Willing and Abel is an Australian television comedy series which was made in 1987, about two handymen.

Willing and Abel
Created byLynn Bayonas
Ted Roberts
StarringGrant Dodwell
Shane Withington
Martin Vaughan
Rebecca Rigg
Lucius Borich
Simon Chilvers
Tina Bursill
Country of originAustralia
No. of episodes26
Production
Running time50 minutes
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release1987 (1987)

The main cast were Grant Dodwell as "Charles Willing", Shane Withington as "Abel Moore", and Rebecca Rigg as "Angela Reddy". Their names ("Reddy", "Willing" and "Abel") were a pun on the saying, “ready, willing and able".

It had problems in attaining an audience.[citation needed] The show was produced as a "comedy drama" however some at the Nine Network wanted to steer it to be a heavier drama.[citation needed] There was much discussion between production executives and the Network and not much agreement.[citation needed] One episode scripted by Ted Roberts dealt with a hostage situation at a bank, the pathos being reinforced by series characters caught up in the action.[citation needed]

The series dealt with contemporary issues in a subtle way, sometimes making observations through humour.[citation needed]

Cast edit

Broadcast edit

The series first aired in Australia on the Nine Network and years later went onto air in a number of other countries such as South Africa and Indonesia.

References edit

  • "The Australian Film and Television Companion" — compiled by Tony Harrison — Simon & Schuster Australia, 1994

External links edit