Review of First Episode of Wild Boys on Channel Seven, Starring Daniel MacPherson and Zoe Ventoura

by POPSUGAR Celebrity AU 0

Channel Seven’s latest offering, Wild Boys, first caught our attention because it was the project Zoe Ventoura had decided to work on after leaving her popular role on Packed to the Rafters. She joins new boyfriend Daniel MacPherson in taking us back to the time of Aussie bushrangers in the adventure series.

What it’s about: It’s the 1860s. Hopetoun, NSW is filled with law-breaking bushrangers such as Jack Keenan (MacPherson) and Dan Sinclair (Michael Dorman), who just want enough gold to move to the west. Standing in their way with the intention of keeping the town’s peace — but actually creating a lot more drama — is superintendent Francis Fuller (Jeremy Sims), who has his own agenda for keeping the bushrangers behind bars.

Where it works: We haven’t seen bushrangers explored on TV in a dramatic way like this for a while, and in a fun twist it’s the “bad guys” who are actually good, and the law-keeping troopers who are the villains. MacPherson and Dorman have great chemistry as the leading troublemakers, and to break the show up from being too much of a boys’ club, love interests such as publican Mary (Ventoura) and mayor’s daughter Emilia (Anna Hutchinson) add some balance. The 7:30 p.m. timeslot means it’s also family-friendly viewing.

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Where it doesn’t: The dialogue can get a little clichéd at times. From the pilot episode I’m also questioning how the premise can hold up for more than a whole series.

You might like this show if: You like a bit of history mixed with your entertainment. There were times where I was also reminded of the Pirates of the Caribbean films — fun characters, good amount of action, bad guys with hearts of gold etc.

When it’s on: Sunday nights, 7:30 p.m. on Channel Seven.