audiences, and in particular they had greater appeal to children from middle-class backgrounds. As it did not have the open ended narrative of a traditional soap opera, it was technically a "series". Nevertheless, many storylines were developed as sub-plots for several episodes before becoming the focus of a particular week's narrative block. Overall, the program "so emphasized the ongoing storylines of its major characters as to make the distinction between series and serial more or less meaningless". Cancellation and continuation After the end of its run on the Seven Network, it was announced that the serial would be picked up by Network Ten with a mainly new cast and a few key cast members continuing from the Seven series. Unlike the Seven series which was produced in Sydney, the Network Ten series was produced in Melbourne with location shooting in Emerald, Victoria. The new series debuted in April 1994, but was not as successful and was abruptly cancelled in November. The series featured actors including Paul Gleason, Jane Hall, Vince Colosimo, Claudia Black and Laura Armstrong. Cast Main cast (Seven Network series) 1981-1993 NOTE: Actors highlighted in pink were original cast members. Note: Actors highlighted in yellow were retained in the series when switching from Seven Network to Network Ten. Network Ten (primary and recurring cast) (1994) Only four of the original cast members from the Network Seven series were retained in the Network Ten re-launch: Joan Sydney, Joyce Jacobs, and Andrew Blackman, and Michelle Pettigrove (1 episode) Celebrity guest stars A Country Practice became renowned for its long list of guest cameos, totalling over 1000 stars, with well known mainly Australian actors who appeared in each week's two part episode arc. At the program's height, Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke appeared in episodes as a guest as himself. Some actors became more prominent during the series run, and were classified as semi-regulars, appearing as the storyline permitted, Famous stars included: Episodes Setting and stories The series followed the workings of a small hospital in the fictional New South Wales rural country town of Wandin Valley, as well as its connected medical clinic, the town's veterinary surgery, RSL club/pub and local police station. The show's storylines focused on the staff and regular patients of the hospital and general practice, their families, and other residents of the town. Through its weekly guest actors, it explored various social and medical problems.