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Fans around the country mourned when Maggie Doyle died in a dramatic episode of Blue Heelers earlier this year. After weeks of tension, P.J. closes in on her killer and finally learns the truth in an emotional instalment of the hit Seven drama. Danielle Hood spoke to Martin Sacks about the anguish of farewelling the popular character and her Logie-winning alter ego, Lisa McCune When Martin Sacks first heard Maggie Doyle was going to be killed in Blue Heelers, he was shocked. "I said, 'You can't kill her. It's like killing Mother Teresa'." says the actor who plays Det. P.J. Hasham in the long-running drama. "'Maggie? You are going to kill Maggie? Maggie's everyone's role model. She's the girl you want to date, the sister you always wanted to have or the daughter you wished you had'. "She was a lot of things to a lot of people, so I was quite surprised. But that was the way they chose to go and we were given the scripts and had to play it." This week (Seven, Wednesday 8:30pm), the story of who killed Maggie Doyle (Lisa McCune) comes full circle and the killer's identity is revealed. "We have had a little bit of a hiatus from the 'Who Killed Maggie Doyle' story and now we are going to get back into it." Sacks says. "All is revealed in this episode, so I think there will be a few people interested in watching it. "The person who killed Maggie is not necessarily the most obvious person people are suggesting. I think there are a few people who will come into the mix in terms of who could be responsible. "We have done a lot of episodes over six years, but this is one that I'm particularly proud of because I think everyone really put in. "Hopefully it's a fitting end and a good closure for the much-loved character Maggie. Hopefully we're not going to disappoint people and we'll be able to give them something satisfying." Sacks believes the scenes surrounding McCune's departure were some of the most demanding of his 20-year career. They signalled the end of Maggie and P.J.'s touching relationship and the end of his special working relationship with a good friend.

"It was demanding, but Lisa and I tried to commit to it as much as we could because it was coming to the end of our relationship on screen." he says. "It was a very sad time for both of us and I think we tried to dig a bit deeper and make them really solid episodes. "It was very sad for me on a personal level, because losing Lisa - well, we were partners on-screen, but also great pals off. "We all wanted to give her a fixing farewell. She had given so much to the show and we all figured it was worthwhile trying to give her a special farewell. She is just a really delightful, genuine person, who was a joy to work with. That does not happen too often. "On a personal level, I have missed working with her terribly, but we have got some great new characters that have come on to the show. "There's a new dynamic and some fantastic new young actors that are very, very strong. There will definitely be a reaction to Maggie leaving, but (the show) will be able to regain its position again because the new characters that have been brought in are fabulous. I think the public will take to them really strongly. "Lisa and I had a ball. It was a fun, fabulous time. But it's the start of something new and time for audiences to greet new characters." One of three remaining original cast members (along with John Wood and Julie Nihill), Sacks says he is happy to stay put for the time being. Although he believes he is not overly ambitious, he would like to expand his acting horizons a little. "For me, Blue Heelers has been a gift." he says. "Too have one Blue Heelers in your acting career is very rare, so I am quite appreciative of that. "I have remained in work and been able to do something that people have, hopefully, enjoyed, but there will come a time. "I'm staying with the show, but within my shooting schedule I'm looking forward to doing other projects as well. I'd like to get time away maybe for a few weeks here and there to do a movie or a play. "There are some jobs and roles I would like to do as an actor, but the older you get the more philosophical you become about it and I guess, in some ways, you become a little less ambitious. "If I am just going to be at home rearing a couple of kids, then so be it. I have had 20 years of lots of fun and lots of opportunities so I don't feel like I have missed out. I'm not too anxious about the future. I am looking forward to it." It is easy to see why Sacks is so positive. After one year of marriage, the likeable actor is settling nicely into his new role as a father. His wife, Kate, gave birth to baby Jack three months ago. "Your focus changes because of the big 'R' word - responsibility - comes in." he says. "When you are single you can live a fairly selfish life, but the best thing that can ever happen to you is to actually have a baby because it forces you to really take stock and find out what is important in life. "Having a baby makes you feel like you've left a legacy, if nothing else. The work and everything else pales into insignificance. It is not that important in the end. But to have had a child - it's the best thing I've ever done. "I highly recommend it."