Ballarat in 1959 isn't exactly the postcard of sleepy post-war stability you'd expect. Honestly, if you’re diving into the Dr Blake mysteries season 2, you’re walking into a world where the shadows are longer, the secrets are filthier, and the local police surgeon is basically hanging on by a thread.
Lucien Blake is back. He’s been in China, chasing ghosts and trying to find a daughter he hasn't seen in decades. When he rolls back into town in the season premiere, "The Heart of the Matter," he doesn't even get a chance to unpack his bags before the newly elected mayor is found dead at the bottom of the Town Hall steps. Talk about a warm welcome.
Why Season 2 Hits Differently
The first season was about re-establishing roots. This second outing? It's about those roots rotting. You've got 10 episodes that feel much more claustrophobic than the first ten.
One thing people often miss is how the show uses the actual geography of Ballarat to tell the story. Producer George Adams basically treated the city as a character. When you see the Old Colonists' Club or the Mining Exchange on screen, they aren't just pretty backdrops. They represent the "old guard"—men like Patrick Tyneman who want to keep the status quo exactly where it is.
Blake is the wrench in that machinery. He’s messy. He drinks too much. He’s haunted by Singapore and the fall of the British Empire. In season 2, that trauma starts to leak out. You see it in his interactions with Jean Beazley, played with incredible restraint by Nadine Garner. Their "will-they-won't-they" isn't some cheap sitcom trope; it's a slow burn fueled by 1950s social repression and mutual grief.
The Cast Shake-ups and New Blood
If you’re a fan of the show, you probably noticed the shift in the police station. Danny Parks (Rick Donald) is gone, moved on to Melbourne. In his place, we get Senior Constable Charlie Davis, played by Charlie Cousins.
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Charlie is... well, he’s different. He’s more "by the book" initially, which creates a fantastic friction with Lucien’s intuitive, often reckless, forensic methods.
And then there’s the powerhouse performance of Joel Tobeck as Chief Superintendent Matthew Lawson. Tobeck brings this weary authority to the role. In season 2, his history with Blake—they went to school together, after all—gets more screen time. They’re two sides of the same coin, both trying to manage a town that is rapidly changing.
Breaking Down the Biggest Episodes
You can't talk about this season without mentioning "The Food of Love." It’s the second episode and it tackles the rock 'n' roll explosion. It’s 1959. The kids are going wild, and the adults are terrified. When a rising star is found stabbed in an alley, it’s not just a murder; it’s a cultural flashpoint.
Then you have "Mortal Coil." This one is classic gothic mystery. Two bodies in one coffin. It’s grisly, sure, but it also forces Lucien to look at his own mortality. He starts acting out, and Jean’s worry for him reaches a breaking point.
What Actually Happened in "The Silence"?
This is often cited as the best episode of the season. A primary school principal is found dead. It sounds simple, but the investigation leads back to the very school Lawson and Blake attended.
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- The Victim: Joseph Lennox, a man with a lot of secrets.
- The Weapon: A school trophy and a very high dose of warfarin (rat poison).
- The Twist: It wasn’t a jilted lover. It was a student, Paul Wooton, trying to protect his sister from the principal's abuse.
It’s a heavy episode. It deals with systemic failure and the lengths kids go to when the adults in the room aren't looking.
The Production Reality
Let’s be real about the "E-E-A-T" of it all—the Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. The show was a massive hit for ABC Australia, pulling in nearly a million viewers per episode during this run. "Smoke and Mirrors" actually hit a peak of 975,000 viewers, which is huge for a Friday night slot.
Filming took place on location in Ballarat, but the "virtual city" the show creates is a mix. They used Lydiard Street for the heritage feel but often had to hide modern street signs or buildings that didn't fit the 1959 aesthetic. The cinematography by Craig Barden uses a lot of low-light, moody blues and greys. It’s a sharp contrast to the bright, sunny Australia we usually see in shows like Home and Away.
The Controversial Legacy of the Series
You can't look back at the Dr Blake mysteries season 2 without acknowledging the elephant in the room. Years after these episodes aired, the production was halted due to sexual assault allegations against lead actor Craig McLachlan.
While he was eventually acquitted of all charges in a Melbourne court in 2020, the damage to the brand was done. The show tried to pivot with The Blake Mysteries: A New Beginning starring Nadine Garner, but it didn't have the same legs.
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When you watch season 2 now, it carries a strange weight. You’re seeing a show at the height of its creative powers, unaware of the behind-the-scenes turmoil that would eventually bring it down. It’s a time capsule of Australian television history.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Rewatch
If you’re planning to binge the season, keep an eye on the background details. The props department was meticulous. From the brandless tobacco pouch in episode 4 to the specific type of kiwi fruit (called a "Chinese gooseberry" back then) in episode 9, the historical accuracy is top-tier.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Streaming Status: In the US, the entire series is currently available on BritBox and Amazon Prime Video.
- Look for the "Deleted" Context: If you can find the DVD extras, there are some great behind-the-scenes looks at how they handled the forensic makeup for the more "inventive" deaths.
- Visit the Locations: If you’re ever in Victoria, there is an actual "Doctor Blake Walking Tour" in Ballarat. You can see the Town Hall steps from the season 2 premiere for yourself.
The Dr Blake mysteries season 2 isn't just a crime show. It's a study of a man trying to fix a broken world while his own life is in pieces. It's messy, it's dark, and it’s honestly some of the best television Australia has ever produced.
The next step is to head over to your preferred streaming platform and watch "The Heart of the Matter." Pay close attention to the way Lucien interacts with the new mayor's widow—it sets the tone for everything that follows.