Rake is an Australian TV show that aired on our national broadcaster, the ABC. Starring Richard Roxburgh as Cleaver Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister, the show follows the misadventures of Cleaver as he stumbles through life, lurching from one disaster to another. Loosely based upon real-life barrister Charles Waterstreet and the cases he tried, the show takes really, really unusual cases and depicts them with a decidedly blackish shade of humour. Add in the ongoing political sagas and Cleaver’s attempts to destroy himself and every relationship he has and you have yourself one humdinger of a show!

Roxburgh is truly outstanding as Cleaver, and I spent many a show in awe of his talents. Ably supported by an outstanding cast, as well as the creme of Australian acting talent as guest stars, this show is a delight to watch actors doing what they do best.

This coming US TV season will see an American version hit the screens. I’m really curious to see how the tale has been adapted – the whole barrister/solicitor dynamic is so integral to how Cleaver and
Barney interact I’ll be interested to see how this is changed for the American market. Not to mention the intrinsic Sydney-ness of it all. Seriously, if the show was set in any other state in Australia, it would be completely different. NSW is believed to be a bit of a ‘police corruption’ state, so the deviousness and depravity of Rake is tied to its setting. How will it go transplanted to America, I’ve no clue…Let’s check it out and see, shall we? 🙂

As you can probably tell, I ADORE this show. I’ve also JUST discovered there will be a third series and I’m ecstatic! Can’t wait to see the shenanigans Cleaver and company get up to.

 
 
Trailer for original Rake

 
Trailer for US Rake