Water Rats (1996–2001)

Beneath its surface exists a playground for the murky underworld, a place of illicit rubbish dumps. pollution hazards, the remnants of huge drug hauls, and a graveyard of bodies from years ... See full summary »

Creators:

John Hugginson, Tony Morphett

Stars:

Brett Partridge, Peter Bensley, Toni Scanlan

5 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Brett Partridge	...	Senior Constable Gavin 'Sykesy' Sykes (177 episodes, 1996-2001)
Peter Bensley	...	Chief Inspector Jeff Hawker (177 episodes, 1996-2001)
Toni Scanlan	...	Senior Sergeant Helen Blakemore (177 episodes, 1996-2001)
Jay Laga'aia	...	Senior Constable Tommy Tavita (151 episodes, 1996-2001)
Scott Burgess	...	Senior Sergeant Dave McCall (132 episodes, 1996-2000)
Catherine McClements	...	Detective Senior Constable Rachel 'Goldie' Goldstein (116 episodes, 1996-2000)
Colin Friels	...	Detective Senior Constable Frank Holloway (114 episodes, 1996-1999)
Allison Cratchley	...	Senior Emma 'Woodsy' Woods (114 episodes, 1998-2001)
Steve Bisley	...	Det. Sgt. Jack Christey (97 episodes, 1998-2001)
Raelee Hill	...	Constable Tayler Johnson (89 episodes, 1997-1999)
Aaron Pedersen	...	Detective Senior Constable Michael Reilly (86 episodes, 1999-2001)

Storyline

Beneath its surface exists a playground for the murky underworld, a place of illicit rubbish dumps. pollution hazards, the remnants of huge drug hauls, and a graveyard of bodies from years of suicides, accidents and murders. That's the world of the WATER RATS, and elite bunch of 70 brave men and women guarding the harbour against all the elements that threaten to foul the blue waters. With the breathtaking actions stunts, thrilling races against time, chases across both waves and wharves, intrigue mystery, triumphs, heartbreak, love, lust and laughter, WATER RATS is a compelling drama from Southern Star and the Nine Network.

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Plot Keywords:

police | harbor patrol | detective | sydney australia | lesbian | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1996 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Brigade des mers

Filming Locations:

Manly, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nine Network Australia, Southern Star Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

While underwater filming usually takes place in special tanks, all the exteriors for the series were filmed in the port of Sydney and also off-shore.

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Quotes

Sr. Sgt. Helen Blakemore: You know, for the rest of my working life, there'll be uniforms who think I'm nothing but a corrupt dyke, but gee, I didn't expect it from you, Frank.

User Reviews

wonderful sea water police soap

"Water Rats" has been one of my small guilty viewing pleasures these past few years. It plays at 1500 hrs each weekday, a time I am rarely home. I don't tape it, prefering to accidently stumble across it on the few occasions I might be home in the afternoon. Aside from the great characters and the magnificent Sydney harbour, what I most enjoy is the view, hopefully reflective of the lives of Australians, of the city, the lives of the people, and the similarity to what I imagine many Canadian lives are like. Well, without the amazing amount of crime they seem to have. This has been a very satisfying show to occasionally glimpse. Like many, the sudden passing of the Rachel Goldstein character a couple of years ago was a challenge to this soap opera patron's emotional equilibrium. As a final note, I would like to suggest that this show would do well in Canuck prime time.