australian television information archive

Battleground

Episode 1
USA: July 12, 2006
Teleplay by Richard Christian Matheson
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Brian Henson

Jason Renshaw, a professional hit man, successfully murders the CEO of a prestigious toy company only to face the biggest fight of his life when a package from the toy company is delivered to his house with surprising, deadly contents.

Starring: William Hurt as Jason Renshaw

With: Bruce Spence as Hans Morris, Mia Sara as Beautiful Passenger, Krista Vendy as Front Desk Clerk, Lynda Kinkade as CNN Anchor, Enrico Mammarella as Guard #1, Brad McMurray as Guard #2, Jackie Kelleher as Hans Morris' Mother

Note: this episode won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Special Visual Effects For a Miniseries, Movie or a Special" and was also nominated in the category "Outstanding Music Composition For a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score)"

Crouch End

Episode 2
USA: July 12, 2006
Teleplay by Kim LeMasters
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Mark Haber

A newly wed American couple honeymooning in London goes to Crouch End to have dinner with a friend. They soon learn the town is not what it appears to be, and the more they get lost, the more they become trapped in another dimension.

Starring: Claire Forlani as Doris Frehman, Eion Bailey as Lonnie Frehman

With: Linal Haft as Archibald, Eva Lazzaro as The Girl, Ryan Sheldrake as The Boy, Kenneth Ransom as Cabby, Luke Walker as PC Farnham, Jennifer Congram as Concierge, Monica Maughan as Woman in Street, John Flaus as Man in Street, Ron Haddrick as Man in Lift, Marijke Mann as Woman in Lift, Jean-Marc Russ as Rat Man #1, Josh Futcher as Rat Man #2, Martin Broome as Rat Man #3

Umney's Last Case

Episode 3
USA: July 19, 2006
Teleplay by April Smith
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Rob Bowman

After the death of his son, writer Sam Landry is so desperate to lead another life, he writes himself into his own book, forcing his long-time character to change places with him and live in the modern day. But things get deadly when Landry realizes he is trapped and cannot write himself out of his new reality.

Starring: William H. Macy as Clyde Umney /Sam Landry/George Demmick, Jacqueline McKenzie as Linda Landry/Gloria Demmick

With: Victoria Mussett as Arlene 'Candy' Cain/Pool Girl, Harold Hopkins as Vernon Klein, Melinda Butel as Ardis McGill, Julian O'Donnell as Peoria Smith, Don Halbert as Dunninger, Peter Curtin as Mr. Woolrich, Louis Corbett as Danny Landry, Mark Mitchell as Blondie, John Orcsik as Stan the Cop, Sigrid Thornton as Mrs. Anges Sternwood, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Brandon

Note: for his work in this episode, William H. Macy was nominated for a 2007 Emmy Award in the category "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie"

The End of the Whole Mess

Episode 4
USA: July 19, 2006
Teleplay by Lawrence D. Cohen
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Mikael Salomon

The world had changed. Violence, war and hatred have been eliminated and replaced with kindness, peace and love. But at what price? Renowned filmmaker Howie Fornoy, with just one hour to live, recounts the details of his brother's worldwide experiment gone terribly wrong.

Starring: Ron Livingston as Howard Fornoy, Henry Thomas as Robert Fornoy

With: Andy Anderson as Duke Rogers, Nicholas Bell as World Health Official, Tyler Coppin as Richard Fornoy, Rebecca Gibney as India Fornoy, Bo Jerkic as Howie Fornoy (5-7 years old), Kirsty Lee as Moderator, Matthew Lombardo as Bobby Fornoy (11 months old), Nick Mulkearns as Bobby Fornoy, Rarmian Newton as Bobby Fornoy (7-10 years old), Justina Noble as CNN Street Reporter, Jye O'Toole as Howie Fornoy (12 years old), Greg Saunders as Dr. Banyard, Jake Stone as Bobby Fornoy (2-3 years old)

Note: this episode received an Emmy Award nomination in the category "Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special"

The Road Virus Heads North

Episode 5
USA: July 26, 2006
Teleplay by Peter Filardi
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan

Richard Kinnell is a famous writer who, at a doctor's visit, learns he may soon have to deal with his own mortality. On the drive back to his home, he buys a mysterious painting. Each time he looks at it, it changes to become more menacing and sinister. He pieces together that the painting is trying to kill him... but not if he can destroy it first.

Starring: Tom Berenger as Richard Kinnell, Marsha Mason as Aunt Trudy, Susie Porter as Sally Blair Kinnell, Marg Downey as Judy Diment

With: Nate Butler as Valet, Amelia Christon as Betsy, Virginia Gay as Fan #1, Kim Gyngell as Will Tabor, Chris Haywood as Dr. Bogner, Jim Hill as Tattoed Fan, Robyn Jane Lacey as Pretty Girl, Hamish Michael as Road Virus, Gorgi Quill as TV Reporter, Anita Torrance as Pretty Wiccan, Josh Wakely as Fan #2, Sara Zwangobani as News Anchor

The Fifth Quarter

Episode 6
USA: July 26, 2006
Teleplay by Alan Sharp
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Rob Bowman

Willie, a just-released convict, learns from his dying friend of a map in four parts that reveals the location of $3.5 million from a robbery. Seeking revenge for the death of his friend, as well as the money, Willie hunts down the others who hold the remaining three parts to the map, risking his family and his freedom.

Starring: Jeremy Sisto as Willie Evans, Samantha Mathis as Karen Evans

With: Christopher Morris as Barney, Chris Kirby as Sarge, Robert Mammone as Jagger, Peter O'Brien as Keenan, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Jackson Evans, Christine Moffat as Mrs. Claussen, Sara Gleeson as Thelma, Antony Neate as Prison Guard #1, Dino Marnika as Detective #1

Autopsy Room Four

Episode 7
USA: August 02, 2006
Teleplay by April Smith
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Mikael Salomon

Businessman Howard Cottrell is on vacation playing one of his many games of golf. Chasing the ball into the undergrowth, he is bitten by a snake and completely paralyzed, showing no signs of life. At the hospital, unable to communicate, he is the key witness to his own autopsy.

Starring: Richard Thomas as Howard Cottrell, Greta Scacchi as Dr. Katie Arlen, Robert Mammone as Dr. Peter Jennings

With: Robyn Arthur as Nurse, Jude Beaumont as Angela, Paul Gleeson as Ed Brooks, Linc Hasler as Rusty, Josh Lawson as ER Doctor, Brian Lipson as Mike the Orderly, Steve Mouzakis as Driver, Martin Vaughan as Dr. Kazalian

You Know They Got a Hell of a Band

Episode 8
USA: August 02, 2006
Teleplay by Mike Robe
Story by Stephen King
Directed by Mike Robe

A wrong turn on a lonely road turns frightening for Clark and Mary Willingham as they stumble upon a town not on any map — Rock and Roll Heaven, Oregon.

Starring: Steven Weber as Clark Rivingham, Kim Delaney as Mary Rivingham, William McNamara as Ricky Nelson, Erin Wright as Janis Joplin, Joe Sagal as Elvis Presley, Jacinta Stapleton as Sissy

With: Kristian Schmid as Buddy Holly, Tony Rickards as Roy Orbison, Bert Labonte as Otis Redding, André de Vanny as Skater Boy, Mitchell Butel as Emcee, Fletcher Humphrys as Duane Allman, Damien Richardson as Ronnie Van Zant, Che Timmins as Jimi Hendrix, Portia Bradley as Daughter, Richard Cawthorne as Hot Rod Driver, Michelle Celebicanin as Mother, Andrew Gilmore as Elderly Clark, Glen Hancox as Grease Monkey, Alethea McGrath as Elderly Mary, Andy McPhee as Pot Bellied Man, Stan Roach as Druggist