Water Rats
Created by	John Hugginson and Tony Morphett
Starring	Colin Friels Catherine McClements Toni Scanlan Steve Bisley Peter Bensley Jay Laga'aia. For other cast members, see Cast below
Country of origin	Australia
No. of episodes	177
Production
Producer(s)	Hal McElroy and Ted Roberts
Running time	approx. 45 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Nine Network
Original run	12 February 1996 – 7 August 2001
External links
IMDb profile

Water Rats was an Australian TV police drama broadcast on the Nine Network from 1996 to 2001. The series was based around the men and women of the Sydney Water Police who fought crime across Sydney Harbour and surrounding locales. The show was set on and around Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Tony Morphett (born: 10 March 1938 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) created many Australian television series, including: Sky Trackers, Blue Heelers, Stingers, Water Rats, Above the Law and Sea Patrol. ... Colin Friels (b. ... Catherine McClements (born 1965 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian actress and NIDA graduate. ... Toni Scanlan is an Australian actress best known for her role in the Australian TV Series Water Rats as Helen Blakemore. ... Steve Bisley (born 1951 at Lake Munmorah, New South Wales, Australia), is a well-known Australian actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art. ... Peter Bensley (born 1954 in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia) was an Australian pin up actor of the 1970s. ... Jay Lagaaia (born September 10, 1963 in Auckland, New Zealand) is an actor. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Ted Roberts is an Australian television scriptwriter and supervising producer. ... The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney. ... See TV (disambiguation) for other uses and Television (band) for the rock band European networks National In much of Europe television broadcasting has historically been state dominated, rather than commercially organised, although commercial stations have grown in number recently. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... An NYPD boat on patrol in New York Harbor A Metropolitan Police launch on the River Thames in London A Chicago Police Department boat on Lake Michigan Water police, also called harbour patrols, port police, marine police, or river police, are police officers, usually a department of a larger police... Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge located on Port Jackson Port Jackson is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia, also known as Sydney Harbour and is the largest natural harbour in the world. ... Goat Island from Balmain Goat Island is a rocky island in Sydney Harbour, in New South Wales, Australia. ...

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. February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Colin Friels (b. ... Catherine McClements (born 1965 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian actress and NIDA graduate. ... This article is about the year. ... Steve Bisley (born 1951 at Lake Munmorah, New South Wales, Australia), is a well-known Australian actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art. ... Aaron Pedersen (born November 24, 1970) is an Australian actor of Arrente/Arabana descent. ... Dee Smart is an Australian actress best known for her roles as Lucinda Croft in Home And Away and Alex St. ...

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, Bisley and Smart had also just quit the show, and the series had already been suffering a ratings battle following the departure Friels and McClements in 1999.

The final episode was broadcast on 7 August 2001. is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Series is currently being re-run in Australia on Pay TV on the Hallmark Channel The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts in over 100 countries. ...

Cast

See also: List of Water Rats characters

• Colin Friels as Det Snr Constable Frank Holloway (1996-1999)
• Catherine McClements as Det Snr Constable Rachel Goldstein (1996-1999)
• Steve Bisley as Det Sgt Jack Christey (1999-2001)
• Aaron Pedersen as Det Snr Constable Micheal Rielly (1999-2001)
• Dee Smart as Det Snr Constable Alex St. Clare (2000-2001)

The following is a list of characters from the television series Water Rats. ... Colin Friels (b. ... See also:List of Water Rats characters Detective Senior Constable Frank Holloway (Francis James Holloway) was a fictional character in the Australian police drama Water Rats. ... Catherine McClements (born 1965 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian actress and NIDA graduate. ... See also: List of Water Rats characters Detective Senior Constable Rachel Goldstein was a fictional character in the Australian police drama Water Rats. ... Steve Bisley (born 1951 at Lake Munmorah, New South Wales, Australia), is a well-known Australian actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art. ... Detective Sergeant Jack Christey (John Edward Christey) was a fictional character from the police series Water Rats. ... Aaron Pedersen (born November 24, 1970) is an Australian actor of Arrente/Arabana descent. ... Detective Senior Constable Micheal Reilly (Michael Lionel Reilly) was a fictional character from the Australian police drama Water Rats. ... Dee Smart is an Australian actress best known for her roles as Lucinda Croft in Home And Away and Alex St. ... Alex St. ...

Supporting Cast

• Peter Bensley as Snr Sgt/Chief Insp Jeff Hawker (1996-2001)
• Bill Young as Chief Insp Clarke Webb (1996 only)
• Jay Laga'aia as Snr Constable Tommy Tavita (1996-2000)
• Brett Partridge as Snr Constable Gavin Sykes (1996-2001)
• Toni Scanlan as Snr Sgt Helen Blakemore (1996-2001)
• Scott Burgess as Sgt Dave McCall (1996-2000)
• Aaron Jeffery as Constable Terry Watson (1996-1998)
• Sophie Heathcote as Constable Fiona Cassidy (1996-1997)
• Raelee Hill as Constable Tayler Johnson (1997-1999)
• Allison Cratchley as Constable Emma Woods (1998-2001)
• Anthony Martin as Colin "Chopper" Lewis (1997-2001)
• Diarmid Heidenreich as Constable Matthew Quinn (2000-2001)
• Brooke Satchwell as Sophie Ferguson (2000-2001)
• Joss McWilliam as Sgt Lance Rorke (2000-2001)
• Rebecca Smart as Constable Donna Janevski (2000-2001)
• Treffyn Koreshoff as David Goldstein(1996-1999)

Peter Bensley (born 1954 in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia) was an Australian pin up actor of the 1970s. ... The following is a list of characters from the television series Water Rats. ... Charles William Bill Young, also known as C.W. Bill Young, (born December 16, 1930), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1971, representing the 10th District of Florida (map). ... Jay Lagaaia (born September 10, 1963 in Auckland, New Zealand) is an actor. ... Gavin Sykes is a fictional character from the Australian police series Water Rats. ... Toni Scanlan is an Australian actress best known for her role in the Australian TV Series Water Rats as Helen Blakemore. ... The following is a list of characters from the television series Water Rats. ... Aaron C. Jeffery (born 1970 in Howick, Auckland) is a Logie Award winning actor from New Zealand. ... Sophie Heathcote (December 25, 1975 - January 5, 2006) was an Australian actor. ... Raelee Hill Raelee Hill (born October 24, 1972 in Brisbane, Australia), is a flame-haired and freckled Australian actress best-known for her roles in some of her countrys most successful television series. ... Allison Cratchley is an Australian actor most known for his work as Dr. Zoe Gallagher on All Saints, an Australian hospital drama. ... The following is a list of characters from the television series Water Rats. ... Brooke Kerith Satchwell (born November 14, 1980 in Melbourne) is an Australian actress best known for playing Anne Wilkinson in the soap opera Neighbours. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The following is a list of characters from the television series Water Rats. ...

Series Summaries

Series One

The first episode of Water Rats screened in Australia on Monday 12 February 1996. It was entitled 'Dead in the Water' and was a two-part episode. 'Dead in the Water' introduced viewers to Detective Senior Constable's Frank Holloway and Rachel Goldstein.

Along with:

• Chief Inspector Clarke Webb
• Senior Sergeant Jeff Hawker
• Sergeant Helen Blakemore
• Sergeant Dave McCall
• Senior Constable Gavin Sykes
• Senior Constable Tommy Tavita
• Senior Constable Fiona Cassidy
• Senior Constable Terry Watson

and

• 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 Grives)
• Inspector Tony Brady (played by Richard Healy)

Series one ran for 26 episodes long and major storylines included: Peter Mochrie (born Sydney, New South Wales, Australia-March 23, 1958) has enjoyed great success as one of Australias leading actors. ... Jeremy Callaghan (born July 27, 1967 in Papua New Guinea) is an Australian actor whose portrayal of the cute and shy Constable Brian Morley on the popular TV drama Police Rescue ensured international attention. ...

• Jonathon Goldstein trying to deny Rachel access to their young son, David.
• Frank's relationship with crime scene officer, Caroline Cox.
• Helen's sexuality comes out in the open, particularly to Rachel, who seemed to be the only character who didn't know Helen was gay.
• Rachel's relationship with Knocker, which turned out to be a deadly one.
• Clarke's affair and his subsequent sacking.
• Frank being investigated by Internal Affairs on two occasions.

Series Two

The second series of Water Rats ran, again, for 26 episodes and began airing on Monday 10 February 1997. Series two also took the detective's to Melbourne, a change from the harbour. It also introduced a new character, as well as a few minor ones, including: is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ...

• Constable Tayler Johnson
• 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: Anne Tenney (born 1954 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is an actress. ...

• Rachel's relationship with the well-off Michael Jefferies.
• Jeff becomes Chief Inspector.
• Frank once again, is investigated by I.A, but this time for a much more serious offence, murder.
• Tayler is Helen's niece.
• Terry is stabbed and decides to leave the Water Police.
• Dave is speared by spear gun and cannot continue diving.
• Jeff and his wife separate.

Series Three

Series three ran for 31 episodes and premiered on Monday 9 February 1998, and a couple of episodes into the season, was moved to Tuesday nights. Steve Bisley is also added to the opening credits for a number of episodes near the end of the series. New characters included: is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Constable Emma Woods
• Liz Robinson (played by Rebecca Hobbs)
• Detective Senior Constable Jack Christey
• Detective Sergeant Louise Bradshaw (played by Sonia Todd)
• Terry Madigan (played by Ritchie Singer)

Major storylines included:

• Frank getting back together (for a while) with his ex-wife Liz.
• Rachel and tough-talking detective Jack Christey have a one-night stand.
• Tayler is shot.
• Rachel works with Tommy on a number of occasions, while Frank is away.
• Frank's relationship with undercover cop Louise ends tragically when she is shot dead.
• Helen is promoted to Senior Sergeant.

Look up one-night stand in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Series Four

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. It introduced some new and old characters such as: February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Detective Senior Constable Michael Reilly
• Detective Sergeant Jack Christey
• 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

Major storylines included: Liz Burch (born 18 October 1954 in Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia) is an actress. ...

• Helen's relationship with lawyer, Gillian Swain.
• Michael Reilly, from VIP security, becomes the third detective.
• Frank leaves the Water Police, sailing to Venezuela.
• Jack replaces Frank and his relationship with Rachel gets off to a rocky start.
• Jack is promoted to Detective Sergeant.
• David is kidnapped.
• Rachel and Jack start their relationship again.
• Rachel is stabbed, and dies in Jack's arms.
• Jeff and his wife get a divorce.
• Tayler leaves the Water Police, joining Pol-Air.
• Alex St Clare replaces Rachel.

Series Five

The fifth series of Water Rats began airing on Tuesday 22 February 2000, and ran for 36 episodes, the longest out of the six series 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 wasn't seen at all in series five, and his whereabouts was finally mentioned in series six. New characters included: is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Senior Constable Matthew Quinn
• Constable Donna Janevski
• Sergeant Lance Rorke
• Sophie Ferguson
• Eva Minton (played by Mouche Phillips)

Major storylines included:

• Tommy leaves the Water Police and goes on long-service leave.
• Jack finds out he has an 18-year-old daughter named Sophie.
• Mick asks Alex out on a date.
• Gavin meets Eva.
• Jack remembers Rachel on the one year anniversary of her death.

Series Six

The sixth and final series of Water Rats began airing on Tuesday 6 February 2001 and ran for 26 episodes. The Nine Network decided to cancel the show, due to escalating costs and falling ratings, and two main stars, Bisley and Smart had decided to leave the show. Notable new characters in the final series included: is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Acting Inspector Julia Goodwin (played by Josephine Byrnes)
• Tom Christey (played by Bill Hunter)
• Sergeant Vanessa Simmons (played by Ingrid Ruz)
• George Newhouse (played by Rodger Corser)

Major storylines included: Bill Hunter (born February 27, 1940) is one of Australias acting legends, having worked with almost every notable Australian director and actor of the last thirty years - evidence of his genuine popularity amongst the public and acting fraternity alike. ... Rodger Corser played photographer Adam Logan in Australian television series Last Man Standing. ...

• Jack has a short relationship with Julia Goodwin.
• Lance dies in a freak accident.
• Sophie begins her Police training.
• The Rats learn that a former colleague, Dave, is dead.
• Gavin and Eva 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 Steve Bisley was leaving the show if it did continue for another season.

Filming Locations

Water Rats was filmed on and around Goat Island in Sydney Harbour. Other locations used throughout the series were: Goat Island from Balmain Goat Island is a rocky island in Sydney Harbour, in New South Wales, Australia. ... Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge located on Port Jackson Port Jackson is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia, also known as Sydney Harbour and is the largest natural harbour in the world. ...

• Shark Island
• Sydney Harbour Bridge - in episode 'Epiphany', Matt Barnes took Rachel Goldstein and climbed the famous bridge for a negotiators exercise.
• The Gap
• White Bay Power Station - used a number of times, most notably, Catherine McClements' last episode 'A Day at the Office'.

Shark Island is an island in Sydney Harbour, Australia. ... The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the main crossing of Sydney Harbour carrying rail, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. ... The Gap is a spectacular ocean cliff, in eastern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. ... The White Bay Power Station is a decommissioned industrial site at the base of the Balmain Peninsula. ... Catherine McClements (born 1965 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) is an Australian actress and NIDA graduate. ...

Fictional Locations

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 locations throughout the series included: Pyrmont may be a reference to: Pyrmont, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. ...

• Frank's House - Exterior shots were set in The Rocks, but the interior of the house was filmed on the 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 2).
• The Sydney Police Centre - Unlike some other police stations, the Water Police didn't 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.

George Street, the main street of The Rocks The Rocks is a tourist precinct and historic area near the central business district (CBD) of Sydney, Australia. ...

DVD Releases

Water Rats was first released on DVD in 2004 through Shock Entertainment. It was released however, as two parts called Series 1 and Series 2, though it was actually only Series 1 in two parts. Warner Vision Australia then released the rest of the show, where DVDs labelled series 3 were actually series 2 and so on. Size comparison: A 12 cm Sony DVD+RW and a 19 cm Dixon Ticonderoga pencil. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• external link to DVDs - Water Rats at EzyDVD

Trivia

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. The Australian National Film and Sound Archive preserves and shares Australias moving images and sound recordings from the countrys first film images to the modern classics. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...

• see National Archives of Australia

The National Archives of Australia building on Queen Victoria Terrace in Canberra, May 2007. ...

See also

• List of Australian television series
• List of Nine Network programs

This is a list of Australian television series and television programs. ... The following are programs that have been, currently, or are soon to be broadcast by the Nine Network and its regional affiliates. ...

External links

• Water Rats at the Internet Movie Database
• Water Rats at TV.com
• Water Rats
• Water Rats
• Water Rats Fan Forum
• Water Rats at the National Film and Sound Archive