Offspring (season 5)

Offspring series 5
Season 5 DVD
Country of origin	Australia
No. of episodes	13
Release
Original network	Network Ten
Original release	14 May – 6 August 2014
Season chronology

The fifth season of Offspring, an Australian drama television series, premiered on Network TEN on 14 May 2014 and concluded on 6 August 2014.

Production

Offspring was commissioned for a 13-episode fifth series on 12 July 2012 as part of a two-season renewal.^[1]

Filming for series five began on 21 October 2013 and concluded on 19 February 2014.^[2][3]

Series five of Offspring picks up six months after Patrick's death and revolves around the journey of Nina Proudman as she navigates through single parenthood with the help of sister Billie, the bringing up of her daughter Zoe and her determination to jump back into work.^[4]

Cast

Main Asher Keddie as Nina Proudman Kat Stewart as Billie Proudman Matthew Le Nevez as Patrick Reid[note 1] Richard Davies as Jimmy Proudman Jane Harber as Zara Perkich-Proudman[note 2] Patrick Brammall as Leo Taylor[note 3] Ido Drent as Lawrence Pethbridge Linda Cropper as Geraldine Proudman Deborah Mailman as Cherie Butterfield Ben Barrington as Thomas Buchdahl[note 4] Eddie Perfect as Mick Holland Lachy Hulme as Martin Clegg

Recurring Alicia Gardiner as Kim Akerholt Lawrence Leung as Elvis Kwan Celia Pacquola as Ange Navarro

Guest Mia & Willow Sindle, Isabella Monaghan and Zara Mclellan as Zoe Proudman-Reid Ben & Sam Hunter, Teah Whalan and Cleo Mete as Alfie Proudman Jude Mace and Indianna Lee as Paddy Proudman Cate Wolfe as Jess Maude Davey as Dr Nadine Samir David Roberts as Phil D'Arabont Kate Jenkinson as Kate Reid Special guest Garry McDonald as Phillip Noonan John Waters as Darcy Proudman Clare Bowditch as Rosanna Harding

Notes

1. Although Matthew Le Nevez's character had died, he was still listed in the opening title sequence
2. Jane Harber had been listed as recurring in episodes 1 through 5 before being introduced into the opening title sequence
3. Patrick Brammall had been listed as a guest before being introduced into the opening title sequence
4. Ben Barrington had been listed as recurring in episodes 3 through 5 before being introduced into the opening title sequence

Casting

Kate Jenkinson, who recurred as Kate Reid, had to be written out of the season due to her ABC series Super Fun Night being picked up the states.^[5] It was announced Matthew Le Nevez will star in series five, despite his character, Patrick dying in the penultimate episode of series four. Le Nevez is still credited as main cast.^[4]

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Australian viewers (millions)
53	1	"Back in the Game"	Emma Freeman	Debra Oswald	14 May 2014[6]	0.931[7]
Six months after Patrick’s death, Nina and Billie are caring for baby Zoe together. While Billie waits anxiously for Mick to return, Nina is determined to go back to work.
54	2	"When Sparks Fly"	Emma Freeman	Michael Lucas	21 May 2014	0.817[8]
Nina experiences a blast from the past when she runs into a former flame at the hospital. Sparks begin to fly when Billie meets with Lawrence to discuss his feelings.
55	3	"Moving On"	Emma Freeman	Leon Ford	28 May 2014	0.766[9]
Billie prepares restlessly for Mick's imminent return. Nina has to figure out what to do when she finds herself stuck at an airport with a handsome stranger.
56	4	"Winners and Losers"	Kate Dennis	Li-Kim Chuah	4 June 2014	0.828[10]
Nina and Billie face their dreaded high school reunion. While Nina tries to convince everyone shes happy to go, Billie has her own reasons not to attend.
57	5	"The Story of My Life"	Kate Dennis	Jonathan Gavin	11 June 2014	0.804[11]
Nina is shocked by the arrival of a new male midwife. Billie is under pressure as Lawrence's apartment goes to auction and Zara surprises Jimmy with an announcement.
58	6	"Emergencies"	Wayne Blair	Michael Lucas	18 June 2014	0.823[12]
Is Nina and Leo's secret airport tryst about to be exposed? Billie puts her broken heart aside to get to know Lawrence before a medical emergency shakes the Proudman family.
59	7	"I'm Always Here"	Wayne Blair	Debra Oswald	25 June 2014	0.865[13]
A Proudman life hangs in the balance. Nina faces a huge dilemma. Billie's life takes an unexpected turn.
60	8	"Expect the Unexpected"	Daina Reid	Jonathan Gavin	2 July 2014	0.746[14]
Its finally date night for Nina and Thomas, but the night takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Billie presents Jimmy with an interesting business opportunity.
61	9	"Return, Romance, Repeat"	Daina Reid	Christine Bartlett	9 July 2014	0.738[15]
Billie finds herself drawn into Nina and Thomas' romantic dinner plans. Jimmy worries about Zara's new obsession. Can Clegg handle Cherie's return?
62	10	"Introduction"	Peter Salmon	Leon Ford	16 July 2014	0.981[16]
Billie is calm in the face of Mick's return to Melbourne. Then Nina learns why he's really in town. Can she break the news to Billie? Meanwhile, Thomas gets an unusual introduction to the Proudman family.
63	11	"Love, Pain and the Whole Damn Thing"	Peter Salmon	Michael Lucas	23 July 2014	0.905[17]
Billie struggles with the knowledge that Mick is single. Nina deals with the fallout from Thomas meeting the Proudmans. Kim has a shock proposal for Clegg.
64	12	"Life Changing Decisions"	Emma Freeman	Jonathan Gavin	30 July 2014	0.847[18]
Nina and Leo are floored by an unexpected patient at St Francis. Mick asks Billie to come to London with him. Cherie must choose between Kim and Clegg's needs.
65	13	"When Life Gives You Lemons..."	Emma Freeman	Debra Oswald	6 August 2014	0.992[19]
As Billie prepares for a new life overseas, Nina faces Zoe's first birthday and the anniversary of Patrick's death. But first the St Francis staff must face an emergency of epic proportions.

Ratings

Episode	Title	Original airdate	Overnight Viewers	Consolidated Viewers	Nightly Rank	Adjusted Rank
1	"Back in the Game"	14 May 2014	0.931[7]	1.082[20]	8[7]	6[20]
2	"When Sparks Fly"	21 May 2014	0.817[8]	1.020[21]	9[8]	7[21]
2	"Moving On"	28 May 2014	0.766[9]	0.904[22]	12[9]	10[22]
3	"Winners and Losers"	4 June 2014	0.828[10]	1.026[23]	10[10]	6[23]
5	"The Story of My Life"	11 June 2014	0.804[11]	0.999[24]	9[11]	7[24]
6	"Emergencies"	18 June 2014	0.823[12]	0.965[12]	12[12]	9[12]
7	"I'm Always Here"	25 June 2014	0.865[13]	1.064[13]	9[13]	7[13]
8	"Expect the Unexpected"	2 July 2014	0.746[14]	0.923[14]	12[14]	10[14]
9	"Return, Romance, Repeat"	9 July 2014	0.738[15]	0.913[25]	12[14]	9[25]
10	"Introduction"	16 July 2014	0.981[16]	1.140[26]	6[16]	3[26]
11	"Love, Pain and the Whole Damn Thing"	23 July 2014	0.905[17]	1.083[27]	8[17]	6[27]
12	"Life Changing Decisions"	30 July 2014	0.847[18]	1.090[18]	8[18]	3[18]
13	"When Life Gives You Lemons..."	6 August 2014	0.992[19]	1.150[19]	6[19]	3[19]

Figures are OzTAM Data for the 5 City Metro areas. Overnight - Live broadcast and recordings viewed the same night. Consolidated - Live broadcast and recordings viewed within the following seven days.

References

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2. "Last day of pre-production. Offspring starts shooting on Monday! #offspring #iwanttoshootnow". Emma Freeman (emmafreemanmakesfilms) on Instagram. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
3. "Last day of shooting Offspring Series 5. And I got a cat sticker on my callsheet. I'm sad it's over. #offspring". Emma Freeman (emmafreemanmakesfilms) on Instagram. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
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