Selected quotes from the premiere for television comedy series Rosehaven. The event, at which the first two episodes of the 8-part series were shown, was held at the new UTAS Studio Theatre for invited guests.
The fifth and final series will screen on ABC broadcast television and iView from Wednesday 4 August.
Celia Pacquola – Actor
Every time every time we get sad about it being the last one, we really do remember that this is – probably every time we think about it – the best case scenario of the way this whole thing played out, which is it’s more seasons than we ever could have dreamed. And we get to finish it in a way that we’re proud of, and leave on a high. We leave when people still, you know, are into it. So as much as it’s sad, we’re really so grateful that it’s like 40 episodes and that is all of you.
Yeah, we really love that it’s been such a team effort like we couldn’t have done it without it. We’d love that every time we’ve come back, the team has gotten tighter and more close and it feels more like a family. And that’s what’s been fun doing the press for this season. It was like what’s different this season and – it sounds arrogant to say a lap of honour – but it’s kind of going back around to the characters and people we already have and really leaning in and giving everyone a sort of a hero moment entering the world.
I just wanted to show you guys for the last time what we’ve loved about you know what we’re really proud of which is what we started with which is this show is not called Daniel and Emma Being Friends the show is called Rosehaven, the show is the town and you are the town.
I really think that the episode of the season I’m the most proud of is the final episode ,I think that the best one was made out of 40. But I really yeah, I really think this season is something I hope that you will all be able to watch and feel like you are part of it because you absolutely love it. And it’s just it’s incredible. I’m going to cry when it comes.
Kevin Whyte – Executive Producer
Kevin Whyte.
Rosehaven really resonated more and more than ever in the last two years. For those of us locked down in Melbourne in 2020, being able to go into the fantasy world of Rosehaven, where the universe was not an actual bin fire, was wonderful, and was a real salve. And sadly, still in 2021, for our friends in Sydney, and you know, it’s whack a mole, just anyone anyone could be next.
It still remains a beautiful fantasy land. And they’ve created a really special show that comes out of both their natural skill as writers but also to have a genuine friendship and respect for each other and an enthusiasm for working with great teams and turning upwith amazing scripts. This season is somehow even better than season four, which managed to be better than season three, and so on and so forth. They’re extraordinary. This has been the most joyous TV project of my working life. And that starts very much with Luke and Celia but extends to the relationships and friendships that we’ve built down here over the last five years. S
Brett Sleigh – Executive Producer
What a journey Rosehaven has been for the ABC. I’ll take you back to May in 2016. And this is the first lot of rushes that we saw of this magnificent show. On the very first day of the shoot and the very first scene, in fact, that was shot with Daniel and Emma, and they’re outside a rental property. Now Daniel’s got some reservations because he really doesn’t want to go inside the rental. However, Emma spurs him on and she says that “she’s in Rosehaven to watch her best friend kick ass at real estate.”
Well, I reckon it’s mission accomplished. So I’m going to pick apart that line and just explain just how much that line actually grabs Rosehaven. So kick ass at real estate. So we’re five years on with five series, and a little show about regional Tasmanian real estate has gone on to be one of the ABCs longest running and most enduring and most successful titles. It won its time slot when it launched, and since it’s launched every single season of Rosehaven that’s screened has enjoyed a complete audience of over 1 million. The number one scripted comedy for the ABC across the whole year. It’s also been the number one title – non Bluey – on iView. This is fabulous stuff. And the iView plays to date on all four series across are over 5 million plays.
Back to the first part of that line that I spoke about. And that is to watch my best friend. And as we can see. So from the opening moment of episode one to the final frames of Episode 40, Luke and Celia have created an unforgettable world with indelible characters that are not only funny first, but it’s always offered our audience so much more and that’s why it’s lasted as long as it has. Because it’s not only funny, it’s got two very important things sitting behind it. This is a show about community. And this is a show about the enduring power of friendship. It’s really hard to think of a time when those two things aren’t more important to our lives.
Luke McGregor and Celia Pacquola.
