Sydney Harbour isn't just a postcard. In the late nineties, it was the gritty, high-stakes office for a group of fictional cops who felt more real than anyone else on the telly. If you grew up with the roar of the "Nemesis" engine and the sight of Colin Friels brooding over the bow of a boat, you know that Water Rats wasn't just another police procedural. It was an institution.
Honestly, the chemistry between the original leads was lightning in a bottle. You just don't see that kind of spark often. When Catherine McClements and Friels were on screen together, the air felt thick. You’ve probably wondered where they all went after the show got the chop in 2001. Some stayed in the spotlight, while others basically vanished into the quiet life.
The Water Rats TV show cast that started it all
The show lived and died by its casting. At the start, it was all about Frank Holloway and Rachel "Goldie" Goldstein.
Colin Friels (Frank Holloway) was already a heavyweight in the Aussie acting scene when he took the role. He brought this weary, "seen-it-all" energy to Frank. But behind the scenes, things were incredibly tough. Friels was actually battling pancreatic cancer during the third season. He’d be doing chemotherapy and then heading to the set on Goat Island to film action scenes. It’s wild to think about now. He eventually left in 1999 to focus on his health and stage work, but his shadow loomed over the show until the very end.
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Catherine McClements (Rachel ‘Goldie’ Goldstein) was the heart of the series. Her departure was one of the most traumatizing moments in Australian TV history. Let's be real: we all cried when Goldie died in Jack Christey’s arms. After Water Rats, Catherine didn’t slow down. She jumped into The Secret Life of Us and later anchored the police drama Rush. She’s still one of the most respected actors in the country, often popping up in high-end theater productions.
The new guard and the changing tides
When the originals left, the show had to pivot. Hard.
- Steve Bisley (Jack Christey): Already a legend from Mad Max, Bisley brought a much more aggressive, "cowboy" energy to the Water Police. He was the alpha male the show needed to survive the post-Holloway era.
- Dee Smart (Alex St. Clare): She had the impossible task of replacing Goldie. She brought a certain poshness that clashed with the salt-of-the-earth divers, which made for some decent drama, though many fans never quite moved on from the McClements years.
- Aaron Pedersen (Michael Reilly): Aaron joined as the young, hungry detective. He’s arguably had the biggest "afterlife" of the entire cast. If you haven't seen him in Mystery Road, you are seriously missing out. He turned into one of Australia's most compelling leading men.
What happened to the supporting crew?
The "Rats" weren't just the detectives. It was the divers, the skippers, and the bosses who filled out that world.
Jay Laga'aia, who played Tommy Tavita, is a name you definitely know. He basically became the king of Australian entertainment for a while. Not only did he spend years on Play School, but he also ended up in a little indie franchise called Star Wars as Captain Typho. Talk about a career upgrade from patrolling the harbour!
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Then you have Toni Scanlan (Helen Blakemore) and Peter Bensley (Jeff Hawker). These two were the backbone. Bensley, in particular, has the distinction of appearing in all 177 episodes. He was the steady hand on the tiller. After the show, he didn’t chase the Hollywood dream like some others; he stayed active in local TV and writing.
A tragic loss in the family
It’s impossible to talk about the Water Rats TV show cast without mentioning Sophie Heathcote. She played Constable Fiona Cassidy in the early years—the blonde, tough-as-nails officer who everyone loved. Tragically, Sophie passed away in 2006 from an aneurysm at just 33 years old. It was a massive shock to the industry and her former castmates. She’s remembered as one of the brightest talents of that 90s era.
Why the show eventually sank
By 2001, the cost of filming on the water was becoming a nightmare. You’re talking about boats, divers, weather delays, and the skyrocketing fees of Sydney real estate. Ratings had dipped after the massive cast turnover in season four. The Nine Network eventually pulled the plug because it was just too expensive to keep the "Nemesis" afloat.
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But the legacy? It’s huge. It paved the way for shows like Sea Patrol and Cops L.A.C., though none of them quite captured that specific, gritty Sydney vibe.
What you should do next
If you're feeling nostalgic for the Water Rats era, here is how to dive back in:
- Check out 9Now: They often have the entire series available for streaming. It holds up surprisingly well, especially the early seasons.
- Watch Mystery Road: If you liked Aaron Pedersen in his early days, his work as Jay Swan is the natural evolution of his talent.
- Look up the Sydney Water Police Museum: If you’re ever in Sydney, the actual history of the force the show was based on is fascinating and gives you a real-world perspective on what those "Rats" actually do.
The show was a moment in time—a snapshot of a Sydney that was rapidly changing. Seeing the cast now, gray-haired or still dominating the screen, reminds us why we tuned in every Tuesday night.