Australian actor John Wood meets Adelaide QC Grant Algie, the man he played in 2007 Peter Falconio TV mini-series

Chance encounters don’t come much better than this.Veteran Australian actor John Wood has come face-to-face with the man behind one of his favourite TV roles at a popular Adelaide restaurant.

Chance encounters don’t come much better than this.

Beloved Australian actor John Wood was visiting friends in South Australia recently when he came face-to-face with prominent Adelaide QC Grant Algie - the man he portrayed in 2007 TV mini-series Joanne Lees: Murder in the Outback.

Mr Algie, of course, famously defended one of Australia’s most notorious killers, Bradley John Murdoch, who in 2005 was convicted of the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio.

The random meeting came as Blue Heelers star Wood was dining at King William St institution La Trattoria.

Chatting to venue manager Billy Duff, Wood was describing how much he enjoyed playing the role of Adelaide lawyer Mr Algie in the mini-series, which also starred Bryan Brown and Joanne Froggatt.

Just minutes later and much to everyone’s surprise, Mr Algie walked into the restaurant, which is a popular destination for Adelaide’s top lawyers.

Mr Duff introduced the pair and they posed for a photo together.

Adelaide QC Grant Algie with actor John Wood, the man who played him in the 2007 TV mini-series Murder in the Outback. Picture: Supplied.

“They’d actually never met before. Grant was asking John how he knew to wave his hands about like he does,” Mr Duff tells The Advertiser.

Not only is La Trattoria a top Adelaide spot for quality Italian fare, it’s also a popular venue for celebrity spotting with big names such as Cliff Richard, Mick Jagger, Bon Jovi and Tom Jones dining at restaurant over the past forty years.