Lisa McCune looks back on her hit shows…

Senior Constable Maggie Doyle, Blue Heelers (1994-2000)

“When I was filming the first episode, I remember feeling really excited and somewhat overwhelmed. I was blown away by people like John Wood, Julie Nihill and William McInnes. I felt I’d landed in the best place in the world as a young actor. John was like a dad to me. I saw him at his 70th birthday [in 2016]. He’s actually on tour with a play with Julie later in the year. I miss them – they were such a formative part of my life.”

Senior Constable Maggie Doyle, Blue Heelers (1994-2000)

“I don’t know why people loved the relationship between Maggie and PJ [Martin Sacks] so much. I don’t think it was intended to go that way. At the start, Maggie was like the jilted girl who Grant Bowler’s character, Wayne, had passed over. Marty and I were such great mates – we laughed all day. I think the chemistry that was off-screen worked on-screen. He lives in a different state now, but I know he’s one person who would always have my back, even now.”

Lieutenant Kate McGregor, Sea Patrol (2007-2011)

“Wearing the same uniform every day was really easy. But I did love it when we went from the all-in-one overall set to the two-piece, because when you’re out at sea, there’s not always a toilet to go to! So it was easy to nick into a cabin and use a bucket and then get rid of it overboard. Working alongside the Australian Navy was incredible. So many fine young men and women worked with us.”

Ros Marshall, Marshall Law (2002)

“I think that had Marshall Law not aired at 9.30pm and if it had been given another season, it might have kicked on a bit. Alison Whyte is one of the best talents in this country – I’m a huge fan. We had a great time on that show. Because we’d just had our first babies, we were both nicking off to go and feed. We were in a really similar place.”

Dr Sam Stewart, Reef Doctors (2013)

“I do believe that was one of the best ensemble casts, with some of the finest talent. Andy Ryan and Chloe Bayliss and Rohan Nichol and Matt Day… God, it was a fine cast. We just got off to a bumpy start and it was shafted in the first week. But people who saw a bit of it liked it. It wasn’t really an adults’ or a kids’ show, but it could have kicked on.”

Laura, Little Fish (2005)

“I had such a small role in the film. Cate Blanchett was flying all over the place. I remember one day, we were filming at Cabramatta. She flew in from LA in the morning and went on [set]. She just knows her stuff. It’s in her blood. She seems so well-prepared and very creative. She’s just a creative beast. I don’t know her very well, but she’s just lovely.”