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{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image =
| image =
| genre = {{Plainlist|
*[[Police procedural]]
*[[Crime drama]]
*[[Action genre|Action]]
*[[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]]
*[[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]}}
| runtime = 42-45 minutes
| runtime = 42-45 minutes
| creator = John Hugginson<br />[[Tony Morphett]]
| creator = John Hugginson<br />[[Tony Morphett]]
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}}
}}


'''''Water Rats''''' is an Australian TV [[police procedural]] broadcast on the [[Nine Network]] from 1996 to 2001. The [[Television series|series]] was based on the work of [[New South Wales Police Force#Marine Area Command|Sydney Water Police]] who fight crime around [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] and surrounding locales. The show was set on and around [[Goat Island (Port Jackson)|Goat Island]] in Sydney Harbour.
'''''Water Rats''''' is an Australian [[police procedural]] [[crime drama]] television series created by John Hugginson and [[Tony Morphett]] for the [[Nine Network]]. The series was based on the work of [[New South Wales Police Force#Marine Area Command|Sydney Water Police]] who fight crime around [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] and surrounding locales. The show was set on and around [[Goat Island (Port Jackson)|Goat Island]] in Sydney Harbour.


''Water Rats'' premiered on 12 February 1996, and ran for six seasons and 177 episodes. [[Colin Friels]] and [[Catherine McClements]] were the original stars of the series and were instrumental in the show's early success. They both departed the show in 1999. In later seasons, [[Steve Bisley]], [[Aaron Pedersen]] and [[Dee Smart]] became the show's main stars.
''Water Rats'' premiered on 12 February 1996, and ran for six seasons and 177 episodes. [[Colin Friels]] and [[Catherine McClements]] were the original stars of the series and were instrumental in the show's early success. They both departed the show in 1999. In later seasons, [[Steve Bisley]], [[Aaron Pedersen]] and [[Dee Smart]] became the show's main stars.
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===Guests===
===Guests===
{|class="wikitable"
* [[Abbie Cornish]] as Marie Marchand (1 episode)
! Actor
* [[Abi Tucker]] as Amy Collins (1 episode)
! Role
* [[Amanda Douge]] as Carly Middleton (1 episode)
! Episodes
* [[Anna Lise Phillips]] as Megan (1 episode)
|-
* [[Anthony Hayes (actor)|Anthony Hayes]] as Jarred (1 episode)
* [[Brett Climo]] as Terry Spiro (1 episode)
| [[Abbie Cornish]] || Marie Marchand || 1 episode
|-
* [[Bridie Carter]] as Joanne Calvert (2 episodes)
* [[Brooke Anderson (actress)|Brooke Anderson]] as Finn (1 episode)
| [[Abi Tucker]] || Amy Collins || 1 episode
|-
* [[Carmen Duncan]] as Geraldine St Clare (1 episode)
| [[Alan David Lee]] || Jim Flemming / Tom McKelvey || 3 episodes
* [[Caroline Brazier]] as Heather Pinchon (1 episode)
|-
* [[Caz Lederman]] as Marie James (1 episode)
| [[Alyssa McClelland]] || Samantha || 1 episode
* [[Celia Ireland]] as Sarah Fleetwood (2 episodes)
|-
* Christopher Barry as Prison Warden (1 episode)
* [[Claudia Black]] as Beth Williams (1 episode)
| [[Amanda Douge]] || Carly Middleton || 1 episode
|-
* [[Damian de Montemas]] as Constance 'Fish' Wilson (1 episode)
| [[Anna Lise Phillips]] || Megan || 1 episode
* [[Danny Adcock]] as Rhys "Kegs" Jeegan
|-
* [[Danny Roberts (Australian actor)|Danny Roberts]] as Fred Pearson (1 episode)
* [[David Field (actor)|David Field]] as Warren / Doug (4 episodes)
| [[Anthony Hayes (actor)|Anthony Hayes]] || Jarred || 1 episode
|-
* [[Deni Gordon]] as Cynthia Rody (1 episode)
| [[Arky Michael]] || Dave Fremont || 1 episode
* [[Diana McLean]] as Elizabeth Cartland / Trish (2 episodes)
|-
* [[Ditch Davey]] as Brendan Hogan (2 episodes)
* [[Felicity Price]] as Sally (1 episode)
| [[Brett Climo]] || Terry Spiro || 1 episode
|-
* [[Helen Buday]] as Peggy Newland (1 episode)
| [[Bridie Carter]] || Joanne Calvert || 2 episodes
* [[Helen Scott (actress)|Helen Scott]] as Joy Godfrey (1 episode)
|-
* [[Helen Thomson (actress)|Helen Thomson]] as Breda / Anne Harvey (2 episodes)
* [[Hunter Page-Lochard]] as Max Bullen (2 episodes)
| [[Brittany Byrnes]] || Geena Sadler || 2 episodes
|-
* [[Ian Bliss]] as Colin Fleetwood / Max Prescott (4 episodes)
* [[Imogen Annesley]] as Jennifer Campbell (2 episode)
| [[Brooke Anderson (actress)|Brooke Anderson]] || Finn || 1 episode
|-
* [[Jason Smith (actor)|Jason Smith]] as Neil Wilson (3 episodes)
* [[Jessica Napier]] as Vanessa (1 episode)
| [[Carmen Duncan]] || Geraldine St Clare || 1 episode
|-
* [[John Brumpton]] as Joe Slaven (1 episode)
* [[John Clayton (Australian actor)|John Clayton]] as Ronald Barnsley (1 episode)
| [[Caroline Brazier]] || Heather Pinchon || 1 episode
|-
* [[John Howard (Australian actor)|John Howard]] as Sven Larsen (2 episodes)
* [[John Jarratt]] as Colin McGuire (1 episode)
| [[Caz Lederman]] || Marie James || 1 episode
|-
* [[John Noble]] as Dr Harry (1 episode)
* [[Justin Rosniak]] as Kingsley / Wayne (2 episodes)
| [[Celia Ireland]] || Sarah Fleetwood || 2 episodes
|-
* [[Kate Sheil]] as Coroner (1 episode)
* [[Leon Ford]] as First Probationer (1 episode)
| [[Christine Stephen-Daly]] || Sylvia Rapsardi || 1 episode
|-
* [[Liz Burch]] as Susan Webb (1 episode)
* [[Lorna Lesley]] as Mrs Gleeson (1 episode)
| Christopher Barry || Prison Warden || 1 episode
|-
* [[Luke Carroll]] as Courier (1 episode)
* [[Luke Ford]] as Harley Strachan (1 episode)
| [[Claudia Black]] || Beth Williams || 1 episode
|-
* [[Manu Bennett]] as Joseph Lipinski (3 episodes)
* [[Marina Finlay]] as Gretchen Hart (1 episode)
| [[Damian de Montemas]] || Constance 'Fish' Wilson || 1 episode
|-
* [[Matthew Newton]] as Josh Rogers (1 episode)
* [[Melissa Bell (actor)|Melissa Bell]] as Lisa Hubbard (1 episode)
| [[Danny Adcock]] || Rhys 'Kegs' Jeegan || 1 episode
|-
* [[Mercia Deane-Johns]] as Cheryl Voss (1 episode)
| [[Danny Roberts (Australian actor)|Danny Roberts]] || Fred Pearson || 1 episode
* [[Michael Denkha]] as Chicka Canter / Terry Brown (2 episodes)
|-
* [[Myles Pollard]] as Robert Haig (1 episode)
| [[David Field (actor)|David Field]] || Warren / Doug || 4 episodes
* [[Nadine Garner]] as Shelley Andrews (1 episode)
|-
* [[Nathaniel Buzolic]] as Uncredited
* [[Nicholas Bishop]] as Shane Bookman (1 episode)
| [[Deni Gordon]] || Cynthia Rody || 1 episode
|-
* [[Noah Taylor]] as Ronny Jefferson (1 episode)
| [[Diana McLean]] || Elizabeth Cartland / Trish || 2 episodes
* [[Pat Bishop]] as Miranda Lathem (1 episode)
|-
* [[Paul Tassone]] as Warwick Richard (1 episode)
| [[Ditch Davey]] || Brendan Hogan || 2 episodes
* [[Peter O'Brien (actor)|Peter O'Brien]] as Matthew Grierson (1 episode)
|-
* [[Peter Phelps]] as Jimmy Formica (1 episode)
* [[Rachael Blake]] as Carly Bridges (1 episode)
| [[Felicity Price]] || Sally || 1 episode
|-
* [[Rebecca Frith]] as Rebecca Solomon (1 episode)
* [[Rebekah Elmaloglou]] as Christina Mangano (1 episode)
| [[Garry Who]] || John Lynch || 1 episode
|-
* Richard Healy as Inspector Tony Brady (1 episode)
| [[Helen Buday]] || Peggy Newland || 1 episode
* [[Rob Carlton]] as David ‘Kiwi Dave’ Crowe / Barry Elliot (3 episodes)
|-
* [[Roy Billing]] as Stan (1 episode)
* [[Rupert Reid]] as Jens (1 episode)
| [[Helen Scott (actress)|Helen Scott]] || Joy Godfrey || 1 episode
|-
* [[Russell Kiefel]] as Lewis West (2 episodes)
| [[Helen Thomson (actress)|Helen Thomson]] || Breda / Anne Harvey || 2 episodes
* [[Sam Worthington]] as Phillip Champion (1 episode)
|-
* [[Sarah Chadwick]] as Yvonne Carlisle (1 episode)
| [[Hunter Page-Lochard]] || Max Bullen || 2 episodes
* [[Simmone Jade Mackinnon]] as Bianca Matthias (1 episode)
|-
* [[Simon Burke]] as Det. Sgt. 'Mac' Phillips (2 episodes)
| [[Ian Bliss]] || Colin Fleetwood / Max Prescott || 4 episodes
* [[Steve Le Marquand]] as Tim (1 episode)
|-
* Steven Grivies as Jonathon Goldstein (1 episode)
* [[Susan Prior]] as Rosie Callahan (2 episodes)
| [[Imogen Annesley]] || Jennifer Campbell || 2 episode
|-
* [[Susie Porter]] as Julie Drummond (1 episode)
| [[Jason Smith (actor)|Jason Smith]] || Neil Wilson || 3 episodes
* [[Tara Morice]] as Anne Milner (1 episode)
|-
* [[Tasma Walton]] as Belinda Harvey (1 episode)
* [[Tim Campbell (actor)|Tim Campbell]] as Peter Kostos (1 episode)
| [[Jessica Napier]] || Vanessa || 1 episode
|-
* [[Tom Richards (actor)|Tom Richards]] as Dan Manning
* [[Tony Bonner]] as Warren / Doug (4 episodes)
| [[John Batchelor (actor)|John Batchelor]] || Eric Bourke || 2 episodes
|-
* [[Tracy Mann]] as Supt. Franklin (1 episode)
* [[Vanessa Downing]] as Margaret Hobbs (1 episode)
| [[John Brumpton]] || Joe Slaven || 1 episode
|-
* [[Victoria Longley]] as Tracy Bennett (1 episode)
| [[John Clayton (Australian actor)|John Clayton]] || Ronald Barnsley || 1 episode
* Blake Power as Jewish school child
|-
* Tom McCrickard as Stringy Oscar
| [[John Howard (Australian actor)|John Howard]] || Sven Larsen || 2 episodes
|-
| [[John Jarratt]] || Colin McGuire || 1 episode
|-
| [[John Noble]] || Dr Harry || 1 episode
|-
| [[Josef Ber]] || Owen || 1 episode
|-
| [[Josh Quong Tart]] || Yo || 1 episode
|-
| [[Justin Rosniak]] || Kingsley / Wayne || 2 episodes
|-
| [[Kate Sheil]] || Coroner || 1 episode
|-
| [[Leon Ford]] || First Probationer || 1 episode
|-
| [[Liz Burch]] || Susan Webb || 1 episode
|-
| [[Lorna Lesley]] || Mrs Gleeson || 1 episode
|-
| [[Luke Carroll]] || Courier || 1 episode
|-
| [[Luke Ford]] || Harley Strachan || 1 episode
|-
| [[Manu Bennett]] || Joseph Lipinski || 3 episodes
|-
| [[Marina Finlay]] || Gretchen Hart || 1 episode
|-
| [[Mark Owen-Taylor]] || Jimmy Reid || 1 episode
|-
| [[Matthew Newton]] || Josh Rogers || 1 episode
|-
| [[Melissa Bell (actor)|Melissa Bell]] || Lisa Hubbard || 1 episode
|-
| [[Mercia Deane-Johns]] || Cheryl Voss || 1 episode
|-
| [[Michael Beckley]] || Roger Mulray || 1 episode
|-
| [[Michael Denkha]] || Chicka Canter / Terry Brown || 2 episodes
|-
| [[Myles Pollard]] || Robert Haig || 1 episode
|-
| [[Nadine Garner]] || Shelley Andrews || 1 episode
|-
| [[Nathaniel Buzolic]] || Uncredited || 1 episode
|-
| [[Nicholas Bishop]] || Shane Bookman || 1 episode
|-
| [[Noah Taylor]] || Ronny Jefferson || 1 episode
|-
| [[Pat Bishop]] || Miranda Lathem || 1 episode
|-
| [[Paul Mercurio]] || Les Johnson || 1 episode
|-
| [[Paul Tassone]] || Warwick Richard || 1 episode
|-
| [[Peter O'Brien (actor)|Peter O'Brien]] || Matthew Grierson || 1 episode
|-
| [[Peter Phelps]] || Jimmy Formica || 1 episode
|-
| [[Rachael Blake]] || Carly Bridges || 1 episode
|-
| [[Rebecca Frith]] || Rebecca Solomon || 1 episode
|-
| [[Rebekah Elmaloglou]] || Christina Mangano || 1 episode
|-
| Richard Healy || Inspector Tony Brady || 1 episode
|-
| [[Rob Carlton]] || David ‘Kiwi Dave’ Crowe / Barry Elliot || 3 episodes
|-
| [[Robert Mammone]] || Detective Agi Fatseas || 5 episodes
|-
| [[Rohan Nichol]] || Shane Green || 1 episode
|-
| [[Roy Billing]] || Stan || 1 episode
|-
| [[Rupert Reid]] || Jens || 1 episode
|-
| [[Russell Kiefel]] || Lewis West || 2 episodes
|-
| [[Sam Healy]] || Blaire Wenzel || 1 episode
|-
| [[Sam Worthington]] || Phillip Champion || 1 episode
|-
| [[Sarah Chadwick]] || Yvonne Carlisle || 1 episode
|-
| [[Saskia Burmeister]] || Victoria St Clair || 1 episode
|-
| [[Scott McGregor (television presenter)|Scott McGregor]] || Rob Jennings || 2 episodes
|-
| [[Simmone Jade Mackinnon]] || Bianca Matthias || 1 episode
|-
| [[Simon Burke]] || Det. Sgt. 'Mac' Phillips || 2 episodes
|-
| [[Steve Le Marquand]] || Tim || 1 episode
|-
| Steven Gravies || Jonathon Goldstein || 1 episode
|-
| [[Susan Prior]] || Rosie Callahan || 2 episodes
|-
| [[Susie Porter]] || Julie Drummond || 1 episode
|-
| [[Tara Morice]] || Anne Milner || 1 episode
|-
| [[Tasma Walton]] || Belinda Harvey || 1 episode
|-
| [[Tim Campbell (actor)|Tim Campbell]] || Peter Kostos || 1 episode
|-
| [[Tom Richards (actor)|Tom Richards]] || Dan Manning ||
|-
| [[Tony Bonner]] || Warren / Doug || 4 episodes
|-
| [[Tracy Mann]] || Supt. Franklin || 1 episode
|-
| [[Vanessa Downing]] || Margaret Hobbs || 1 episode
|-
| [[Victoria Longley]] || Tracy Bennett || 1 episode
|-
| Blake Power || Jewish school child ||
|-
| Tom McCrickard || Stringy Oscar ||
|}


==Season summaries==
==Season summaries==
Line 169: Line 297:
===Pilot===
===Pilot===
The pilot of ''Water Rats'' screened in Australia at 8.30&nbsp;pm on Monday, 12 February 1996. It was entitled "Dead in the Water" and was a two-part episode, concernimg a divorced man, deranged over the death of his daughter, who captures a [[Sydney Ferries|Sydney Harbour ferry]] and holds the city to ransom.<ref name="scott">Ed. Scott Murray, ''Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995'', Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p161</ref>
The pilot of ''Water Rats'' screened in Australia at 8.30&nbsp;pm on Monday, 12 February 1996. It was entitled "Dead in the Water" and was a two-part episode, concernimg a divorced man, deranged over the death of his daughter, who captures a [[Sydney Ferries|Sydney Harbour ferry]] and holds the city to ransom.<ref name="scott">Ed. Scott Murray, ''Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995'', Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p161</ref>
"Dead in the Water" introduced viewers to Detective Senior Constables Frank Holloway ([[Colin Friels|Coln Friels]]) and Rachel Goldstein ([[Catherine McClements]]).
"Dead in the Water" introduced viewers to Detective Senior Constables Frank Holloway ([[Colin Friels|Colin Friels]]) and Rachel Goldstein ([[Catherine McClements]]).


==== Other characters ====
==== Other characters ====
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==Notes==
==Notes==
* There was a 2003 [[National Film and Sound Archive]], [[Canberra]] exhibition on Australian police dramas (1950–present) that featured some scripts from the show, as well as a plastic corpse used in one episode. See [[National Archives of Australia]] for details.
* There was a 2003 [[National Film and Sound Archive]], [[Canberra]] exhibition on Australian police dramas (1950–present) that featured some scripts from the show, as well as a plastic corpse used in one episode. See [[National Archives of Australia]] for details.
* The exterior for Frank's house was filmed near the [[Agar Steps]] in [[The Rocks, New South Wales]]; however, the interior was shot on Goat Island.
* The exterior for Frank's house was filmed near the [[Agar Steps]] in [[The Rocks, New South Wales]]; however, the interior was shot on [[Goat Island (Port Jackson)|Goat Island]].
* Catherine McClements had previously worked with [[Colin Friels]] in the movie ''Weekend with Kate'' (1990), Scott Burgess in the movie ''Just Us'' (1986) and Tony Morphett (the creator of ''Water Rats'') in the telemovie ''My Brother Tom'' (1986).
* Catherine McClements had previously worked with [[Colin Friels]] in the movie ''[[Weekend with Kate]]'' (1990), [[Scott Burgess (actor)|Scott Burgess]] in the movie ''[[Just Us (film)|Just Us]]'' (1986) and [[Tony Morphett]] (the creator of ''Water Rats'') in the telemovie ''[[My Brother Tom]]'' (1986).
* Season three originally contained 32 episodes; however, because of Colin Friels' illness, only 31 went to air.
* Season three originally contained 32 episodes; however, because of Colin Friels' illness, only 31 went to air.


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[[Category:1990s Australian drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s Australian drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s Australian crime television series]]
[[Category:1990s Australian crime television series]]
[[Category:1990s crime drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s mystery television series]]
[[Category:Australian thriller television series]]
[[Category:Nautical television series]]
[[Category:Nautical television series]]
[[Category:Nine Network original programming]]
[[Category:Nine Network original programming]]
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[[Category:2000s Australian drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s Australian drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s Australian crime television series]]
[[Category:2000s Australian crime television series]]
[[Category:2000s crime drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s mystery television series]]

Latest revision as of 01:25, 15 December 2024

Water Rats
Genre
Created byJohn Hugginson
Tony Morphett
StarringColin Friels
Catherine McClements
Steve Bisley
Toni Scanlan
Peter Bensley
Aaron Pedersen
Dee Smart
Jay Laga'aia
Theme music composerLes Gock
Song Zu
Country of originAustralia
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes177 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducersHal McElroy
Ted Roberts
Production locationsSydney
The Rocks
Goat Island
Balmain
Running time42-45 minutes
Production companiesSouthern Star Productions
Nine Films and Television
Original release
NetworkNine Network
Release12 February 1996 (1996-02-12) –
7 August 2001 (2001-08-07)

Water Rats is an Australian police procedural crime drama television series created by John Hugginson and Tony Morphett for the Nine Network. The series was based on the work of Sydney Water Police who fight crime around Sydney Harbour and surrounding locales. The show was set on and around Goat Island in Sydney Harbour.

Water Rats premiered on 12 February 1996, and ran for six seasons and 177 episodes. Colin Friels and Catherine McClements were the original stars of the series and were instrumental in the show's early success. They both departed the show in 1999. In later seasons, Steve Bisley, Aaron Pedersen and Dee Smart became the show's main stars.

For the sixth and final season in 2001, the show concentrated more on the cops' personal lives rather than just focusing on the crimes committed. The Nine Network cancelled the show after six seasons. Executive Producer Kris Noble blamed escalating costs for the cancellation. However, the series had been suffering a ratings decline following the departure of Friels and McClements in 1999.

The final episode was broadcast in Australia on 7 August 2001.

Cast

[edit]

Main

[edit]

Supporting

[edit]

Recurring

[edit]

Guests

[edit]
Actor Role Episodes
Abbie Cornish Marie Marchand 1 episode
Abi Tucker Amy Collins 1 episode
Alan David Lee Jim Flemming / Tom McKelvey 3 episodes
Alyssa McClelland Samantha 1 episode
Amanda Douge Carly Middleton 1 episode
Anna Lise Phillips Megan 1 episode
Anthony Hayes Jarred 1 episode
Arky Michael Dave Fremont 1 episode
Brett Climo Terry Spiro 1 episode
Bridie Carter Joanne Calvert 2 episodes
Brittany Byrnes Geena Sadler 2 episodes
Brooke Anderson Finn 1 episode
Carmen Duncan Geraldine St Clare 1 episode
Caroline Brazier Heather Pinchon 1 episode
Caz Lederman Marie James 1 episode
Celia Ireland Sarah Fleetwood 2 episodes
Christine Stephen-Daly Sylvia Rapsardi 1 episode
Christopher Barry Prison Warden 1 episode
Claudia Black Beth Williams 1 episode
Damian de Montemas Constance 'Fish' Wilson 1 episode
Danny Adcock Rhys 'Kegs' Jeegan 1 episode
Danny Roberts Fred Pearson 1 episode
David Field Warren / Doug 4 episodes
Deni Gordon Cynthia Rody 1 episode
Diana McLean Elizabeth Cartland / Trish 2 episodes
Ditch Davey Brendan Hogan 2 episodes
Felicity Price Sally 1 episode
Garry Who John Lynch 1 episode
Helen Buday Peggy Newland 1 episode
Helen Scott Joy Godfrey 1 episode
Helen Thomson Breda / Anne Harvey 2 episodes
Hunter Page-Lochard Max Bullen 2 episodes
Ian Bliss Colin Fleetwood / Max Prescott 4 episodes
Imogen Annesley Jennifer Campbell 2 episode
Jason Smith Neil Wilson 3 episodes
Jessica Napier Vanessa 1 episode
John Batchelor Eric Bourke 2 episodes
John Brumpton Joe Slaven 1 episode
John Clayton Ronald Barnsley 1 episode
John Howard Sven Larsen 2 episodes
John Jarratt Colin McGuire 1 episode
John Noble Dr Harry 1 episode
Josef Ber Owen 1 episode
Josh Quong Tart Yo 1 episode
Justin Rosniak Kingsley / Wayne 2 episodes
Kate Sheil Coroner 1 episode
Leon Ford First Probationer 1 episode
Liz Burch Susan Webb 1 episode
Lorna Lesley Mrs Gleeson 1 episode
Luke Carroll Courier 1 episode
Luke Ford Harley Strachan 1 episode
Manu Bennett Joseph Lipinski 3 episodes
Marina Finlay Gretchen Hart 1 episode
Mark Owen-Taylor Jimmy Reid 1 episode
Matthew Newton Josh Rogers 1 episode
Melissa Bell Lisa Hubbard 1 episode
Mercia Deane-Johns Cheryl Voss 1 episode
Michael Beckley Roger Mulray 1 episode
Michael Denkha Chicka Canter / Terry Brown 2 episodes
Myles Pollard Robert Haig 1 episode
Nadine Garner Shelley Andrews 1 episode
Nathaniel Buzolic Uncredited 1 episode
Nicholas Bishop Shane Bookman 1 episode
Noah Taylor Ronny Jefferson 1 episode
Pat Bishop Miranda Lathem 1 episode
Paul Mercurio Les Johnson 1 episode
Paul Tassone Warwick Richard 1 episode
Peter O'Brien Matthew Grierson 1 episode
Peter Phelps Jimmy Formica 1 episode
Rachael Blake Carly Bridges 1 episode
Rebecca Frith Rebecca Solomon 1 episode
Rebekah Elmaloglou Christina Mangano 1 episode
Richard Healy Inspector Tony Brady 1 episode
Rob Carlton David ‘Kiwi Dave’ Crowe / Barry Elliot 3 episodes
Robert Mammone Detective Agi Fatseas 5 episodes
Rohan Nichol Shane Green 1 episode
Roy Billing Stan 1 episode
Rupert Reid Jens 1 episode
Russell Kiefel Lewis West 2 episodes
Sam Healy Blaire Wenzel 1 episode
Sam Worthington Phillip Champion 1 episode
Sarah Chadwick Yvonne Carlisle 1 episode
Saskia Burmeister Victoria St Clair 1 episode
Scott McGregor Rob Jennings 2 episodes
Simmone Jade Mackinnon Bianca Matthias 1 episode
Simon Burke Det. Sgt. 'Mac' Phillips 2 episodes
Steve Le Marquand Tim 1 episode
Steven Gravies Jonathon Goldstein 1 episode
Susan Prior Rosie Callahan 2 episodes
Susie Porter Julie Drummond 1 episode
Tara Morice Anne Milner 1 episode
Tasma Walton Belinda Harvey 1 episode
Tim Campbell Peter Kostos 1 episode
Tom Richards Dan Manning
Tony Bonner Warren / Doug 4 episodes
Tracy Mann Supt. Franklin 1 episode
Vanessa Downing Margaret Hobbs 1 episode
Victoria Longley Tracy Bennett 1 episode
Blake Power Jewish school child
Tom McCrickard Stringy Oscar

Season summaries

[edit]

Pilot

[edit]

The pilot of Water Rats screened in Australia at 8.30 pm on Monday, 12 February 1996. It was entitled "Dead in the Water" and was a two-part episode, concernimg a divorced man, deranged over the death of his daughter, who captures a Sydney Harbour ferry and holds the city to ransom.[1] "Dead in the Water" introduced viewers to Detective Senior Constables Frank Holloway (Colin Friels) and Rachel Goldstein (Catherine McClements).

Other characters

[edit]
  • Chief Inspector Clarke Webb (played by Bill Young)
  • Senior Sergeant Jeff Hawker (played by Peter Bensley)
  • Sergeant Helen Blakemore (played by Toni Scanlan)
  • Senior Sergeant Dave McCall (played by Scott Burgess)
  • Senior Constable Gavin Sykes (played by Brett Partridge)
  • Senior Constable Tommy Tavita (played by Jay Laga'aia)
  • Senior Constable Fiona Cassidy (played by Sophie Heathcote)
  • Senior Constable Terry Watson (played by Aaron Jeffery)
  • Detective Senior Sergeant John "Knocker" Harrison (played by Peter Mochrie)
  • Detective Senior Constable Kevin Holloway (played by Jeremy Callaghan)
  • David Goldstein (played by Treffyn Koreshoff)
  • Jonathon Goldstein (played by Steven Grivies)
  • Inspector Tony Brady (played by Richard Healy)
  • Prison Warden (played by Christopher Barry)

Season one

[edit]

Season one ran for 26 episodes.

Major storylines included

[edit]
  • Jonathon Goldstein (Steven Grivies) trying to deny Rachel (Catherine McClements) access to their young son, David (Treffyn Koreshoff).
  • Frank's (Colin Friels)' relationship with crime scene officer, Caroline Cox.
  • Helen's (Toni Scanlan)'s sexuality comes out in the open, particularly to Rachel (McClements), who seemed to be the only character who did not know Helen was gay.
  • The death and subsequent investigation of Frank's brother, Kevin (Jeremy Callaghan).
  • Rachel's (McClements)' relationship with Knocker (Peter Mochrie), which turned out to be a deadly one.
  • Clarke's (Bill Young's) affair and his subsequent resignation.
  • Frank (Friels) being investigated by Internal Affairs on two occasions.

Season two

[edit]

The second season of Water Rats ran, again, for 26 episodes and began airing on Monday, 10 February 1997. Season two also took the detectives to Melbourne, a change from Sydney Harbour. It also introduced a new character, Constable Tayler Johnson (Raelee Hill), as well as a few minor ones.

New characters

[edit]
  • Colin "Chopper" Lewis (played by Anthony Martin)
  • Senior Constable Sam Bailey (played by Kelly Dale)
  • Michael Jefferies (played by John Adam)
  • Gail Hawker (played by Anne Tenney)

Major storylines included

[edit]
  • Rachel's (McClements') relationship with the well-off Michael Jefferies (John Adam).
  • Jeff (Peter Bensley) becomes Chief Inspector.
  • Frank (Friels) once again, is investigated by I.A, but this time for a much more serious offence, murder.
  • Tayler (Raelee Hill), is Helen's niece.
  • Terry (Aaron Jeffery) is stabbed and decides to leave the Water Police.
  • Dave (Scott Burgess) is speared by spear gun and cannot continue diving.
  • Jeff (Peter Bensley) and his wife separate.

Season three

[edit]

Season three ran for 31 episodes and premiered on Monday, 9 February 1998. A couple of episodes into the season, it was moved to Tuesday nights. Steve Bisley is also added to the opening credits for a number of episodes near the end of the season.

New characters included

[edit]

Major storylines included

[edit]

Season four

[edit]

The fourth series began on Tuesday, 16 February 1999 and ran for 32 episodes. It was a series of change for Water Rats, which included both Colin Friels' and Catherine McClements' departures within 18 episodes of each other.

New characters included

[edit]
  • Detective Senior Constable Michael Reilly (Aaron Pedersen)
  • Gillian Swain (played by Liz Burch)
  • Suzi Abromavich (played by Roxane Wilson, who also appeared in one episode in series three)
  • Detective Senior Constable Alex St Clare (played by Dee Smart)

Major storylines included

[edit]

Season five

[edit]

The fifth season began airing on Tuesday, 22 February 2000, and ran for 36 episodes, the longest out of the six seasons of the show. Ratings began to fall slightly, as a result of McClements' departure the previous year. A number of regular characters also left, including Jay Laga'aia and Scott Burgess, whose character was not seen at all in series five, and his whereabouts was finally mentioned in series six.

New characters included

[edit]

Major storylines included

[edit]

Season six

[edit]

The sixth and final season of Water Rats began airing on Tuesday, 6 February 2001 and ran for 26 episodes. Sometime early in the season, the timeslot was changed from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The Nine Network decided to cancel the show, due to escalating costs and declining ratings, and two main stars, Steve Bisley and Dee Smart had decided to leave the show.

Notable new characters included

[edit]

Major storylines included

[edit]
  • Jack (Bisley) has a short relationship with Julia Goodwin (Josephine Byrnes).
  • Lance (Joss McWilliam) dies in a freak accident.
  • Sophie (Brooke Satchwell) begins her Police training.
  • The Water Police learn that Snr. Sgt. Dave McCall (Scott Burgess) has died.
  • Gavin (Brett Partridge) and Eva (Mouche Phillips) get married, and at the end of the series, have a baby.
  • Jack is shot in the very last episode, and though not known, probably dies, as Bisley was leaving the show if it did continue for another season.

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of Water Rats episodes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
1997 Logie Award Most Outstanding Actor Colin Friels Won
Most Outstanding Achievement in a Drama Production Water Rats Won
1998 Logie Award Most Outstanding Actor Colin Friels Nominated
Most Popular Actor Colin Friels Nominated
Most Popular Actress Catherine McClements Nominated
Most Outstanding Actress Catherine McClements Won
Most Popular Program Water Rats Nominated
Most Outstanding Drama Series Water Rats Nominated
AFI Awards Young Actor's Award Paul Pantano (for episode Romeo is Bleeding) Won
1999 Logie Awards Most Popular Actor Colin Friels Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor Colin Friels Nominated
People's Choice Award Favourite Actor in a Drama or Serial Colin Friels Won
Favourite Actress in a Drama or Serial Catherine McClements Nominated
Favourite TV Star Colin Friels Nominated
Favourite Drama or Serial Water Rats Nominated
AFI Award Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama Catherine McClements (for episode I'm Home) Nominated
Awgie Award Television - Series Peter Gawler (for episode Six Hundred Clear a Week) Won
2000 Logie Award Most Outstanding Actor in a Series Colin Friels Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor in a Series Steve Bisley Nominated
Most Outstanding Actress in a Series Catherine McClements Nominated
Most Popular Actor Colin Friels Nominated
Most Outstanding Drama Series Water Rats Nominated
2001 Awgie Award Television - Series John Banas (for episode Domino) Won
Television - Series Peter Gawler (for episode Hungry Bear Blues) Won
Logie Awards Most Outstanding Drama Series Water Rats Nominated
Most Outstanding Actor in a Series Steve Bisley Nominated

Filming locations

[edit]

Water Rats was filmed on and around Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. Other locations used throughout the series were:

Fictional locations

[edit]

The real Sydney Water Police headquarters was located at Pyrmont. The TV version of the Sydney Water Police headquarters was located on Goat Island, though the fictional address was 48/50 Harbour Drive, Sydney 2000. Other fictional locations throughout the series included:

  • Frank's House − The exterior was shot in The Rocks, but the interior was a set on Goat Island.
  • The Cutter Bar − A fictional pub, where the members of the Water Police liked to relax after a hard day at work (introduced in season two).
  • The Sydney Police Centre − Unlike some other police stations, the Water Police did not have their own holding cells, so offenders were taken to the SPC to be charged.
  • The Hospital
  • The Morgue − Early in the series, real morgues were used to film in. Eventually a set was built on Goat Island.
  • Rachel's house − A number of different exterior locations were used for Rachel's house, including Balmain, Birchgrove and Glebe.

Home media

[edit]

Water Rats was first released on DVD in 2004 through Shock Entertainment. It was released as two parts called Series 1 and Series 2, though it was actually only season 1 in two parts. Warner Vision Australia then released the rest of the show, where DVDs labelled series 3 were actually season 2 and so on. It was announced on 7 August 2017 that Via Vision Entertainment would re-release all six seasons on DVD on 22 November 2017. Several episodes are out of broadcast order in the Via Vision collection and on Amazon Prime.

DVDs

[edit]
Title Format No. of
episodes 		Discs Region 4 (Australia) DVD special features DVD distributors
Season One DVD Series 1, Episodes 1-13 3 8 March 2004 Selected Episodes Commentaries Shock Entertainment
Season Two DVD Series 1, Episodes 14-26 3 21 February 2005 Photo Gallery Shock Entertainment
Season Three Part 1 DVD Series 2, Episodes 1-14 4 Photo gallery Warner Vision Australia
Season Three Part 2 DVD Series 2, Episodes 15-26 3 None Warner Vision Australia
Season Four Part 1 DVD Series 3, Episodes 1-17 4 None Warner Vision Australia
Season Four Part 2 DVD Series 3, Episode 18-31 4 Photo gallery Warner Vision Australia
Season Five Part 1 DVD Series 4, Episodes 1-16 4 9 September 2006 None Warner Vision Australia
Season Five Part 2 DVD Series 4, Episodes 17-32 4 9 September 2006 Photo Gallery Warner Vision Australia
Season Six Part 1 DVD Series 5, Episodes 1-21 5 28 October 2006 None Warner Vision Australia
Season Six Part 2 DVD Series 5, Episodes 22-36 4 28 October 2006 Photo Gallery Warner Vision Australia
Season Seven Part 1 DVD Series 6, Episodes 1-12 3 28 October 2006 Photo Gallery Warner Vision Australia
Season Seven Part 2 DVD Series 6, Episodes 13-26 4 28 October 2006 None Warner Vision Australia
The Complete Series 1-6 DVD All 177 Episodes 45 22 November 2017 Commentaries On Selected Episodes.

Photo Galleries

Via Vision Entertainment
Water Rats: Collection One DVD Season 01, Episodes 1-26

Season 02, Episodes 01-26

Season 03, Episodes 01-31

Season 04, Episodes 01-32

24 11 April 2018 Commentaries On Selected Episodes.

Photo Galleries

Via Vision Entertainment
Water Rats: Collection Two DVD Season 05, Episodes 01-36

Season 06, Episodes 01-26

21 5 December 2018 Photo Galleries Via Vision Entertainment
Water Rats: The Complete Collection DVD All 177 Episodes 45 13 September 2023 Audio commentaries on selected episodes

Photo Galleries

Via Vision Entertainment

Online streaming availability

[edit]
Title Format Episodes # Year of Airing Streaming Status Distributors
Water Rats Season One Streaming Episodes 01-26 2019

2020

No longer Available

Currently Streaming

9Now

7plus

Water Rats Season Two Streaming Episodes 01-26 2019

2020

No longer Available

Currently Streaming

9Now

7plus

Water Rats Season Three Streaming Episodes 01-31 2019

2020

No longer Available

Currently Streaming

9Now

7plus

Water Rats Season Four Streaming Episodes 01-32 2019

2020

No longer Available

Currently Streaming

9Now

7plus

Water Rats Season Five Streaming Episodes 01-36 2019

2020

No longer Available

Currently Streaming

9Now

7plus

Water Rats Season Six Streaming Episodes 01-26 2019

2020

No longer Available

Currently Streaming

9Now

7plus

All episodes are available on Amazon Prime in Australia.

Soundtrack

[edit]

A Water Rats soundtrack was produced by Les Gock in 1999. It contained songs featured on the series, such as "Goldie's Theme" by Cathi Ogden (heard in many episodes, most notably episode 109) and "I'll Dream of You" by Hugh Wilson (heard in Frank's final episode). It also features a couple of songs sung by cast members: "Breathe" with Raelee Hill and "Let's Party" with Jay Laga'aia. The song "Breathe" was written by James Freud, who also sang in the chorus. The company Song Zu seems to want to have no affiliation with the soundtrack music and does not recognise nor acknowledge it on its current website. Secondhand copies of it can occasionally be found on auction sites and in secondhand music stores.

International broadcasting

[edit]

The series is currently[when?] being re-run in:

Notes

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ed. Scott Murray, Australia on the Small Screen 1970-1995, Oxford Uni Press, 1996 p161
[edit]
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