side our popular Australian actress Kerry Armstrong, is Julia Blake who plays Louisa’s mother Minna Franklin and Jay Lagaaia (well know for his time in McLeod’s Daughters, Playschool, All Saints and Star Wars) as Nick Pickering – Louisa’s childhood friend. Holly (played by Hanna Mangan-Lawrence) and Shannon Atherton (played by Dave Thornton) are Louisas’ two children. We also have photographs of Louisa’s friends Marg Braithwaite (played by Caroline Gilmer), Deb Mathieson (played by Kaarin Fairfax) and Gemma O’Reilly (played by Dina Panozzo). Haiha Le (who plays Rita Lim), Richard Davies (who plays the handsome Rooster McIver), Tim Phillipps (who plays Hollys’ special friend Sean Smithwick), Frank Magree (who plays Marty Mason the builder), Kallista Kaval (who plays the newspaper editor Wendy Watt) and Andrew S. Gilbert (who plays Gavin Braithwaite).

Filming In Meeniyan

Most local Meeniyan residents were certainly aware that something was going on when the town transformed overnight from quaint little Meeniyan to bustling ‘Rainbows End’. The Post Office, pub, community house, supermarket, newsagent, service station and pizza shop all had name and identity changes. The supermarket, town hall, Mitre 10 Hardware and a disused shop that turned into Pat & Gemma’s Gymnasium (see left), have been featured heavily. The Meeniyan Pizza Restaurant also turned into a Chinese Takeaway for several weeks and some of the locals actually thought it had changed ownership. The small supermarket in Meeniyan was used for several scenes but has since burned to the ground. Accommodation venues in the area were booked solid, with around 90 cast and crew needing to be housed. The boost to South Gippsland’s local businesses was very welcome, and no doubt, Bed Of Roses will have finally made Meeniyan more of a destination instead of a town to drive through on your way to Wilsons Promontory.

More Unfolding Drama in Meeniyan

I did hear that a local councillor was concerned when driving home one day, that she wasn’t invited to the Grand Opening of ‘The Big Nugget’ – a giant monument that arrived on the back of a semi-trailer and was set up at the entrance of the town of Meeniyan (specially for the filming). I really can’t tell too much more or I might spoil the story line, but needless to say, much confusion and drama unfolded as a result.

Filming In Foster

In Foster, the local Main Street traders were appalled that, “yet another real estate agent was opening in town” but laughed when they realized it was just a shop front created for the ‘Bed Of Roses’ drama. The bridge over Stockyard Creek at Pearl Park in Foster, was the site used for filming of the Buddhist funeral and many locals excitedly became extras in the crowd, though the Chinese contingency were bussed over from Melbourne for the day. Although I’m not entirely certain, I suspect that the football scenes were filmed at Foster Football Ground.

Filming In Leongatha

Several scenes in the last episode were filmed at Leongatha Hospital and the staff there were wonderful. There were quite a few rainy days during the filming of this six part series, which put the schedule back significantly, but fortunately many of the scenes were able to be shot in the studio and Melbourne City. The schedule was very tight and it was quite a feat to get this series shot as quickly as it was in the 8 week timeframe. I heard after only several weeks into the production that plans were in the pipeline for another series to be started very soon as it already looked really good on screen. The actors and extras were very well looked after during the entire time with a chef to cater for all meals including sumptuous breakfasts. The food was always freshly cooked and delicious … and the espresso machine got plenty of use.

How To Get To Leongatha, Meeniyan and Foster

When travelling from Melbourne, find your way to the South Gippsland Highway. You’ll first drive through Korumburra, Leongatha and Koonwarra before you get to Meeniyan. If you see the Stony Creek Racecourse, you’ve gone too far. To get to Foster, continue along the South Gippsland Highway another 15 minutes or so past Meeniyan, and if you follow the clearly signed road to your right just past The Comfort Inn, it will take you through to the main township.

Great Aussie Entertainment

Bed Of Roses began in May 2008 on the ABC and it’s instant popularity will make it worth watching over and over again. Series 2 came to our screens in 2009 and the final episodes were shown in March 2011. It is with great appreciation that the ABC kindly allowed us to download each episode of the mini-series from their website.

A List Of The Actors In The Bed Of Roses TV Series

Thanks to Philip Quast for providing other information on Bed Of Roses Series 2.

Louisa Atherton	Kerry ARMSTRONG
Minna Franklin, her mother	Julia BLAKE
Holly Atherton, her 16yo daughter	Hanna MANGAN-LAWRENCE
Shannon Atherton, her 24yo son	Dave THORNTON
Nick Pickering, a childhood friend	Jay LAGA’AIA
Tim Price, manager at the local paper	Philip QUAST
Marg Braithwaite, a friend	Caroline GILLMER
Deb Mathieson, a friend	Kaarin FAIRFAX
Gemma O’Reilly, a friend	Dina PANOZZO
Rita Lim	Haiha LE
Sandy Wilsoncroft	Bud TINGWELL (1923-2009)
Rooster McIver	Richard DAVIES
Sean Smithwick, Holly’s friend	Tim PHILLIPPS
Marty Mason, the local builder	Frank MAGREE
Wendy Watt, newspaper editor	Kallista KAVAL
Gavin Braithwaite	Andrew S. GILBERT
Vivien	Susie DEE

 

---

 

Photos of The Cast and Crew Filming Bed-Of-Roses TV Series for the ABC 2008 – 2010

 

---

 

Camera and Editing Crew Filming Bed-Of-Roses TV Series for the ABC 2008 – 2010 in Meeniyan