Police Rescue
Encyclopedia
Police Rescue was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
series which originally aired on ABC TV
ABC1
ABC1 was a United Kingdom based television channel from Disney using the branding of the Disney owned American network, ABC.The channel initially launched exclusively on the British digital terrestrial television platform Freeview on 27 September 2004. On 10 December 2004 it was launched on...
between 1989 and 1996. It was produced by ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
and Southern Star Xanadu in association with the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
Apart from the 61 episodes, there was a 90-minute pilot episode
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
(first screened in 1989) as well as a feature film in 1994, starring Zoe Carides
Zoe Carides
Zoe Carides is an Australian film and television actress who is best known for her roles in the television series G. P. as Dr. Sonia Kapek and Grass Roots as Liz Murray. Carides was born in Sydney, Australia.-Family:...
.
The series dealt with the New South Wales Police Rescue Squad
State Protection Group
The State Protection Group is part of the Specialist Operations division of the New South Wales Police Force, having been established in 1991 to deal with extraordinary policing responses. The SPG directly supports police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical,...
based in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and their work attending to various incidents from road accidents to train crashes. The show was very well received for the first four series, however a decline in ratings by the commencement of the 1996 series saw the cancellation of the show, following an almost epitaph
Epitaph
An epitaph is a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial...
in the final three episodes.
Police Rescue was shown in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and aired on Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
, in parts of Italy as Polizia Squadra Soccorso on T9, in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
on TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
as Sydney Police, in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on VOX as Police Rescue – Gefährlicher Einsatz, in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
on the United Kingdom-based TV3
TV3 (Viasat)
TV3 is the brand name used by Viasat's flagship channels in Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and Slovenia. Viasat is part of the Swedish media company Modern Times Group...
, and in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
on RTÉ
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is the flagship television channel of Raidió Teilifís Éireann , and it is the most popular and most watched television channel in Ireland. It was launched as Telefís Éireann on 31 December 1961, it was renamed RTÉ Television in 1966, and it was renamed as RTÉ One upon the launch of RTÉ...
.
Major cast
- Sergeant Steve "Mickey" McClintock - (Gary SweetGary SweetGary Sweet is an Australian film and television actor known for his roles in Alexandra's Project , Police Rescue, Cody, Big Sky, The Battlers, Bodyline and Stingers....
) (1989–1996) - Senior Constable/Sergeant Georgia Rattray - (Sonia ToddSonia ToddSonia Todd is an Australian actress.She studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and starred in Strictly Ballroom, directed by Baz Luhrmann...
) (1989–1996) - Constable/Senior Constable Yiannis "Angel" Angelopoulos - (Steve BastoniSteve BastoniSteve Bastoni is an Italian Australian actor. He is best known for his role in Police Rescue as Constable Yannis 'Angel' Angelopoulos and as Steve Parker in Neighbours.-Television:...
) (1990–1996) - Senior Sergeant Peter "Ridgy" Ridgeway - (Tim McKenzie) (1989–1990)
- Inspector Bill Adams - (John ClaytonJohn Clayton (actor)John Clayton was an Australian actor.He was best known for his television work, with credits including: Division 4, Rush, The Outsiders, Chopper Squad, A Country Practice, The Flying Doctors, E Street, Police Rescue, Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Wildside, Farscape, Grass Roots and All...
) (1989–1996) - Sergeant Fred "Frog" Catteau - (Marshall NapierMarshall NapierMarshall James Napier is a New Zealand-born actor. He is the father of actress Jessica Napier and the uncle of actor James Napier.Before becoming an actor, Napier worked variously as an art student, factory worker and truck driver...
) (1989–1992) - Constable Trevor "Sootie" Coledale - (Peter Browne) (1989–1990)
- Constable Percy "Ptomaine" Warren - (Doug Scroope) (1989–1993)
- Senior Sergeant Kevin "Nipper" Harris - (Steve BisleySteve BisleySteve Bisley is an Australian film and television actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art .-Acting career:...
) (1992–1995) - Sharyn Elliott - (Belinda CotterillBelinda CotterillBelinda Cotterill is an Australian actress.-Biography:Born in Australia, Belinda Cotterill Attended Chris King's Young Talent School in Gosford, and after went on to acting in TV shows such as Police Rescue and All Saints. In 2009, she featured in the film Bad Bush, as Maggie.-Filmography:-...
) (1992–1994, 1996) - Constable Kathy Orland - (Tammy MacIntoshTammy MacIntoshTammy MacIntosh is an Australian actress. She is best known for portraying Dr. Charlotte Beaumont on the medical drama All Saints.-Career:...
) (1992–1995) - Constable Brian Morley - (Jeremy CallaghanJeremy CallaghanJeremy Callaghan is an Australian actor whose portrayal of the cute and shy Constable Brian Morley on the popular TV drama Police Rescue ensured international attention...
) (1992–1995) - Senior Sergeant Glenn "Spider" Webb - (Frank HoldenFrank HoldenFrank Holden, also known as Frankie J. Holden, , is an Australian singer and actor. In the 1970s, he fronted, Ol' 55 which had a hit with "On the Prowl" from their debut album, Take It Greasy which peaked at number three on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart in 1976...
) (1994–1996) - Anastasia Skouras - (Ada NicodemouAda NicodemouAda Nicodemou is a Greek Cypriot-born Australian actress, best known for her role as Leah Patterson-Baker in the soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:Nicodemou was born in Larnaca, Cyprus. She has been an Australian resident since 1987....
) (1994–1995) - Constable Joe Cardillo - (Salvatore CocoSalvatore Coco-Biography:Coco was born in Sydney and is of Sicilian descent. He performed with Australian Theatre for Young People where he developed his talents in acting, singing, guitar, dance and cabaret. He is also a qualified chef.-Career:...
) (1995–1996) - Constable Tracy Davis - (Leah PurcellLeah PurcellLeah Purcell is an Australian actor, director and writer.-Biography:She is a film, television and theatre actor, singer, director and playwright. She is the youngest of seven children of Aboriginal and white Australian descent. Her father was a butcher and a boxing trainer...
) (1995–1996) - Constable Lorrie "Flash" Gordon (Zoe CaridesZoe CaridesZoe Carides is an Australian film and television actress who is best known for her roles in the television series G. P. as Dr. Sonia Kapek and Grass Roots as Liz Murray. Carides was born in Sydney, Australia.-Family:...
) (1994 feature film)
Recurring minor cast
- Bronwyn Catteau (Deborah KennedyDeborah KennedyDeborah Kennedy is an Australian actress recognised for several television and film roles, and for her appearance in an advertisement.Kennedy began her acting career on the stage, with the Marian Street Theatre, Killara, appearing in The Trojan Woman and Macbeth...
) (1990–1992) - Des McClintock (Kerry ArmstrongKerry ArmstrongKerry Michelle Armstrong is an Australian actress on film, television, and stage. She is one of only two actresses to win two Australian Film Institute Awards in the same year...
) (1990–1991) - Maria Mellick (Debbie Byrne) (1990–1992)
- Tony Fuller (NARC detective) (Harold HopkinsHarold HopkinsHarold Horace Hopkins FRS was a renowned British physicist. His Wave Theory of Aberrations, , is central to all modern optical design and provides the mathematical analysis which enables the use of computers to create the wealth of high quality lenses available today...
) (1990–1992) - Helena Angelopoulos (Gia CaridesGia CaridesGia Carides is an Australian actress. She is best known for her portrayals of Liz Holt in Strictly Ballroom, Susy Connor in Brilliant Lies, and Cousin Nikki in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.-Early life:...
) (1992–1993) - David Goldberg (Lani John TupuLani TupuLani Tupu is a classically trained actor. He was educated at Rongotai College and Wellington Teacher's Training College. He was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council Bursary in 1977 to enter New Zealand Drama School, where he graduated in 1978...
) (1992) - Constable Lohmeier (Daniel Rigney) (1993)
Pilot (1989)
In mid-1989, Southern Star Xanadu broadcast the pilot episode of Police Rescue via the Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. The 90-minute telemovie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
established the background of the protagonist of the series, Sergeant "Mickey" McClintock. Several issues were raised in the pilot, such as women's discrimination, sexism, and street violence. The plot evolved around the entrance of the first woman member to the Police Rescue Squad, Constable Georgia Rattray and then the search for a missing boy in Sydney's sewer system.
The telemovie was well received and spawned the series of Police Rescue, which carried on shortly after the pilot.
Series 1 (1991)
For the first thirteen episodes, Police Rescue sustained the same cast as the 1989 pilot, with the addition of Constable Yiannis "Angel" Angelopoulos, who would stay with the show for the duration. This series also allowed the character of Constable Percy "Ptomaine" Warren to have a most active role, especially in the episodes LPG and The Cosmic Lightbeam. For the subsequent series, Ptomaine had relatively minor roles. In addition, this series was the only one to portray Mickey McClintock's wife, Des, played by Kerry ArmstrongKerry Armstrong
Kerry Michelle Armstrong is an Australian actress on film, television, and stage. She is one of only two actresses to win two Australian Film Institute Awards in the same year...
. The episodes are as follows:
- Mates
- Angel After Hours
- LPG
- The Cosmic Lightbeam
- Mad Dog
- Saturday Night
- Reunion With Snake
- Raid
- One for Dad
- Hostage
- Up a Tree
- Saving The Princess
- By the Book
Series 2 (1992)
The character of Sergeant Fred "Frog" Catteau departed the show following the episode Judgement Day. The following episode, Stakeout, saw the introduction of Constable Brian Morley. Special guest stars in this series included Russell CroweRussell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
in The Right Stuff and Rebecca Cartwright in Reasons to Live. Although not explicitly explained, Georgia Rattray achieved promotion in this series from 1st Class Constable to Senior Constable to replace the position (in the squad) of Constable Trevor "Sootie" Coledale (Series 1). It was also not explained in the show why Constable Trevor "Sootie" Coledale and Senior Sergeant Peter "Ridgy" Ridgeway had departed. The commencement of the second series had Senior Sergeant Kevin "Nipper" Harris replacing Ridgy, with Nipper remaining with the show until halfway through Series 4. This was also the case for the new characters of Constable Kathy Orland and Brian Morley.
The episodes of Series 2 are as follows:
- The Right Stuff
- Off the Track
- The Hard Way
- The Big Canary
- Judgement Day
- Stakeout
- Sugar
- With a Vengeance
- Reasons to Live
- From This Day Forward
- Angel's Devils
- The Real Meaning
- Heartbeat
Series 3 (1993)
This series saw the continuation of the cast from the end of Series 2. In addition, there was an increase of guest stars; some of which were relatively unknown at the original time of broadcast. Stars included Cate BlanchettCate Blanchett
Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress. She came to international attention for her role as Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 biopic film Elizabeth, for which she won British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Golden Globe Awards, and earned her first Academy Award...
in The Loaded Boy, Jeffrey Walker
Jeffrey Walker
Jeffrey Walker is a bass guitarist and vocalist from Windle, St Helens, UK. He is best known for his work with the death metal / grindcore band Carcass for which he is also the main lyricist. Before Carcass, he played in the punk band the Electro Hippies. After the demise of Carcass, he went on to...
in Rush Hour, Frankie J Holden in Good Buddy and Martin Sacks
Martin Sacks
Martin Colin Sacks is an award-winning Australian actor, chiefly known for his 12-year role on Blue Heelers from 1993–2005.-Career:...
in
Prodigal Daughter. Viewers also saw the last of Angel's wife in On a Roll, despite her mentioning later on in the series. This series also showed the pinnacle of Mickey and Georgia's relationship.
Episodes of Series 3 include:
- Lifeline
- Wild Goose Chase
- On a Roll
- Prodigal Daughter
- The Loaded Boy
- Good Buddy
- Rush Hour
- Speeding
- Lift Sixteen
- Whirlwind
- Cold Snap
- Double Illusion
- The Last to Know
Series 4 (1995)
Nipper departed from the series following the episode Wrong Side of the Road in order to spend more time with his family and take over on his sister's farm. The position was filled by Senior Sergeant Glenn "Spider" Webb, a replacement which has often been described as the "beginning of the end" of Police Rescue. Sharyn, the receptionist, was also temporarily replaced without explanation by Anastasia Skouras (Ada NicodemouAda Nicodemou
Ada Nicodemou is a Greek Cypriot-born Australian actress, best known for her role as Leah Patterson-Baker in the soap opera Home and Away.-Early life:Nicodemou was born in Larnaca, Cyprus. She has been an Australian resident since 1987....
), who seemed to play an almost identical role to Sharyn. This was also the final series for characters Kathy and Brian, with a highly dramatic departure at the end of the episode Wild Card. Special guests included Judith McGrath
Judith McGrath
Judith McGrath is an Australian actress. She spent many of her formative years training at Brisbane Arts Theatre and was a company member of Twelfth Night Theatre under theatre director, Joan Whalley....
in Wrong Side of the Road as well as Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto
Miranda Otto is an Australian actress. The daughter of actors Lindsay and Barry Otto and the sister of actress Gracie Otto, she began acting at age eighteen, and has performed in a variety of independent and major studio films....
and Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem
Delta Lea Goodrem is an Australian singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress. Signed to Sony at the age of 15, Goodrem rose to prominence in 2002, starring in the Australian soap opera Neighbours as Nina Tucker. Goodrem has achieved eight number-one singles and three number-one albums in her home...
in On the Outer. The episodes for Series 4 are as follows:
- On the Outer
- Conduct Endangering Life
- Wrong Side of the Road
- Something's Got to Give
- Guardian Angel
- Double Jeopardy
- Crossing the Line
- Damage Control
- Public Mischief
- Breaking Strain
- The Sharp End
- Rescue Me
- Wild Card
Series 5 (1996)
The final series had only nine episodes, in comparison to the thirteen of the previous four series. With brand new cast members to fill the roles of the two junior squad members, the series began to take a new direction, adopting an almost soap operaSoap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
style of show . The final three episodes acted as an epitaph for the major cast members, with the final episode acting as the final word of Police Rescue.
The episodes of this series include:
- The Ultimate
- Nobby's Place
- The Getting of Wisdom
- The River
- The Ship
- Flash the Descent
- The Holliman Kid
- Tomorrow Never Knows
- The Only Constant
Video and DVD releases
In 1993, ABC TelevisionABC Television
ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
released selected episodes from Series 1 and Series 2 on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
format. The 1989 pilot episode was released the previous year.
In early November 2006, WarnerVision announced the release of complete Series 1. In Australia it was released on the 24 November 2006. The four disc "collector's box set" included all thirteen episodes from Series 1, including the 90-minute pilot episode as bonus material. Series 2 and 3 were released on 9 April 2007. They contain episodes 14 to 39, devoid of any bonus features or extras. Series 4 and 5 were released in a two part DVD set on 9 July 2007.