Heartbreak High
Heartbreak High is an Australian television program that ran for six years, through seven seasons from 1994 to 1999 on both Network Ten and ABC. The programme dealt with the students of the fictional Hartley High, a tough high school in a multiracial area of Sydney, and proved to be a more gritty and fast-paced show than many of its contemporaries. It was a spin-off of the 1993 Australian feature film The Heartbreak Kid which had featured Alex Dimitriades and Claudia Karvan. However, in later series the show shifted emphasis away from the school setting and the Poulos family to the students' homes and hangout, the "Shark Pool".
Transmission
The program was transmitted by Network Ten between 1994 and 1996, and by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation between 1997 and 1999. It was also successful in sales internationally and was broadcast in over twenty-five countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America. After the sixth series the ABC axed the show as selling another series to foreign TV stations proved increasingly difficult. The BBC had no interest in buying an additional series; due to scheduling delays a backlog of episodes had built up, and the program was forced to wrap up production.Cast
Series 1 (1994, episodes 1-38)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Alex Dimitriades | Nick Poulos | Student, influential to others, Con's cousin, dies in episode 38, romantically involved with Jodie and Daniele |
| Sarah Lambert | Christina Milano | English/History teacher, leaves to work overseas in episode 26 |
| Katherine Halliday | Rossette "Rose" Malouf | student, romantically involved with Jack |
| Salvatore Coco | Costa "Con" Bordino | student, Nick's cousin |
| Emma Roche | Danielle Miller | student, Romantically involved with Steve and Nick |
| Corey Page | Steve Wiley | student, romantically involved with Danielle and Lucy |
| Doris Younane | Yola Fatoush | school psychologist |
| Scott Major | Peter Rivers | student, romantically involved with Chaka, Katerina and Sam |
| Abi Tucker | Jodie Cooper | student |
| Isabella Gutierrez | Chaka Cardenes | student, moves to Darwin with her family in episode 14, romantically involved with Rivers |
| Tai Nguyen | Jack Tran | student, moves to a selective school in episode 22, romantically involved with Rose |
| Tony Martin | Bill Southgate | science teacher/supervisor |
| Hugh Baldwin | Graham Brown | maths/music teacher, gay, leaves in episode 26 |
| Stephen O'Rourke | Jim Deloraine | headmaster |
| Jan Adele | Ruby St John | local pub owner, is not seen after episode 26 |
| Elly Varrenti | Irini Poulos | Nick's mother, dies from car accident-related injuries in episode 8 |
| Nico Lathouris | George Poulos | Nick's father, moves back to Greece in episode 30 |
| Despina Caldis | Effie Poulos | Nick's sister |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Peta Toppano | Stella Ioannou | Katerina's mother, appears from episode 9, moves to Greece in episode 28 |
| Ada Nicodemou | Katerina Ioannou | student, appears from episode 16, moves to Greece in episode 28 |
| Ivar Kants | Roberto Bordino | Con's father, makes a short appearance in the episode 9 and appears regularly from episode 29 |
| Barbara Gouskos | Helen Bordino | Con's mother, makes a short appearance in the episode 9 and appears regularly from episode 29 |
| Kym Wilson | Samantha "Sam" Robinson | English teacher, appears from episode 29, is fired from the school in episode 36 |
| Alexandra Brunning | Lucy Weston | student, appears from episode 30 |
Series 2 (1995, episodes 39-52)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Katherine Halliday | Rossette "Rose" Malouf | student, leaves to get married in episode 49 |
| Salvatore Coco | Costa "Con" Bordino | student, Nick's cousin |
| Emma Roche | Danielle Miller | student |
| Corey Page | Steve Wiley | student |
| Doris Younane | Yola Fatoush | school psychologist, leaves for a rural school in episode 52 |
| Scott Major | Peter Rivers | student |
| Abi Tucker | Jodie Cooper | student |
| Tony Martin | Bill Southgate | science teacher/supervisor, leaves for a rural school in episode 52 |
| Stephen O'Rourke | Jim Deloraine | headmaster |
| Despina Caldis | Effie Poulos | Nick's sister |
| Ivar Kants | Roberto Bordino | Con's father |
| Barbara Gouskos | Helen Bordino | Con's mother |
| Alexandra Brunning | Lucy Weston | student, leaves for six month exchange program in Japan in episode 51 |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Vince Poletto | Matt Logan | student, appears from episode 39 |
Series 3 (1995, episodes 53-65)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Salvatore Coco | Costa "Con" Bordino | student |
| Emma Roche | Danielle Miller | student |
| Corey Page | Steve Wiley | student, last seen alive in episode 65, found dead from an accident in episode 66 |
| Scott Major | Peter Rivers | student, runs away with Sam in episode 65 |
| Abi Tucker | Jodie Cooper | student, leaves to pursue her musical career in episode 65 |
| Stephen O'Rourke | Jim Deloraine | headmaster |
| Despina Caldis | Effie Poulos | Nick's sister, not seen after episode 65 |
| Ivar Kants | Roberto Bordino | Con's father |
| Barbara Gouskos | Helen Bordino | Con's mother |
| Vince Poletto | Matt Logan | student |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Kym Wilson | Samantha "Sam" Robinson | English teacher, returns from episode 53, runs away with Rivers in episode 65 |
| Ada Nicodemou | Katerina Ioannou | student, returns from episode 54 |
| Inge Hornstra | Allie Matts | student, appears from episode 55 |
| Ian Bliss | Andrew Bell | science teacher, appears from episode 56 |
Series 4 (1996, episodes 66-91)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Salvatore Coco | Costa "Con" Bordino | student, leaves for a student exchange program in the United States in episode 71 |
| Emma Roche | Danielle Miller | student, leaves to become a TV reporter in Wollongong in episode 91 |
| Stephen O'Rourke | Jim Deloraine | headmaster, has a heart attack and retires in episode 69 |
| Ivar Kants | Roberto Bordino | Con's father |
| Barbara Gouskos | Helen Bordino | Con's mother |
| Vince Poletto | Matt Logan | student |
| Ada Nicodemou | Katerina Ioannou | student |
| Inge Hornstra | Allie Matts | student, leaves for London for a literary fellowship in episode 87 |
| Ian Bliss | Andrew Bell | science teacher, leaves to join a research team in Antarctica in episode 78 |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Jon Pollard | Alan Bolton | student, appeared from episode 1, made series regular in episode 66 |
| Deni Gordon | Rhonda Brooks | teacher, appears from episode 67 |
| Diane Craig | June Dyson | headmistress, appears from episode 69 |
| Rupert Reid | Declan Costello | student, appears from episode 72 |
| Tara Jakszewicz | Anatasia "Stassy" Sumich | student, appears from episode 73 |
| Simon Baker | Tom Summers | teacher, appears from episode 80, fired in episode 87 |
| Sebastian Goldspink | Charles "Charlie" Byrd | student, appears from episode 81 |
Series 5 (1997, episodes 92-130)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Ivar Kants | Roberto Bordino | Con's father, leaves for a European vacation in episode 96 |
| Barbara Gouskos | Helen Bordino | Con's mother, leaves for a European vacation in episode 96 |
| Vince Poletto | Matt Logan | student, leaves to explore Australia with Stassy in episode 97 |
| Ada Nicodemou | Katerina Ioannou | student, leaves with Charlie in episode 130 |
| Jon Pollard | Alan Bolton | student, leaves for Canberra to become an event organizer in episode 95 |
| Deni Gordon | Rhonda Brooks | teacher, leaves at the closure of Hartley High in episode 130 |
| Diane Craig | June Dyson | headmistress, leaves for Queensland with her son in episode 92 |
| Rupert Reid | Declan Costello | student, leaves for a nursing program in episode 104 |
| Tara Jakszewic | Anatasia "Stassy" Sumich | student, leaves to explore Australia with Matt in episode 97 |
| Sebastian Goldspink | Charles "Charlie" Byrd | student, leaves with Katerina in episode 130 |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Rebecca Smart | Melanie Black | student, appears from episode 95, she leaves in episode 117 to Paris, and return from episode 122. |
| Lara Cox | Anita Scheppers | student, appears from episode 98 |
| Rel Hunt | Ryan Scheppers | student, appears from episode 98 |
| Tina Bursill | Hilary Scheppers | Ryan and Anita's mother, appears from episode 98 |
| Callan Mulvey | Bogdan Drazic | student, appears from episode 99 |
| Peter Sumner | Les Bailey | headmaster, appears from episode 99 |
| Nina Liu | Stephanie "Mai Hem" Tan | student, appears from episode 104 |
Series 6 (1998, episodes 131-170)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Rebecca Smart | Melanie Black | student, leaves for Tasmania with her boyfriend in episode 136 |
| Lara Cox | Anita Scheppers | student |
| Rel Hunt | Ryan Scheppers | student |
| Tina Bursill | Hilary Scheppers | Ryan and Anita's mother, moves to Melbourne to pursue a job offer in episode 133 |
| Callan Mulvey | Bogdan Drazic | student |
| Peter Sumner | Les Bailey | science/maths teacher, quits after a sexual harassment complaint in episode 134 |
| Nina Liu | Stephanie "Mai Hem" Tan | student, leaves to pursue a music video directing career in episode 152 |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Fleur Beaupert | Nikki Ruark | student, appears from episode 131, leaves to recover from a nervous breakdown in episode 169 |
| Jeremy Lindsay Taylor | Kurt Peterson | student, appears from episode 131 |
| Andrea Moor | Di Barnett | headmistress, appears from episode 131 |
| Frederick Miragliotta | Gerrard Albers | teacher, appears from episode 133, leaves to become an artistic director of a regional theatre company in episode 152 |
| Elaine Hudson | Kath Livingston | Sarah's mother, appears from episode 139, leaves for the country in episode 150 |
| Nathalie Roy | Sarah Livingston | student, appears from episode 139, leaves for the Country with Kath in episode 150, and return from episode 154. |
| Mario Gamma | Peter D'Esposito | student, appears from episode 137, made series regular in episode 151 |
| Marcel Bracks | Lee Delaine | student, appears from episode 153 |
| John Walton | Nat Delaine | Lee's father, appears from episode 153 |
| Morna Seres | Jill Delaine | Lee's mother, appears from episode 153 |
| Putu Winchester | Dennis Klinsmann | student, appears from episode 131, made series regular in episode 170 |
Series 7 (1999, episodes 171-210)
Regular Cast| Actor | Character | Role |
| Lara Cox | Anita Scheppers | student, leaves in episode 192, and return from episode 203 |
| Rel Hunt | Ryan Scheppers | student, graduates high school in episode 186 |
| Callan Mulvey | Bogdan Drazic | student |
| Jeremy Lindsay Taylor | Kurt Peterson | student, graduates high school in episode 186 |
| Andrea Moor | Di Barnett | headmistress, leaves for a bigger school in episode 186 |
| Nathalie Roy | Sarah Livingston | student, graduates high school in episode 186 |
| Mario Gamma | Peter D'Esposito | owner of the Shark Pool |
| John Walton | Nat Delaine | Lee's father, leaves in episode 185 |
| Morna Seres | Jill Delaine | Lee's mother, leaves with Lee in episode 200 |
| Marcel Bracks | Lee Delaine | student, leaves for another school in episode 200 |
| Putu Winchester | Dennis Klinsmann | student |
Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
| Tasneem Roc | Thania Saya | student, appears from episode 175 |
| Bianca Nacson | Gemma Whitley | student, appears from episode 186 and expelled in episode 209 |
| Luke Jacobz | Zac Croft | student, appears from episode 187 |
| John Gregg | Alan Carson | headmaster, appears from episode 187 |
| Elena Carapetis | Jackie Kassis | teacher, appears from episode 187 |
| Danny Raco | Marco Vialli | student, appears from episode 191 |
| Katherine Hicks | Tess Mason | student, appears from episode 201 |
| Mark Owen-Taylor | Tim Mason | Tess's father, appears from episode 201 |
DVD Release
Series 1 was released in Australia as a DVD Box Set by Umbrella Entertainment on 5 October 2011. This DVD set is region free and will play globally featuring original 4:3 Full Frame and 2.0 English Dolby Digital Sound. The series 2 DVD Box Set was released by Umbrella Entertainment on 7 March 2012. The series 3 DVD Box Set was released by Umbrella Entertainment on 6 June 2012 and is currently available to order. Series 1 of the show has also been released on two DVD sets in Germany in the dubbed German version with no English audio track. This DVD is the official release for Germany.Umbrella have no current plans to release the rest of the series, as quoted on their Facebook page, due to 'music licensing issues'.
International
Heartbreak High was broadcast in the following countries:- In Argentina on :es:Canal 9 |Canal 9 as "Aprendiendo a vivir".
- In Australia on Network Ten, ABC TV and ABC3.
- In Belgium on Flemish public television VRT and on French speaking side, Plug RTL as Hartley, cœurs à vif.
- In Canada on Showcase.
- In Chile on Chilevision as "Aprendiendo a vivir".
- In the Czech Republic on SuperMax and later on TV Nova as Škola zlomených srdcí.
- In Estonia on Kanal 2 as Koolide kool
- In France on France 2 as Hartley, cœurs à vif
- In Germany on ZDF and Sat.1
- In Greece on Skai and New channel in 1997.
- In Hungary on MTV1, and is currently aired on m2 as Szívtipró gimi.
- In Iceland on RÚV as Fjör á Fjölbraut.
- In India on Zee Café.
- In Indonesia on Indosiar
- In Ireland on Network 2
- In Israel on Channel 1 as Tichon Ha'Levavot Ha'Shvurim.
- In Kosovo on RTV21 as Vitet e arta
- In Lithuania on LRT as Neramioji Gimnazija.
- In Mexico on Azteca 13 as "Aprendiendo a vivir".
- In the Netherlands on Nederland 3 on VARA.
- In North Macedonia on A1 as Uchilishte skrsheni srca.
- In Norway on TV2.
- In Peru on TNP as "Aprendiendo a vivir".
- In Poland on TVP 1 as Szkoła złamanych serc, re-runs were broadcast by TVN, and again in 2007 on TVP1.
- In Portugal on RTP1 as "Amores e Rebeldia"
- In Russia as Школа разбитых сердец was first broadcast on TV-6 in 1996.
- In Serbia on 3K RTS as Nestašne godine and again on TV Stankom, Art TV and various regional TV stations.
- In Spain on TVE1 and TVE2 as Los Rompecorazones.
- In the United Arab Emirates on City7tv.
- In the United Kingdom on BBC 2, Trouble and TCC.
- In the United States on Encore WAM.