Tina Bursill shows off maternal instincts in Doctor, Doctor

NINE’S hilarious new dramedy, Doctor Doctor, might centre around Rodger Corser’s misbehaving medic, Hugh Knight, but Tina Bursill as his mum Meryl is the heart and soul of the series.

Tina Bursill plays Meryl Knight in Nine's new drama series, Doctor, Doctor. Picture: Supplied/Nine

NINE’S hilarious new dramedy, Doctor Doctor, might centre around Rodger Corser’s misbehaving medic, Hugh Knight, but TV Insider found the turn of Tina Bursill as his lovingly manipulative mother Meryl the heart and soul of the series (premiering 8.40pm, September 14).

Bursill, familiar for her maternal roles in The Moodys, The Time Of Our Lives and Neighbours, is in her prime as Meryl, described in the production notes as the “matriarch of the family and a motivated member of the local council ... hardworking, supportive and honest ... at least according to her.”

She reminded me of John Howard’sBob Jelly from SeaChange, while others have told Bursill she has captured some of Richard Roxburgh’s naughtiness in Rake.

Whether manipulating council politics to suit her needs, or offering less than helpful commentary on her other son (Ryan Johnson’s) girlfriend (Nicole da Silva), the chance to play someone with “no filter” was a joy, Bursill said. “There was a fabulous line in the first couple of episodes that I recall saying over and over, ‘look at her bum, Jim (Steve Bisley), look at her bum’. I kept thinking, ‘here’s a woman that tells it like it is’ and of course, that’s very refreshing to play because don’t we all think it!”

Her on-screen relationship with Bisley (who plays her brooding farmer husband) is the first time the TV veterans have worked together.

“We’re both as old as God, he may not like that ... but that beard (grown for the role)! When he arrived I thought, ‘George Bernard Shaw, what’s going on?’ I loved working with him. The thing we found together, which was there in the writing, and I have huge admiration for the writer, Tony McNamaraand his team, is Steve and I found this love, an unspoken love that is just constantly the cradle in which this (couple) exist. I think very possibly, it was love at first sight, from the very beginning and it’s certainly remained that way,” she said.