Water Rats (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Water Rats is an Australia
n TV police procedural
broadcast on the Nine Network
from 1996 to 2001. The series was based around the men and women of the Sydney
Water Police
who fight crime across 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, Bisley and Smart had also just quit the show, and the series had already been suffering a ratings battle following the departure of Friels and McClements in 1999.
The final episode was broadcast in Australia on 7 August 2001.
Along with:
and
Season one ran for 26 episodes and major storylines included:
, a change from Sydney harbour. It also introduced a new character, Constable Tayler Johnson, as well as a few minor ones, including:
Major storylines included:
Major storylines included:
Major storylines included:
Major storylines included:
Major storylines included:
in Sydney Harbour
. Other locations used throughout the series were:
. 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:
in 2004 through Shock Entertainment. It was released however, 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.
A Water Rats soundtrack was also 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 the late James Freud
who also sung in the chorus.
on Foxtel
's Hallmark Channel
. on RTÉ One
, Sunday and Monday Mornings. on Kanal9. on FX
. on City 7. on ICTV
.
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 TV police procedural
Police procedural
The police procedural is a subgenre of detective fiction which attempts to convincingly depict the activities of a police force as they investigate crimes. While traditional detective novels usually concentrate on a single crime, police procedurals frequently depict investigations into several...
broadcast on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
from 1996 to 2001. The series was based around the men and women of the 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...
Water Police
Water police
Water police, also called harbour patrols, port police, marine/maritime police, nautical patrols, bay constables or river police, are police officers, usually a department of a larger police organisation, who patrol in water craft...
who fight crime across Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
and surrounding locales. The show was set on and around Goat Island
Goat Island (Port Jackson)
Goat Island is a rocky island in Sydney Harbour, in New South Wales, Australia. The island is some 400 m by 200 m in size and is located north-west of the Sydney central business district....
in Sydney Harbour.
Water Rats premiered on 12 February 1996 and ran for six seasons and 177 episodes. Colin Friels
Colin Friels
-Background and training:Friels was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother was a mill worker and his father a joiner. He lived in Kilbirnie until 1963, when his family moved to Australia, arriving in Darwin, Northern Territory before settling in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows...
and Catherine McClements
Catherine McClements
Catherine McClements is an Australian actress.-Early life:Catherine is the third of four children, and after acting with the St Martin's Youth Arts Centre in Melbourne for a couple of years, she successfully auditioned for the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art when she was 17...
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
Steve Bisley
Steve Bisley is an Australian film and television actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art .-Acting career:...
, Aaron Pedersen
Aaron Pedersen
Aaron Pedersen is an Australian television and film actor of Arrente/Arabana Australian Aboriginal descent.-Career:Prior to Aaron's acting career, Aaron plied his trade as a journalist with ABC2 at Elsternwick studios in Melbourne....
and Dee Smart
Dee Smart
Dee Smart is an Australian actress best known for her roles as Lucinda Croft in Home and Away and Alex St. Clare in Water Rats. She appeared in Home And Away from 1991 to 1993 and in Water Rats from 2000 to 2001...
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, Bisley and Smart had also just quit the show, and the series had already been suffering a ratings battle following the departure of Friels and McClements in 1999.
The final episode was broadcast in Australia on 7 August 2001.
Cast
- Colin FrielsColin Friels-Background and training:Friels was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland. His mother was a mill worker and his father a joiner. He lived in Kilbirnie until 1963, when his family moved to Australia, arriving in Darwin, Northern Territory before settling in the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows...
as Det Snr Constable Frank HollowayFrank HollowayDetective Senior Constable Frank Holloway , born 25 June 1952, was a fictional character in the Australian police drama Water Rats who was portrayed by Colin Friels. Frank was one of the original characters in the series when it started in 1996...
(1996–1999) - Catherine McClementsCatherine McClementsCatherine McClements is an Australian actress.-Early life:Catherine is the third of four children, and after acting with the St Martin's Youth Arts Centre in Melbourne for a couple of years, she successfully auditioned for the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art when she was 17...
as Det Snr Constable Rachel GoldsteinRachel GoldsteinDetective Senior Constable Rachel Goldstein was a fictional character in the Australian police drama Water Rats. She and partner Frank Holloway were both the original main detectives at the Sydney Water Police...
(1996–1999) - Steve BisleySteve BisleySteve Bisley is an Australian film and television actor, who attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art .-Acting career:...
as Det Snr Con/Sgt Jack ChristeyJack ChristeyDetective Sergeant Jack Christey was a fictional character from the police series Water Rats. He was portrayed by Steve Bisley...
(1998–2001) - Aaron PedersenAaron PedersenAaron Pedersen is an Australian television and film actor of Arrente/Arabana Australian Aboriginal descent.-Career:Prior to Aaron's acting career, Aaron plied his trade as a journalist with ABC2 at Elsternwick studios in Melbourne....
as Det Snr Constable Michael Reilly (1999–2001) - Dee SmartDee SmartDee Smart is an Australian actress best known for her roles as Lucinda Croft in Home and Away and Alex St. Clare in Water Rats. She appeared in Home And Away from 1991 to 1993 and in Water Rats from 2000 to 2001...
as Det Snr Constable Alex St. ClareAlex St. ClareAlex St. Clare was a fictional character from the Australian police series Water Rats. She appeared on the show from 2000 to when it was cancelled in 2001. She was portrayed by actress Dee Smart. Even if the series continued after 2001, Alex wouldn't have appeared in it as Dee Smart was leaving...
(2000–2001)
Supporting cast
- Peter BensleyPeter BensleyPeter Bensley was an Australian "pin-up" actor of the 1980s.One of Bensley's earliest roles was as Dennis Braithwaite on the Seven Network drama series Class Of '74...
as Snr Sgt/Chief Insp Jeff Hawker (1996–2001) - Bill Young as Chief Insp Clarke Webb (1996 only)
- Jay Laga'aiaJay Laga'aiaJay Laga'aia is an actor and singer. He is best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.-Career:...
as Snr Constable Tommy Tavita (1996–2000) - Brett Partridge as Snr Constable Gavin Sykes (1996–2001)
- Toni ScanlanToni ScanlanToni Scanlan is an Australian actress best known for her role in the Australian television police drama Water Rats as Helen Blakemore. She is one of the only three actors to appear in the series from when it started to when it ended....
as Snr Sgt Helen Blakemore (1996–2001) - Scott BurgessScott Burgess (actor)Scott Burgess is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Dave McCall in police drama Water Rats from 1996-1999.In 2008, he told A Current Affair about the problems of his marriage, and how he was left to work in a boat yard...
as Snr Sgt Dave McCall (1996–1999) - Aaron JefferyAaron JefferyAaron C. Jeffery is a Logie Award winning New Zealand – Australian actor.-Early life:Born in Howick, Auckland, Jeffery moved to Australia at the age of 17 and studied acting at NIDA.-Career:...
as Constable Terry Watson (1996–1998) - Sophie HeathcoteSophie HeathcoteSophie Heathcote was an Australian actress.Heathcote was born in Melbourne. She began her acting career with a role in medical drama series A Country Practice as Stephanie "Steve" Brennan from 1990 to 1991...
as Constable Fiona Cassidy (1996–1997) - Raelee HillRaelee HillRaelee Hill is an Australian actress best known for her roles in some of her country's most successful television series...
as Constable Tayler Johnson (1997–1999) - Allison CratchleyAllison CratchleyAllison Cratchley in sydney's northern beaches to parents Kathryn and Noel Cratchley. The oldest of 3 children brother Noel jnr and sister sallyanne....
as Constable Emma Woods (1998–2001) - Diarmid HeidenreichDiarmid Heidenreich-Television career:Heidenreich began his television career in 1993, appearing in G. P. as a guest role. Over the next few years, he had guest roles in several drama series, including Echo Point and Big Sky . Heidenreich was also the host of the children's game show Challenger until he left the...
as Constable Matthew Quinn (2000–2001) - Rebecca SmartRebecca SmartRebecca Elizabeth Smart is an Australian actress born in Tamworth, Australia.Smart has performed in movies like The Coca-Cola Kid, Violet's Visit and Blackrock as well as television shows and miniseries like Elly & Jools, The Shiralee and Water Rats.She won the Most Popular Actress in a...
as Constable Donna Janevski (2000–2001)
Recurring roles
- Peter MochriePeter MochriePeter Mochrie is an actor who has appeared in various Australian television programs during his 25-year career. Since 2006 Mochrie has starred in the New Zealand soap Shortland Street as Dr Callum McKay....
as Detective Snr Sergeant John Harrison (22 episodes, 1996) - 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...
as Detective Snr Constable Kevin Holloway (10 episodes, 1996) - Richard Healy as Insp Tony Brady (14 episodes, 1996–1997)
- Treffyn Koreshoff as David Goldstein (16 episodes, 1996–1999)
- John Walton as John Walton (26 episodes, 1997–1999)
- Anthony Martin as Colin "Chopper" Lewis (44 episodes, 1997–2001)
- Brooke SatchwellBrooke SatchwellBrooke Kerith Satchwell is an Australian actress, model, and environmental spokesperson.-Early life:The first of two children of Andrew Satchwell, a real estate agent and Jane Satchwell, a school teacher. Satchwell has lived on the Mornington Peninsula for most of her life...
as Sophie Ferguson (20 episodes, 2000–2001) - Joss McWilliam as Sgt Lance Rorke (29 episodes, 2000–2001)
Season one
The first episode of Water Rats screened in Australia at 8.30pm 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
- Senior 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 MochriePeter MochriePeter Mochrie is an actor who has appeared in various Australian television programs during his 25-year career. Since 2006 Mochrie has starred in the New Zealand soap Shortland Street as Dr Callum McKay....
) - Detective Senior Constable Kevin Holloway (played by 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...
) - David Goldstein (played by Treffyn Koreshoff)
- Jonathon Goldstein (played by Steven Grives)
- Inspector Tony Brady (played by Richard Healy)
Season one ran for 26 episodes and major storylines included:
- 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.
- The death and subsequent investigation of Frank's brother, Kevin.
- Rachel's relationship with Knocker, which turned out to be a deadly one.
- Clarke's affair and his subsequent resignation.
- Frank being investigated by Internal Affairs on two occasions.
Season two
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 MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, a change from Sydney harbour. It also introduced a new character, Constable Tayler Johnson, as well as a few minor ones, including:
- Colin "Chopper" Lewis (played by Anthony Martin)
- Senior Constable Sam Bailey (played by Kelly Dale)
- Michael Jefferies (played by John AdamJohn Adam (actor)John Adam is an Australian actor, appearing frequently on television. He is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Senior Constable Nick Buchanan in the Channel 7 crime/drama City Homicide.- Filmography :*Home and Away*A Country Practice...
) - Gail Hawker (played by Anne TenneyAnne TenneyAnne Tenney is an Australian film and television actress, probably best known for her role as Molly Jones in the television drama A Country Practice and as Sal Kerrigan in The Castle.-Career:...
)
Major storylines included:
- 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.
Season three
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:- Constable Emma Woods
- Liz Robinson (played by Rebecca Hobbs)
- Detective Senior Constable Jack Christey
- Detective Sergeant Louise Bradshaw (played by 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...
) - Terry Madigan (played by Ritchie SingerRitchie SingerRitchie Singer is an Australian actor.Singer portrayed Executive Producer Richard Shapiro in the fictionalized 2005 American television movie/docudrama Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure, based on the creation and behind the scenes production of the 1980s prime time soap opera Dynasty...
)
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 standOne-night standOriginally, a one-night stand was a single theatre performance, usually by a guest performer on tour, as opposed to an ongoing engagement. Today, however, the term is more commonly defined as a single sexual encounter, in which neither participant has any intention or expectation of a relationship...
. - 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.
Season 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:- Detective Senior Constable Michael Reilly
- Detective Sergeant Jack Christey
- Gillian Swain (played by Liz BurchLiz BurchLiz Burch is an actress.-Biography:Her most high profile roles are in the television series The Flying Doctors as Dr. Chris Randall, and Liz Cameron in Cop Shop. Ms. Burch is also known for her role in the Disney TV series Five Mile Creek...
) - Suzi Abromavich (played by Roxane WilsonRoxane WilsonRoxane Wilson is an Australian actress best known for her roles in Water Rats, Stingers and The Alice. She was born in Durban, South Africa to an Italian Mother and an English Father. She lives in Los Angeles with her children.- Early life :...
, who also appeared in one episode in series three) - Detective Senior Constable Alex St Clare
Major storylines included:
- 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.
Season five
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 wasn't seen at all in series five, and his whereabouts was finally mentioned in series six. New characters included:- Senior Constable Matthew Quinn
- Constable Donna Janevski
- Sergeant Lance Rorke
- Sophie Ferguson
- Eva Minton (played by Mouche PhillipsMouche PhillipsMouche Phillips is an Australian actress best known as Viv Newton in Home and Away, and Eva Sykes in Water Rats.- TV :* East of Everything 11 Episodes.... as Sandy...
)
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.
Season six
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 8.30pm to 9.30pm. 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 season included:- Acting Inspector Julia Goodwin (played by Josephine Byrnes)
- Tom Christey (played by Bill HunterBill Hunter (actor)William John "Bill" Hunter was an Australian actor of film, stage and television. He appeared in more than 60 films and won two Australian Film Institute Awards.-Early life:Hunter was a son of William and Francie Hunter...
) - Sergeant Vanessa Simmons (played by Ingrid Ruz)
- Detective George Newhouse (played by Rodger CorserRodger CorserRodger Corser is an Australian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen in the Nine Network crime mini-series Underbelly, based on the Melbourne gangland killings, and Senior Seargent Lawson Blake in the Network Ten police drama series Rush.-Early...
)
Major storylines included:
- Jack has a short relationship with Julia Goodwin.
- Lance dies in a freak accident.
- Sophie begins her Police training.
- The Water Police learn that Snr. Sgt. Dave McCall has died.
- 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.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Logie Award Logie Award The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a... |
Most Outstanding Actor | Colin Friels | |
| Most Outstanding Achievement in a Drama Production | Water Rats | |||
| 1998 | Logie Award Logie Award The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a... |
Most Outstanding Actor | Colin Friels | |
| Most Popular Actor | Colin Friels | |||
| Most Popular Actress | Catherine McClements | |||
| Most Outstanding Actress | Catherine McClements | |||
| Most Popular Program | Water Rats | |||
| Most Outstanding Drama Series | Water Rats | |||
| AFI Awards | Young Actor's Award | Paul Pantano (for episode Romeo is Bleeding) | ||
| 1999 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Actor | Colin Friels | |
| Most Outstanding Actor | Colin Friels | |||
| People's Choice Award People's Choice Awards (Australia) -1999:Favourite TV Star-1999:Favourite TV Star-1999:Favourite TV Star:Winner:::Lisa McCune, Blue Heelers, Seven Network:Nominated:::Colin Friels, Water Rats, Nine Network::Rebecca Gibney, Halifax f.p., Nine Network... |
Favourite Actor in a Drama or Serial | Colin Friels | ||
| Favourite Actress in a Drama or Serial | Catherine McClements | |||
| Favourite TV Star | Colin Friels | |||
| Favourite Drama or Serial | Water Rats | |||
| AFI Award Australian Film Institute Awards The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,... |
Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama | Catherine McClements (for episode I'm Home) | ||
| Awgie Award AWGIE Awards The AWGIE Awards is an annual awards ceremony conducted by the Australian Writers' Guild, for excellence in screen, television, stage and radio writing. The awards began in 1967.... |
Television - Series | Peter Gawler (for episode Six Hundred Clear a Week) | ||
| 2000 | Logie Award Logie Award The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a... |
Most Outstanding Actor in a Series | Colin Friels | |
| Most Outstanding Actor in a Series | Steve Bisley | |||
| Most Outstanding Actress in a Series | Catherine McClements | |||
| Most Popular Actor | Colin Friels | |||
| Most Outstanding Drama Series | Water Rats | |||
| 2001 | Awgie Award AWGIE Awards The AWGIE Awards is an annual awards ceremony conducted by the Australian Writers' Guild, for excellence in screen, television, stage and radio writing. The awards began in 1967.... |
Television - Series | John Banas (for episode Domino) | |
| Television - Series | Peter Gawler (for episode Hungry Bear Blues) | |||
| Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Drama Series | Water Rats | ||
| Most Outstanding Actor in a Series | Steve Bisley | |||
Filming locations
Water Rats was filmed on and around Goat IslandGoat Island (Port Jackson)
Goat Island is a rocky island in Sydney Harbour, in New South Wales, Australia. The island is some 400 m by 200 m in size and is located north-west of the Sydney central business district....
in Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
. Other locations used throughout the series were:
- Shark Island
- Sydney Harbour BridgeSydney Harbour BridgeThe Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic...
− In the season three episode Epiphany, Matt Barnes took Rachel Goldstein and climbed the famous bridge for a negotiators exercise. - The Gap − A main storyline of season 1 was the murder of Frank's brother Kevin, who was thrown off The Gap.
- White Bay Power Station − Used a number of times, most notably, Catherine McClementsCatherine McClementsCatherine McClements is an Australian actress.-Early life:Catherine is the third of four children, and after acting with the St Martin's Youth Arts Centre in Melbourne for a couple of years, she successfully auditioned for the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art when she was 17...
' last episode A Day at the Office. - Fort Denison
- The RocksThe Rocks, New South WalesThe Rocks is an urban locality, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney's city centre, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district...
− Mainly used for external shots of Frank's house. - Middle HarbourMiddle HarbourMiddle Harbour is the northern arm of Port Jackson in Sydney, Australia.Middle Harbour extends about to the northwest, from where it joins the main harbour near the Heads. Its shore is nearly everywhere rugged, barren and forested and for this reason Middle Harbour was almost entirely neglected...
- Long Bay Correctional CentreLong Bay Correctional CentreLong Bay Correctional Complex is located in the suburb of Malabar in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Long Bay comprises six institutions, four maximum security and two minimum security.-History:...
- Australian Army Artillery MuseumAustralian Army Artillery MuseumThe Australian Army Artillery Museum was an artillery museum located in North Fort, on the northern head of the entrance to Sydney Harbour, in Sydney, Australia....
− During the season two final, Rachel and Frank search for killer Brian Atkins in the underground tunnels of the museum. - North HeadSydney HeadsSydney Heads , is the entrance to Port Jackson in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.North Head and Quarantine Head are to the north, South Head and Dunbar Head are to the south. Middle Head, Georges Head and Chowder Head are to the west and within the bay...
- Middle Head FortificationsMiddle Head FortificationsThe Middle Head Fortification is located at the end of Old Fort Road, Middle Head, Mosman, New South Wales. The fortifications at Middle Head formed part of Sydney Harbour's defences.-History:The fortifications were built between 1870 and 1911....
- MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
− In season two, Rachel and Frank travelled to Melbourne to investigate a murder.
Fictional locations
The real Sydney Water Police headquarters was located at PyrmontPyrmont
Pyrmont may refer to:* Bad Pyrmont, a spa town in northern Germany* Pyrmont, Indiana, United States* Pyrmont, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia* Pyrmont Bridge is a landmark connecting Pyrmont, NSW to Sydney in Australia...
. 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 RocksThe Rocks, New South WalesThe Rocks is an urban locality, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney's city centre, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district...
, 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 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.
- Rachel's house − A number of different exterior locations were used for Rachel's house, including BalmainBalmain, New South WalesBalmain is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located slightly west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
, BirchgroveBirchgrove, New South WalesBirchgrove is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Birchgrove is located 5 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
and GlebeGlebe, New South WalesGlebe is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Glebe is located 3 km south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney, in the Inner West region....
.
DVD & Soundtrack Releases
Water Rats was first released on DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in 2004 through Shock Entertainment. It was released however, 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.
A Water Rats soundtrack was also produced by Les Gock
Les Gock
Les Gock originally came to prominence when he joined the Australian band Hush in 1972. As well as being a guitarist, Gock was also a writer and co-producer, receiving 12 gold records during his time with the band...
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
Raelee Hill
Raelee Hill is an Australian actress best known for her roles in some of her country's most successful television series...
and Let's Party with Jay Laga'aia
Jay Laga'aia
Jay Laga'aia is an actor and singer. He is best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in the films Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.-Career:...
. The song Breathe, was written by the late James Freud
James Freud
James Randall Freud was an Australian rock musician-songwriter. He was a member of Models during the 1980s and wrote their two most popular singles, "Barbados" and "Out of Mind, Out of Sight"....
who also sung in the chorus.
International Broadcasting
The series is currently being re-run in...on Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
's Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel (Australia)
The Universal Channel is an Australian cable and satellite television channel, owned and operated by NBC Universal Global Networks...
. on RTÉ One
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...
, Sunday and Monday Mornings. on Kanal9. on FX
FX (UK)
FX is a television channel in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, owned by Fox, launched in 12 January 2004. It was originally branded as FX289 in reference to its Sky EPG number. It was rebranded to FX in May 2005 as the channel moved in the Sky EPG.FX targets a demographic between 25...
. on City 7. on ICTV
ICTV
ICTV can stand for*International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, a taxonomic organisation and the nomenclature code it produces*ICTV , a content distribution network for delivering the web-media experience through television...
.