Draft:Terry Stapleton

Terrence Anthony Stapleton (1933-1991) was an Australian writer and actor, best known for writing television drama series for Crawford Productions.

Notable works include Homicide and The Last of the Australians.

Acting and emergence as a writer
Prior to his work in television, Stapleton worked in a weapons research factory, before completing theatre work in a semi-professional capacity. Following this, in 1960, Stapleton entered acting professionally, appearing in Alan Seymour's play The One Day of the Year, which he would later adapt into the television sitcom The Last of the Australians.

Stapleton originally auditioned to be an actor on the Crawford Productions television drama series Homicide in 1965. Dorothy Crawford, sister of Hector, knew that Stapleton's slim stature would make him ineligible to meet the height and weight requirements to become a police officer, so she suggested that Stapleton apply for a writing position on the series instead. Stapleton sent in a sample of his work and was hired as a fulltime writer on the series.

Police dramas
In 1967, Stapleton created and served as showrunner of the espionage television series Hunter. Though originally unsuccessful owing to the outlandish "James Bond-type" concept, Stapleton reworked the series to incorporate the private life and relationships of the titular character, allowing the series to begin rating well.

In 1971, Stapleton and Ian Jones created the television drama series Matlock Police. This was followed by Ryan in 1973, created with American screenwriter Morton Fine.

Situation comedies
In 1975, after obtaining permission from friend Alan Seymour to adapt his play The One Day of the Year for television, Stapleton pitched the concept for a situation comedy to Hector Crawford. Crawford liked the idea and funded Stapleton's trip to the United States and England to observe television comedy, particularly that performed in front of live audiences, in those countries. Titled The Last of the Australians, Stapleton decided to explore the "generation gap" between a father and son, rather than their differing views on ANZAC Day as depicted in Seymour's play. Stapleton was sole writer of the series, owing to a shortage of experienced writers at Crawford Productions. The series was renewed for a third series, however, Crawford decided to end the series, owing to the strain on Stapleton to produce an episode each week.

Following the end of that series, Stapleton attempted to write two further sitcoms. A ninety-minute pilot titled Me & Mr Thorne was broadcast in 1977, but was ultimately not picked up by Australian networks. Stapleton believed this was because the networks considered it "too experimental". Stapleton then went on to write Bobby Dazzler, which ran for one series from 1977 to 1978.

Return to dramas
Stapleton returned to drama in 1977 with the television series Cop Shop. Owing to its success, Stapleton and Jock Blair created the soap opera Skyways, which ran from 1979 to 1981. Stapleton and Vince Moran created Carson's Law in 1983. At the time, it was speculated by the media that Stapleton, who had recently been promoted as a director of Crawford Productions, had based some characters in the series on the Crawford family. The rumours enabled the series to bolster large audience interest and the series ran until 1984. Following this, Stapleton and Moran created The Flying Doctors in 1986.

Personal life
Stapleton married actress Anne Morgan in 1966.