Love My Way

Love My Way
Love My Way intertitle
GenreMelodrama
Created byJohn Edwards
Claudia Karvan
Jacquelin Perske
StarringClaudia Karvan
Asher Keddie
Brendan Cowell
Dan Wyllie
Sam Worthington
Max Cullen
Ben Mendelsohn
Lynette Curran
Justine Clarke
Sam Parsonson
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producersKim Vecera
Mike Sneesby
Running time50 minutes
Production companySouthern Star Group
Original release
NetworkFOX8 (Season 1)
W. (Season 2)
Showtime (Season 3)
Release22 November 2004 (2004-11-22) –
19 March 2007 (2007-03-19)
Related
The Secret Life of Us (2001–2005)

Love My Way is an Australian television drama series created by John Edwards and Claudia Karvan, which premiered on Fox8 on 22 November 2004, before moving to W. for its second season, and Showtime for its third and final season, concluding on 19 March 2007. The series stars Claudia Karvan, Asher Keddie, Brendan Cowell, Daniel Wyllie, Lynette Curran, Alex Cook, Max Cullen and Gillian Jones. It was produced by Southern Star Group for Foxtel, with Kim Vecera and Mike Sneesby serving as executive producers for the series.

The series endured critical acclaim, where it became the recipient of several major Australian awards and nominations, including the AFI award, in which it won for Best Television Drama Series for each of its three seasons, as well as award wins at the TV Week Logie Awards, Australian Writers' Guild Awards (AWGIE), and the ASTRA Awards.

Premise

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Set in Sydney, Love My Way was about a group of 30-somethings dealing with the ups and downs of life. The series revolves around an extended family unit - Frankie Paige and Charlie Jackson are the separated parents of Lou, and Frankie also lives with Charlie's brother, Tom. As the series began, Charlie's new wife Julia is about to have their first child. Frankie's mother, Di and Charlie's mother, Brenda, and father, Gerry, also have a strong presence in the ongoing story, as does Julia's ex-lover Howard, who enters into a relationship with Frankie.

Production

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Love My Way was produced by John Edwards of the Southern Star Group,[1] and Claudia Karvan, who also played the leading role of Frankie Paige in the series. Initially intended to be picked up by Network Ten, which they agreed not to proceed due to budget concerns,[2] subscription service Foxtel commissioned a first season on ten episodes in 2003, with pre-production lasting 18 months before filming began on 21 June 2004.[3]

When the series was launched, much was made of the connection between Love My Way and The Secret Life of Us: both sharing a star, as well as significant creative talent (Edwards and Perske both were involved in Secret Life, as were series writers like Tony McNamara). However, the series is not a continuation of Secret Life, although it does share some thematic concerns. When developing Love My Way, Edwards and Karvan did, in fact, explore the possibility of a spin-off series set in a hospital, featuring Karvan's character Alex, and Rex (played by Vince Colosimo), a project with never came to fruition.[4]

Foxtel's director of television and marketing, Brian Walsh, stated that the series marked the first time that the network had the freedom to produce a drama exclusively aimed at subscribers, as he remarked that it drew inspiration from several HBO series, including Six Feet Under, The Sopranos and Sex and the City, commenting "[he] wanted to carve out a piece of TV drama that was edgy, daring, provocative".[5]

The series was filmed in actual locations, including The Sunday Telegraph office, while some scenes were filmed on location at the infamously dangerous Cromwell Park, as there was enough money in the budget to cover council fees. Another advantage of producing a pay TV drama was the freedom to push the boundaries, such as the inclusion of regular swearing, drug use and sexual scenes and references, content which is limited in free-to-air shows.[6]

In March 2005, Foxtel commissioned a 12-episode second season, with Austar joining the production as co-investors.[7] The series was renewed for a third season in May 2006, and filming commenced in December 2006.[8]

The star of the series, Claudia Karvan, is also a co-producer, along with having written for the series. Brendan Cowell, who appears as Tom, also worked as script writer for two episodes of seasons 1 and three episodes of season 2.

On first airing, the theme song originally by The Psychedelic Furs, this time covered by Magic Dirt, played over the title sequence.[9]

Cast

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Main cast

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Recurring/guest stars

[edit]

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
11022 November 2004 (2004-11-22)31 January 2005 (2005-01-31)FOX8
2125 February 2006 (2006-02-05)23 April 2006 (2006-04-23)W.
3826 February 2007 (2007-02-26)19 March 2007 (2007-03-19)Showtime

(Episode information retrieved from Australian Television Information Archive).[10][11][12]

Season 1 (2004-05)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Don't Tell Me Your Dreams"Jessica HobbsJacquelin Perske22 November 2004 (2004-11-22)
22"What's In A Name"Jessica HobbsTony McNamara22 November 2004 (2004-11-22)
33"Crazy Love"Jessica HobbsJacquelin Perske & Marissa Cooke29 November 2004 (2004-11-29)
44"Spin Cycle"Ian WatsonBrendan Cowell6 December 2004 (2004-12-06)
55"Stick Sisters"Ian WatsonLouise Fox13 December 2004 (2004-12-13)
66"To Dance With Death"Ian WatsonFiona Seres20 December 2004 (2004-12-20)
77"My Family Up A Tree"Ian WatsonBrendan Cowell10 January 2005 (2005-01-10)
88"A Different Planet"Jessica HobbsLouise Fox17 January 2005 (2005-01-17)
99"Only Mortal"Jessica HobbsJacquelin Perske24 January 2005 (2005-01-24)
1010"Garden Of Love"Jessica HobbsFiona Seres31 January 2005 (2005-01-31)

Season 2 (2006)

[edit]
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
111"More To Tell"Shirley BarrettJacquelin Perske5 February 2006 (2006-02-05)
122"The Christmas Thing"Shirley BarrettTony McNamara12 February 2006 (2006-02-12)
133"When Wanting Works"Shirley BarrettBlake Ayshford19 February 2006 (2006-02-19)
144"No Immunity"Garth DavisLouise Fox26 February 2006 (2006-02-26)
155"Old Wounds"Garth DavisFiona Seres5 March 2006 (2006-03-05)
166"I Know You"Garth DavisBrendan Cowell12 March 2006 (2006-03-12)
177"Tower of Love"Geoff BennettBrendan Cowell, Fiona Seres & Tony McNamara19 March 2006 (2006-03-19)
188"Crossing The Line"Geoff BennettSarah Lambert26 March 2006 (2006-03-26)
199"Amphibians"Geoff BennettBrendan Cowell2 April 2006 (2006-04-02)
2010"One Big Happy"Omar MadhaTony McNamara9 April 2006 (2006-04-09)
2111"Five Minutes of Fame"Omar MadhaFiona Seres16 April 2006 (2006-04-16)
2212"You're Almost There"Omar MadhaLousie Fox & Jacquelin Perske23 April 2006 (2006-04-23)

Season 3 (2007)

[edit]
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
231"I'm The King of the Castle"Ian WatsonBrendan Cowell26 February 2007 (2007-02-26)
242"Cold Blooded Creatures"Ian WatsonTony McNamara26 February 2007 (2007-02-26)
253"Say What You Mean"Shirley BarrettFiona Seres5 March 2007 (2007-03-05)
264"Together Apart"Shirley BarrettLouise Fox5 March 2007 (2007-03-05)
275"The Cemetery Gates"Kate DennisBrendan Cowell12 March 2007 (2007-03-12)
286"Cars Without Brakes"Kate DennisTony McNamara12 March 2007 (2007-03-12)
297"Running With Crabs"Emma FreemanFiona Seres19 March 2007 (2007-03-19)
308"And in the End"Emma FreemanBrendan Cowell, Tony McNamara & Fiona Seres19 March 2007 (2007-03-19)

Reception

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Critical reception

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Love My Way has received critical acclaim throughout its run.

In a review for The Sydney Morning Herald, prior to broadcast of the second season, Robin Oliver stated that "The unrivalled television drama production of 2004 returns with fresh episodes and a verdict is easily reached: better than ever"... "Love My Way positively glows with that precious and often elusive ingredient, the ordinariness of life." Of the cast, he said, "The old gang is in position, notably Tom, Charlie and Julia Jackson (Brendan Cowell, Dan Wyllie and Asher Keddie). Lovely work, but it is the art of unexplored nuance - the parked car, the fingerprinting - that makes Jacqueline Perske's opening script a triumph."[13]

David Knox of TV Tonight, gave the series a positive review prior to the season three premiere, showing praise to the cast performances, commenting "as with previous seasons of LMW the performances are roundly excellent", in particular, he mentioned "[Ben] Mendelsohn shines in a role that reminds us he is all too rarely seen. [Asher] Keddie’s Julia teeters on the brink of vulnerability and anal-retentiveness that shows she is no one-dimensional performer."[14]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Recipient Result Ref.
AFI Awards/
AACTA Awards[a]
2005[b] Best Drama Series John Edwards,
Claudia Karvan
Won [15]
Best Lead Actor in Television Dan Wyllie Nominated
Best Lead Actress in Television Claudia Karvan Won
Best Guest or Supporting Actor in Television Max Cullen (S1:E8)) Won
Best Direction in Television Jessica Hobbs (S1:E8) Won
Best Screenplay in Television Jacquelin Perske (S1:E9) Won
Outstanding Achievement in Craft in Television Louis Irving (cinematography) Nominated
2006[c] Best Drama Series John Edwards,
Claudia Karvan,
Jacquelin Perske
Won [16]
Best Direction in Television Shirley Barrett (S2:E11) Nominated
Best Lead Actor in Television Drama Dan Wyllie Nominated
Best Lead Actress in Television Drama Claudia Karvan Nominated
Best Lead Actress in Television Drama Asher Keddie Nominated
Best Screenplay in Television Jacqueline Perske (S2:E11) Nominated
2007[d] Best Television Drama Series John Edwards,
Claudia Karvan
Won [17]
Best Lead Actor in Television Drama Ben Mendelsohn Nominated
Best Lead Actress in Television Drama Claudia Karvan Won
Best Guest or Supporting Actress in Television Drama Justine Clarke Nominated
Best Screenplay in Television Tony McNamara (S3:E6) Nominated
2015 Subscription Television 20th Anniversary Award for Best Drama Love My Way Won [18]
ASTRA Awards 2005[e] Most Outstanding Australian Production - General Entertainment Love My Way
(John Edwards)
Won [19][20]
Most Outstanding On Camera Performance - Male Dan Wyllie Won
Most Outstanding On Camera Performance - Female Claudia Karvan Won
2006[f] Most Outstanding Drama Program Love My Way
(John Edwards)
Won [21]
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Dan Wyllie Won
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female Claudia Karvan Won
2007[g] Most Outstanding Drama Program Love My Way[h] Won [22][23]
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Dan Wyllie Won
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Ben Mendelsohn Nominated
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female Claudia Karvan Nominated
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female Asher Keddie Won
2008[i] Most Outstanding Drama Love My Way Nominated [24][25]
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Brendan Cowell Nominated
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Dan Wyllie Nominated
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Ben Mendelsohn Nominated
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female Claudia Karvan Won
Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Female Asher Keddie Nominated
Subscribers' Choice: Favourite Program Love My Way Nominated
Australian Cinematographers Society Awards 2005 Best Cinematography in Television Louis Irving Nominated
Australian Directors' Guild Awards 2007 Best Direction in a Television series Kate Dennis (director) (S3:E6) Nominated [26]
Australian Screen Editors Guild Awards 2007 Television Drama Nick Holmes (S3:E6) Nominated [27]
Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards 2005 Best Sound In A Drama Series Nominated
2006 Best Sound In A Drama Series Nominated
2007 Best Sound In A Drama Series Nominated
AWGIE Awards 2005 Television - Series Louise Fox (S1:E8) Won [28]
Television - Series Jacquelin Perske (S1:E9) Nominated
2006 Television - Series Brendan Cowell (S2:E6) Nominated [29]
2007 Television - Series Brendan Cowell (S3:E1) Nominated [30]
Television - Series Tony McNamara (S3:E2) Won
2008 Television - Series Brendan Cowell (S3:E6) Nominated [31]
Logie Awards 2005[j] Most Outstanding Drama Series Love My Way
(John Edwards)
Won [32]
Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Brendan Cowell Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Dan Wyllie Nominated
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Claudia Karvan Nominated
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Asher Keddie Nominated
2006[k] Most Outstanding Drama Series Love My Way
(John Edwards)
Won [33]
Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Brendan Cowell Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Dan Wyllie Won
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Claudia Karvan Won
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Asher Keddie Nominated
2007[l] Most Outstanding Drama Series Love My Way
(John Edwards)
Won [34]
Most Popular Actor Brendan Cowell Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Ben Mendelsohn Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Dan Wyllie Nominated
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Claudia Karvan Nominated
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Asher Keddie Nominated
Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent Sam Parsonson Nominated
2008[m] Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Claudia Karvan Nominated [35]
Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Asher Keddie Nominated
Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent Adelaide Clemens Nominated
Screen Music Awards 2005[n] Best Music for a Television Series or Serial Stephen Rae Won [36]
Screen Producers Australia Awards 2005[o] Drama Series Production of the Year John Edwards Won

Broadcast

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The series premiered on FOX8 on 22 November 2004 during the late summer months when commercial TV is in a non-ratings period.[37] During the second season it was moved to W. Channel. In 2007, for its third season, it screened on Showtime. Foxtel has been criticised for moving the show to different channels to encourage viewing of the W. Channel and then for moving the program to Showtime which is not included in the basic package of subscription television in Australia.[38]

International airings

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Love My Way was aired as a primetime show in the UK on Five's spin-off channel Five Life (Now Fiver). In Sweden it airs on channel 4 (TV4) on Thursday evenings and it also aired in Ireland on RTÉ Two in the early hours of Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is also screened in Estonia on ETV during Sunday evenings, and in New Zealand on TVNZ Channel 2 during late Monday evenings. As well, Super Channel carries Love My Way. In Mexico is screened on Cosmopolitan. The Netherlands as well.

Home media

[edit]
Title Release date
(Region 4)
No. of
discs
ACB rating Ref.
Love My Way – The First Series: Vols 1–5 2006 5 MA15+ [39][40]
Love My Way: The Complete First Series 2 February 2006 5 MA15+ [41][39][40]
Love My Way: Series 2 16 November 2006 3 MA15+ [42][43]
Love My Way: Series 3 17 October 2007 3 MA15+ [44][45]
Love My Way: The Complete Three Series – Everything 6 November 2008 11 MA15+ [46]
Re-issue sets
Love My Way: The Complete First Series 2 July 2009 5 MA15+ [47]
Love My Way: Series 2 6 January 2011 3 MA15+ [48]
Love My Way: Series 3 5 May 2011 3 MA15+ [49]
Love My Way: The Complete Series 21 April 2021 11 MA15+ [50]

Notes

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  1. ^ The Australian Film Institute renamed the AFI Awards to the AACTA Awards.
  2. ^ AFI Awards for Season 1.
  3. ^ AFI Awards for Season 2.
  4. ^ AFI Awards for Season 3.
  5. ^ ASTRA Awards for Season 1 episodes that aired in 2004.
  6. ^ ASTRA Awards for the remaining Season 1 episodes that aired in 2005.
  7. ^ ASTRA Awards for Season 2.
  8. ^ tied with Stupid, Stupid Man.
  9. ^ ASTRA Awards for Season 3.
  10. ^ Logie Awards for Season 1.
  11. ^ Logie Awards for Season 2.
  12. ^ Logie Awards for Season 3.
  13. ^ Logie Awards for Season 3 (additional).
  14. ^ Screen Music Award for Season 1.
  15. ^ Screen Producers Australia Award for Season 1.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SOUTHERN STAR JOHN EDWARDS". Screen Australia. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Family first". australiantelevision.net (sourced from The Sydney Morning Herald). 16 November 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Claudia's news role". australiantelevision.net (sourced from The Sunday Times). 20 June 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Karvan does it her way". australiantelevision.net (sourced from The Herald Sun). 21 October 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  5. ^ Tedmanson, Sophie (23 October 2004). "Karvan's double life". australiantelevision.net (sourced from The Australian). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Drama explores new ground". australiantelevision.net (sourced from The Courier-Mail). 11 November 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Love My Way Set for Second Season". australiantelevision.net (sourced from worldscreen.com). 11 November 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Love My Way to return". australiantelevision.net (sourced from AAP). 8 May 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Love My Way: music credits". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Episode Guide: Love My Way - season 1". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Episode Guide: Love My Way - season 2". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Episode Guide: Love My Way - season 3". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  13. ^ Oliver, Robin (5 February 2006). "Love My Way". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  14. ^ Knox, David (24 February 2007). "First Review: Love My Way". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  15. ^ "AACTA AWARDS 2005". aacta.org. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  16. ^ "AACTA AWARDS 2006". aacta.org. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  17. ^ "AACTA AWARDS 2007". aacta.org. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  18. ^ "AACTA Award Winners Announced in Sydney as Australia's top Film and TV stars shine on Seven" (PDF). aacta.org. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  19. ^ "ASTRA winners". The Age. 21 April 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  20. ^ "2005 ASTRA Award Winners". astraawards.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  21. ^ "2006 ASTRA Award Winners". astraawards.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  22. ^ Knox, David (30 March 2007). "ASTRA Nominees". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  23. ^ Knox, David (24 April 2007). "Tie in ASTRA Awards". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  24. ^ Knox, David (26 March 2008). "2008 ASTRA nominees announced". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 28 March 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  25. ^ Knox, David (21 April 2008). "ASTRA Awards: The winners". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Australian Directors Guild Awards 2007". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  27. ^ "2007 ASE 'Ellie' Award Nominees and Winners:". screeneditors.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Australian Writers' Guild Awards 2005". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Australian Writers' Guild Awards 2006". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Australian Writers' Guild Awards 2007". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Australian Writers' Guild Awards 2008". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Logie Awards 2005". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Logie Awards 2006". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Logie Awards 2007". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  35. ^ "Logie Awards 2008". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Screen Music Awards 2005". apraamcos.com.au. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  37. ^ Jinman, Richard (18 November 2004). "Love, warts and all". The Age. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  38. ^ Knox, David (24 February 2007). "First Review: Love My Way". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 30 April 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  39. ^ a b "LOVE MY WAY EPS 1-5 - DON'T TELL ME YOUR DREAMS/ WHAT'S IN A NAME?/ CRAZY LOVE/ SPIN CYCLE/ STICK SISTERS". classification.gov.au. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  40. ^ a b "LOVE MY WAY EPS 6-10 - TO DANCE WITH DEATH/ MY FAMILY UP A TREE/ A DIFFERENT PLANET/ ONLY MORTAL/ GARDEN OF LOVE". classification.gov.au. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  41. ^ "Love My Way Complete First Season [5 discs] [Region 4]". fishpond.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Love My Way - Series 2 [3 discs] [Region 4]". fishpond.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  43. ^ "LOVE MY WAY SERIES 2 - HOME/THE CHRISTMAS THING/WHEN WANTING WORKS/NO IMMUNITY/OLD WOUNDS/I KNOW YOU/TOWER OF LOVE/CROSSING THE LINE/LOOK WHAT YOU MADE/ONE BIG HAPPY/FIVE MINUTES OF FAME/COMING UP FOR AIR". classification.gov.au. 8 September 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Love My Way: Series 3 - [Region 4]". fishpond.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  45. ^ "LOVE MY WAY SERIES 3 - I'M THE KING OF THE CASTLE/ COLD BLOODED CREATURES/ SAY WHAT YOU MEAN/ TOGETHER APART/ THE CEMETARY/ CARS WITHOUT BREAKS/ RUNNING WITH CRABS/ AN IN THE END". classification.gov.au. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  46. ^ "Love My Way [Region 4] The Complete Series 1 - 3". fishpond.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  47. ^ "Love My Way Series 1". Booktopia. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Love My Way Love My Way - Series 2 (NP)". Booktopia. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Love My Way: Season 3 (DVD)". amazon.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  50. ^ "Love My Way The Complete Series". Booktopia. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
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