To preview Episode 2 click here
Historian Michael Cathcart tells the epic story of how the colourful characters of early colonial Australia transformed a penal settlement into a land with rights and opportunity in a mere 40 years.
This sweeping two-part dramatised documentary covers formative events in Australia’s history, including the Rum Rebellion and early court cases, which established independence and civil rights for all settlers.
Rogue Nation explores how a fledgling colony on the wrong side of the globe was rapidly transformed from a place of punishment to a place of opportunity; a confident and prosperous community.
It examines the fight for power and control between two powerful interest groups—the wealthy and entrepreneurial landowners and the offspring of convict settlers who took on the governors appointed by the Colonial Office in London. Rogue Nation introduces well known figures including pastoralist John Macarthur, barrister and newspaper proprietor William Wentworth, and Governors William Bligh, Lachlan Macquarie and Ralph Darling.
And it shows how a handful of driven, anti-authoritarian and fiercely independent men saw off several British governors, encouraged upheaval and learnt the art of politics; discovering that debates, pressure groups and propaganda could change governments and shape policy.
In doing so, they helped to lay the foundations of the prosperous liberal democracy of Australia.
A Screen Australia Making History production in association with Essential Media & Entertainment. Produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Episode 1 Honour Among Thieves, Sunday 15 March, 7:30pm on ABC1
Historian Michael Cathcart introduces John Macarthur and the powerful faction of landowners, entrepreneurs and local military who take on Governor William Bligh and trigger Australia's only military coup, the Rum Rebellion of 1808.
Episode 2 Rights of Passage, Sunday 22 March, 7:30pm on ABC1
Historian Michael Cathcart introduces William Wentworth and the "Emancipists", a loose-knit group of former convicts and their children who take on British Governor Ralph Darling in the 1820s in a struggle for independence and civil rights in colonial Australia.
Click to see production stills
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Rogue Nation Launch
Museum of Sydney on the site of First Government House
Wednesday 4th March, 2009
Click to see launch stills
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More about Rogue Nation
See our other showcases
Directors
Peter Andrikidis (Episode 1),
Lisa Matthews (Episode 2)
Writer
Katherine Thomson (Episode 2)
Producer
Ian Collie
Executive Producers
Mark Hamlyn, Alex West
Duration
2 x 55 minutes
Year
2008
For Teachers
Curriculum links include English, Media Studies, SOSE/HSIE, History and Politics.
Press Kit
Rogue Nation Press Kit 
All star cast includes
John Wood as Governor William Bligh
John Brumpton as William Charles (WC) Wentworth
Leeanna Walsman as Mary Putland
Tony Llewellyn-Jones as Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Patrick Dickson as Governor Ralph Darling
Peter O'Brien as John Stephen Jnr
Geoff Morrell as John Macarthur
Heather Mitchell as Elizabeth Macarthur
Sophie Cleary as Jane New
John Gregg as Sir Joseph Banks
Nicholas Hope as Judge Advocate Richard Adkins
Les Hill as Sergeant Sutherland
Related Links
Essential Media and Entertainment website
Critics Comments
"...despite a lack of explicit sex and violence, Rogue Nation could teach Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities a thing or two about excellence in historical storytelling." 4 our of 5 stars.
Deborah Grunfeld, Who Weekly
"In terms of audience size, this will be the most popular treatment of its subject in many years, and will presumably become and important educational resource on DVD."
"Rogue Nation is well worth a look."
Michael Duffy, Sydney Morning Herald
"This is great television, both educational and entertaining."
Greg Hassall, Sydney Morning Herald
"...the one real criticism of Rogue Nation: it leaves us wanting more." 3 out of 4 stars.
Melinda Houston, Sunday Age
"(John) Wood plays the pompous and autocratic Governor William Bligh to perfection, while (Geoff) Morrell as the greedy, entrepreneurial pastoralist John Macarthur is superb."
Sunday Telegraph, PICK OF THE WEEK
"There's a tendency to see Australian history as a little dull when compared with the grand sweep of European or US history but this series reveals our early days to be full of intrigue and drama."
Sydney Morning Herald, SHOW OF THE WEEK
"With re-enactments featuring some of the country's best actors, Rogue Nation explores a rich colonial history filled with duels, treachery and power plays.
A gripping and original look at early Australia's story."
Daily Telegraph