Darby and Joan: episode guide


Episode 1

Monday, August 08, 2022
Written by Keith Thompson and Paul Bennett
Directed by David Caesar

After a vehicular collision with the enigmatic Jack, Joan's first stop in her (covert and novice) investigation into her husband's betrayal brings them to a waterside paradise where a group of old friends have gathered. Then a tragic death puts a stop to the party. Was it an accidental drowning, or is this idyllic land so intensely beautiful, it's worth killing for?

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, Kerry Armstrong as Summer, John Waters as Ian Kirkhope, Anna McGahan as Rebecca Kirkhope, Peter O'Brien as Chris, Robert Coleby as Ascher, Kaarin Fairfax as Heidi, Ling Cooper Tang as Cinta, Sophie Cox as Laurel, Casey Donovan as Sat Nav, Rachel Ward as English Sat Nav, Fikrte Bushell as Detective Sergeant Jeffries, Dane Brady as Young Ian, Claire Kavanagh as Young Summer, Thomas McClusky as Young Ascher, Kye Marrable as Young Chris, Emma Langfield as Young Heidi, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 2

Monday, August 08, 2022
Written by Andrew Anastasios
Directed by David Caesar

Jack takes a detour to a banana plantation to help his longtime friend and former brother-in-law, Declan, recover a cache of stolen guns. It soon becomes clear that there is more to the gun theft than first appeared, and unraveling the mystery leads to some surprising emotional truths. As Joan begins to get the hang of investigating, she turns her newfound talent to learning more about Jack.

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, Steve Bisley as Declan Kemp, Angie Milliken as Felicity Kemp, John Waters as Ian Kirkhope, Parker Little as Tanner Kemp, Philippa Coulthard as Chantelle, Thomas Larkin as Sam Horrigan, Ron Kelly as Cal Horrigan, Burgess Abernethy as Frogger, Colin Smith as Simon, Chris Baz as Farmer Polson, Ben Anthony as Ollie Kemp, Casey Donovan as Sat Nav, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 3

Monday, August 15, 2022
Written by Giula Sandler
Directed by Ben C Lucas

At a remote, mountaintop campground, and after a devastating revelation about Ian's past, Jack and Joan take a moment to unwind with a friendly bunch of fellow tourists. When a high-end caravan is stolen, everyone becomes a suspect and, it turns out, everyone has something to hide. Joan's frustration with Jack puts her life in danger after the thieves return to steal her motorhome.

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, John Waters as Ian Kirkhope, Anna McGahan as Rebecca Kirkhope, Caroline O'Connor as Sue, Andrea Moor as Gina, Monette Lee as Ellie, Adrienne Pickering as Lucy Kirkhope, Sophia Emberson-Bain as Frida, Todd MacDonald as Nick, Shanyn Asmar as Kate, Brett Molloy as Trent, Agnés Mohan as Tayla, David E Woodley as Cameron, Dave Eastgate as Mullet, Daniel Weaver as Rooster, Julie Cotterall as Policewoman Casey Donovan as Sat Nav, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 4

Monday, August 15, 2022
Written by David Hannam
Directed by Ben C Lucas

As Jack and Joan prepare for her first southern hemisphere Christmas by the beach, a reef dive goes catastrophically wrong, and Joan does all she can to save an injured diver. With a young woman's life in the balance, Joan and Jack discover the accident is really a case of sabotage. The mystery hits home for Jack, who secretly seeks out a woman from his past to make amends for his mistakes.

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, John Waters as Ian Kirkhope, Heather Mitchell as Rosemary, Anna McGahan as Rebecca Kirkhope, Jolene Anderson as Liz Darby, Lincoln Lewis as Brad, Elizabeth Cullen as Cassidy, Emily Havea as Nicola, Corben Kemp as Pete, Sophie Emerson-Bain as Frida, Luke Mullins as Matt, Laura Keneally as Anthea, Andrew Allen as Danny, Lola Burke as Charlee, Bowie Tekaha Walton as Toby, Kyle Clark as Deck Hand, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 5

Monday, August 22, 2022
Written by Paul Bennett
Directed by Mairi Cameron

In a small outback town on New Year's Eve, Joan's search for answers about Ian is waylaid when the motorhome runs out of fuel. Taking jobs as waiters to secure the only room available at the local pub, Jack and Joan are drawn into the illegal tobacco trade. Sparks fly on the dance floor before a real fire breaks out, and Joan is convinced the police have arrested the wrong suspect for the arson.

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, Jolene Anderson as Liz Darby, Darren Gilshenan as Roger, Damien Garvey as Tom, Kimberley Joseph as Ruth, Charlie Clausen as Dan, Alixandra Calabrese as Maddie, Francis McMahon as Fitzy, Dane Brady as Young Ian, Jane Larkin as Young Protestor, Isabella Procida as Constable Polly, Casey Donovan as Sat Nav, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 6

Monday, August 22, 2022
Written by Adam Zwar
Directed by Mairi Cameron

At a small coastal community, Jack reconnects with Elyse the daughter of Rosemary, the bride Jack left at the altar. A surf lifesaving champion, Elyse believes someone tampered with a drug test, causing her to be banned from her sport just before the national championships. While Jack attempts to clear Elyse's name, Joan is shaken when she discovers the truth about Jack and Rosemary's past.

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, Heather Mitchell as Rosemary, Jolene Anderson as Liz Darby, Anna McGahan as Rebecca Kirkhope, Todd Lasance as Riley Harrington, Emm Wiseman as Elyse Harrington, George Pullar as Carl, Bodie Larden as Stefan, Arnijka Larcombe-Weate as Meg Harrington, Molly Wright as Bella, Joel Greasley as Jabba, Adam Zwar as Race Commentator, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 7

Monday, August 29, 2022
Written by Beck Cole
Directed by Jovita O'Shaughnessy

Rebecca's sudden arrival throws Joan into turmoil as she struggles with how to tell her daughter about the murder charges against Ian. Tracing Ian's last movements is put on hold when a neurodivergent Indigenous boy goes missing and the search becomes a potential abduction investigation. Rebecca is determined to bring her mother back to London and begins to question Joan's well-being.

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, Rarriwuy Hick as Tegan, Anna McGahan as Rebecca Kirkhope, Caroline Gillmer as Denise, Paula Nazarski as Pam, David Cook as Beau, Patrick Jhanur as Jamie Matthews, Yalyal Hick as Clay, Sophia Emberson-Bain as Frida, Christopher James Baker as Curtis, Lola Burke as Charlee, Bowie Tekaha Walton as Toby, Charlotte Gray as Audrey, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel

Episode 8

Monday, August 29, 2022
Written by Ainslie Clouston
Directed by Jovita O'Shaughnessy

When Jack is struck by a hit-and-run driver, it sparks some unexpected truths and the return of a threat from Jack's past. As Jack recovers, he and Joan track down Ian's long-lost son, who holds the keys to the mystery. But is she ready to put the past to rest? And will the new threat facing Jack see the end of this journey together?

Cast: Bryan Brown as Jack Darby, Greta Scacchi as Joan Kirkhope, Kerry Armstrong as Summer, John Waters as Ian Kirkhope, John Jarratt as Bill Carlton, Jolene Anderson as Liz Darby, Anna McGahan as Rebecca Kirkhope, Caroline Gillmer as Denise, Christopher James Baker as Curtis, Annabelle Stephenson as Dayle, Dane Brady as Young Ian, Jane Larkin as Young Denise, Claire Kavanagh as Young Summer, Isabella Procida as Constable Polly, Immanuel De La Haye as Eddie, Brodie Christopher Johnstone as Buddy, Casey Donovan as Sat Nav, Nudge & Kobe as Diesel