''City Homicide'' is an Australian television drama series that aired on the
Seven Network
The Seven Network (commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is a major Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, and is one of ...
between 27 August 2007 and 30 March 2011. The series was set on the Homicide floor of a metropolitan police headquarters in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
. The main characters were six detectives, who solve the murder cases, and their three superior officers.
''City Homicide'' did not return in its regular format in 2011. A six-episode mini-series titled ''
No Greater Honour'' was shown instead which marked the closing storyline of the series. The mini-series guest-starred
Claire van der Boom
Clair or Claire may refer to:
*Claire (given name), a list of people with the name Claire
*Clair (surname)
Places
Canada
* Clair, New Brunswick, a former village, now part of Haut-Madawaska
* Clair Parish, New Brunswick
* Pointe-Claire, Que ...
,
Marcus Graham
Marcus Graham (born 11 October 1963) is an Australian film, television (including both serials and mini-series) and stage actor and director, with roles including ''Mulholland Drive'' and '' Josh Jarman''. He was known as a teenage heartthrob i ...
,
John Howard
John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007, holding office as leader of the Liberal Party. His eleven-year tenure as prime minister is the s ...
and
Graeme Blundell
Graeme Blundell (born 7 August 1945) is an Australian actor, director, producer, writer, playwright, lyricist and biographer
Early life
Blundell was born on 7 April 1945 in Melbourne; he grew up in the suburb of Clifton Hill. He was educated a ...
.
Production
The series' co-writers are John Hugginson who has previously worked on ''
Water Rats'', ''
Murder Call
''Murder Call'' is an Australian television series, created by Hal McElroy for the Southern Star Entertainment and broadcast on the Nine Network between 1997 and 2000. The series was inspired by the ''Tessa Vance'' novels by Jennifer Rowe, bot ...
'' and ''
Blue Heelers
''Blue Heelers'' is an Australian police drama series that was produced by Southern Star Group and ran for 12 years on the Seven Network, from 1994 to 2006. Although based around the policing of the town, the series generally depicted the ever ...
'', and John Banas who has written for ''
All Saints'' and ''
Stingers'' in addition to ''Water Rats'' and ''Blue Heelers''. In an interview with the ''
Herald Sun
The ''Herald Sun'' is a conservative daily tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia, published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Corp Australia, itself a subsidiary of the Murdoch owned News Corp. The ''Herald S ...
'', Banas said the show had been in planning since "late last millennium".
The bulk of ''City Homicide'' is shot at Seven's
South Melbourne
South Melbourne is an inner suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3 km south of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Port Phillip local government area. South Melbourne recorded a population of 11,548 at t ...
studios and the show features Melbourne landmarks, such as
Flinders Street station
Flinders Street railway station is a train station located on the corner of Flinders Street, Melbourne, Flinders and Swanston Street, Swanston streets in the Melbourne city centre, central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Victoria (Austral ...
and the city's
trams
A tram (called a streetcar or trolley in North America) is a rail vehicle that travels on tramway tracks on public urban streets; some include segments on segregated right-of-way. The tramlines or networks operated as public transport are ...
.
The series is distributed overseas by
Southern Star Group
Endemol Australia, formerly known as Southern Star Group, Southern Star Productions, Southern Star/Hanna-Barbera Australia and Taft-Hardie Group Pty Ltd, was Australia's largest independent television production and distribution group. On 26 Jul ...
.
The show originally starred
Shane Bourne
Shane Bourne (born 24 November 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, musician, and television host.
Career
1970s
Co-founded Australian band Bandicoot with Mick Fettes (formerly of the band Madder Lake). They ...
,
Nadine Garner
Nadine Lynette Garner (born 14 December 1970 in Knoxfield, Melbourne) is an Australian actress who started her career as a teen performer.
Biography
Garner first came to public attention in 1985, as Tamara Henderson in the Australian TV series ...
,
Daniel MacPherson
Daniel Donald MacPherson (born 25 April 1980) is an Australian actor and television presenter, known for his roles as Joel Samuels in ''Neighbours'', PC Cameron Tait in ''The Bill'', Sergeant Samuel Wyatt in Sky and Cinemax's '' Strike Back'', ...
,
Aaron Pedersen
Aaron Pedersen is an Aboriginal Australian television and film actor. He is known for many film and television roles, in particular as Detective Jay Swan in the film '' Mystery Road'', its sequel '' Goldstone'', and spin-off television series. ...
,
Damien Richardson and
Noni Hazlehurst
Leonie Elva "Noni" Hazlehurst , (born 17 August 1953) is an Australian actress, director, writer, presenter and broadcaster who has appeared on television and radio, in dramas, mini-series and made for television films, as well also on stag ...
. After the second season, the show's executive producers decided to vary the Homicide squad substantially—
Nadia Townsend
Nadia Townsend (born 27 November 1979) is an Australian actress and film dramaturge. She portrayed Allie Kingston in the Channel 7 police drama, ''City Homicide'', from 2009 to 2011. In 2009 she appeared in the United States produced science ...
and
John Adam were both added to the cast early in the third season, Bourne took a temporary hiatus that lasted most of the third season, guest star
David Field made more frequent and substantive appearances, and main characters were written out of many episodes. This custom continued throughout the remainder of the show, with Field (still credited as a guest star) notably appearing more frequently than any other main cast member. Ryan O'Kane entered for seasons 4 and 5 (mini-series) as new member of the team Detective Rhys Levitt.
Cast
Main cast
None of the main characters appear in all episodes, as periods of leave and rostered days off are incorporated into each character's appearances.
Detective Senior Sergeant
Stanley Wolfe
Stanley may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Film and television
* ''Stanley'' (1972 film), an American horror film
* ''Stanley'' (1984 film), an Australian comedy
* ''Stanley'' (1999 film), an animated short
* ''Stanley'' (1956 TV series) ...
(
Shane Bourne
Shane Bourne (born 24 November 1949 in Melbourne, Victoria) is an Australian stand-up comedian, actor, musician, and television host.
Career
1970s
Co-founded Australian band Bandicoot with Mick Fettes (formerly of the band Madder Lake). They ...
, 70 episodes, seasons 1–5) is the operational leader of the Homicide squad. Wolfe is an authoritative yet compassionate boss with years of Homicide experience. He is highly religious, a recovering alcoholic and, as of the second season, going through a relatively civil divorce with his wife Linda. Stanley's reputation is threatened in season three by the resurfacing of an old case of his, which resulted in his alcoholism coming to light and his extended leave from Homicide, which ended in the season four premiere. He is seen to have a very proper nature (exemplified by his being called Stanley as opposed to Stan, although Jarvis does use the latter name), but can be extremely emotional in certain cases, usually ones concerning serial killers and children.
Detective Sergeant
Matt Ryan (
Damien Richardson, 82 episodes, seasons 1–5) is the sergeant of the team. In the first three seasons, Matt is a senior constable working alongside Duncan, Jen, Nick, Allie and Simon, but early in season four he sits the sergeant exam and passes with flying colours, and is permitted to return to Homicide and take up a sergeant position under Stanley. Although he is a competent detective, Matt struggles greatly with authority, and is often inadvertently undermined by the team. In season two, Matt began a relationship with Emma, which ended in season four when she moved to France. This breakup served as the catalyst for Matt getting his sergeant exam, as he was dissatisfied with his professional progress.
Detective Senior Constable
Jennifer Mapplethorpe (
Nadine Garner
Nadine Lynette Garner (born 14 December 1970 in Knoxfield, Melbourne) is an Australian actress who started her career as a teen performer.
Biography
Garner first came to public attention in 1985, as Tamara Henderson in the Australian TV series ...
, 79 episodes, seasons 1–5) is one of the Homicide squad of detectives. In the pilot episode, she is introduced as a temporary replacement for Duncan, but later earns a permanent place on the team. She is a former member of the Fraud squad, and was also an undercover operative of the Secret Service with Nick. Jennifer considers herself married to the job, with Nick being her only genuine love interest over the course of the show. In spite of this, she demonstrates a compassionate and protective demeanour, particularly in relation to cases with children. Her name is purposely mispronounced by Jarvis, who calls her "Mayplethorpe".
Detective Senior Constable
Duncan Freeman
Duncan may refer to:
People
* Duncan (given name), various people
* Duncan (surname), various people
* Clan Duncan
* Justice Duncan (disambiguation)
Places
* Duncan Creek (disambiguation)
* Duncan River (disambiguation)
* Duncan Lake (d ...
(
Aaron Pedersen
Aaron Pedersen is an Aboriginal Australian television and film actor. He is known for many film and television roles, in particular as Detective Jay Swan in the film '' Mystery Road'', its sequel '' Goldstone'', and spin-off television series. ...
, 78 episodes, seasons 1–5) is a member of the squad. Duncan is the second-longest-serving detective in the team, but his position is constantly threatened by his hotheaded behaviour and his sustenance of injuries. Duncan was engaged to a recovering drug addict named Claire in the first season, but an alleged affair and her drug relapse ended the engagement. Claire is later arrested for drug possession and is placed in a sting operation in exchange for the charges being dropped, but is killed in the process, which deeply saddens Duncan. In later seasons, Duncan seems to get his temper under control, though his relationship with Terry Jarvis is fraught with tension.
Detective Senior Constable Simon Joyner (
Daniel Macpherson
Daniel Donald MacPherson (born 25 April 1980) is an Australian actor and television presenter, known for his roles as Joel Samuels in ''Neighbours'', PC Cameron Tait in ''The Bill'', Sergeant Samuel Wyatt in Sky and Cinemax's '' Strike Back'', ...
, 54 episodes, seasons 1–4) is a former member of the Homicide team. Simon is an experienced detective, having joined the squad before the pilot episode. He possesses a slightly immature personality, and is occasionally reprimanded for not taking cases seriously. In season three, Simon's mental health is questioned after he witnessed Duncan being beaten, and his ongoing issues later result in assault, corruption and murder charges being levied against him. Although the charges are later dropped, Simon comes to realise his mental health is threatened by working in Homicide, and quits in the second episode of season four. He is never seen or mentioned again.
Detective Senior Constable Allie Kingston (
Nadia Townsend
Nadia Townsend (born 27 November 1979) is an Australian actress and film dramaturge. She portrayed Allie Kingston in the Channel 7 police drama, ''City Homicide'', from 2009 to 2011. In 2009 she appeared in the United States produced science ...
, 47 episodes, seasons 3–5) is a member of Homicide. Added to the team in the season three premiere, Allie immediately steps on the toes of Simon, and the two share a tense relationship until his departure. Allie often acts first and thinks second, and her impulsive behaviour gets her in a lot of trouble with Stanley, Jarvis and Waverley, who readily admits that she does not like Allie and does not consider her a good detective. A champion runner, Allie joined the police force to escape the overbearing clutches of her mother, who has not spoken to her in years. Late in season four, Allie begins an illicit relationship with Rhys, which jeopardises their careers and earns Allie even more bad will with Waverley.
Detective Senior Constable Nick Buchanan (
John Adam, 44 episodes, seasons 3–5) is a member of the Homicide squad. Nick is a later addition to the current team, first introduced in the season three episode "Thai Takeaway", but has worked in Homicide before, and was friends with Simon and Matt before joining the team. He also worked undercover with Jennifer before she joined Homicide, a fact which is unknown to the rest of the squad until late in season four. Nick is shown to be a highly competent detective, but his reputation is left in tatters after corruption allegations in season five.
Detective Senior Constable Rhys Levitt (
Ryan O'Kane
Ryan O'Kane is a New Zealand actor. His roles include Rhys Levitt in the Australian police drama ''City Homicide'', Prince Frederik in the telemovie '' Mary: The Making of a Princess'', and Riley Hawkins in ''Home and Away''. In 2018 and 2019 ...
, 21 episodes, seasons 4–5) is the newest addition to the team. A direct replacement for both Simon and Matt (after he becomes a sergeant), Rhys is a well-educated but inexperienced officer. He holds a Master's in psychology from Oxford University, which brings about his nickname "Oxford", and his job in Homicide is his first-ever position in the police force. It is later revealed that Rhys is the nephew of Waverley, leading to many members of the team coming to the conclusion that Rhys exerted influence over his aunt to get him the prestigious position. Rhys does later prove himself a skilled detective and a very loyal member of the team, although is next to useless in any sort of physical situation. He has an affair with Allie in season four, but this quickly ends for the sake of their careers.
Commander
Bernice Waverley
Bernice Waverley is a fictional character from the Australian drama series '' City Homicide'', played by Noni Hazlehurst. She made her first screen appearance in the pilot episode "In The Hands Of Giants Pt 1", which was broadcast on 28 August 2007 ...
(
Noni Hazlehurst
Leonie Elva "Noni" Hazlehurst , (born 17 August 1953) is an Australian actress, director, writer, presenter and broadcaster who has appeared on television and radio, in dramas, mini-series and made for television films, as well also on stag ...
, 77 episodes, seasons 1–5) is the undisputed boss of Homicide. She began as the Superintendent of Homicide; however, in season two this position was jeopardised by corruption charges that were brought about by the brother of a former police officer who committed suicide after Waverley refused him a pension payout. Although the accusations were proven to be false, the brother's final revenge on Waverley involved killing her son, in the season two finale. After this debacle, Waverley returned to Homicide as the Senior Sergeant in season three after Stanley went on extended leave, with her Superintendent position being filled by Terry Jarvis. After Stanley returned to his old job, Bernice was later promoted above Jarvis to become the Commander of Crime, a position which necessitated her becoming less involved in day-to-day Homicide operations.
Semi-regular cast
Detective Superintendent Terry Jarvis (
David Field, seasons 1–5) begins as the no-nonsense superintendent of the Drug Squad that botches the sting operation that killed Duncan's fiancée Claire, which creates a huge amount of tension and anger between the two. In the second season, Jarvis temporarily fills in for Waverley as Homicide Superintendent after her corruption charges and the death of her son, a position which he excels in, and enjoys. When Waverley returns and Stanley takes extended leave, Jarvis assigns her as the Senior Sergeant of Homicide, keeping her job himself. With Stanley's return, Waverley is promoted above Jarvis, thus restoring proper order in the squad's eyes. Jarvis remains highly involved in most Homicide investigations, often undermining Stanley and running the investigation himself. As a boss, Jarvis maintains frosty relationships with most of his team, particularly Duncan and Allie, and can be quite condescending, as exemplified by his use of the term "boys and girls" to refer to the Homicide squad.
Detective Senior Sergeant
Claudia Leigh
Claudia Leigh is a fictional character from the Australian television drama ''City Homicide'', played by Tasma Walton. Shortly after the actress relocated to Melbourne, she was approached by producer MaryAnne Carroll to appear in the series. Carr ...
(
Tasma Walton
Tasma Walton (born 19 August 1973) is an Australian television and film actress.
Acting career
Walton joined local radio station 6GE and trained as a production assistant and copy writer in her home town. She was accepted into the National Ins ...
, seasons 2–4) is a psychological profiler brought in to some Homicide investigations to analyse the mentality of offenders. She often provides scintillating insights that assist greatly in investigations concerning particularly heinous crimes. In season three, Claudia also becomes a psychological sponsor for Simon through his downward spiral, trying to help him wherever she can. In season four, her
psychological manipulation
Manipulation in psychology is a behavior designed to exploit, control, or otherwise influence others to one’s advantage. Definitions for the term vary in which behavior is specifically included, influenced by both culture and whether referring t ...
of offenders backfires when she is attacked by a serial killer who tries to rape and kill her; attempts thwarted by the quick-thinking actions of Jennifer and Claudia. She exhibits a very friendly demeanour, and maintains positive working relationships with everyone on the squad, even Jarvis, who refers to her as "Mrs. Freud".
Dr. Rhonda "Ronnie" Lafferty (
Genevieve Morris
Genevieve Morris (born 1967) is an Australian comedian and actress, best known for being among the regular cast on the popular comedy series ''Comedy Inc'' and appearing in a popular advertising campaign for ANZ.
She has also had recurring role ...
, seasons 2–5) is a head pathologist with the city morgue whose specialisation is autopsies relating to suspicious deaths, therefore integrating her with the Homicide squad. Ronnie is a highly competent and upstanding medical examiner, and believes that all murder victims deserve a chance at being investigated. Ronnie has two teenage children that she cares deeply for, although she occasionally avoids them during particularly gruesome cases involving children to prevent frightening them. Ronnie is regarded by the entire team as an indispensable asset to their investigations, and develops friendships with everyone, especially Jennifer and Nick.
Josh Waverley (William Jarratt, seasons 1–2) is the teenage son of Bernice. He is first introduced in season one as being very polite and well mannered, although in later appearances he is seen to have substantial issues with bullying and violence. The Shannon Pierce case tests Josh's relationship with his mother, as he himself is demonised by his peers after she is accused of corruption. Josh's final appearance is in the season two finale, where his wrists are slashed by Pierce's brother to punish Bernice. His death has a debilitating effect on his mother, who struggles to cope, even after years.
Sergeant Karen Hatzic (
Louise Crawford
Louise Crawford (born 1978 in Queensland, Australia) is an Australian film and television actress, who is a Councillor and former Mayor of the City of Port Phillip. Crawford has appeared in many Australian soaps and dramas, including a role as S ...
, seasons 1–3) is a uniform police officer often assigned to the day-to-day duties related to Homicide investigations, such as retrieving files, guarding suspects and witnesses and coordinating canvasses and doorknocks. In season two, Hatzic is taken hostage along with Jennifer and Wilton, but survives the ordeal and returns to work soon after.
Detective Senior Sergeant Wilton Sparkes (
Marshall Napier
James Marshall Napier (22 October 1951 – 14 August 2022) was a New Zealand-born character actor, playwright and graphic artist. He is known for a succession of strong supporting roles in Australasian films and television shows. He has also h ...
, seasons 1–2, 4) is the leader of the additional Homicide squad. Sparkes' team is supplementary to Stanley's, and his squad is often assigned to paperwork and more mundane investigations, thus associating a stigma to being on this squad. Sparkes is married to an unfaithful wife, Lorraine, who carries on an affair with Simon throughout the first half of season one. In the pilot, Sparkes finds out about this indiscretion and threatens to tell Stanley, whose highly religious nature makes him unlikely to sympathise with Simon; however, he sustains a heart attack before he can tell Stanley. Sparkes later returns to Homicide in the primary squad, working underneath Stanley, and develops a working relationship with Simon. Early in season two, Sparkes is demoted to a uniform position after revealing secret Homicide information to a friend so he could collect the reward money offered in an investigation, and has his final appearance early in season four when a murder victim is discovered in Sparkes' division. Sparkes is perceived to be quite sexist and old-fashioned, and thus has tense relationships with Jennifer and Allie.
Recurring cast
Special guest cast
*
Peter O'Brien as Warren Endicott (season 2, episode "Guilty As Charged")
*
Blair McDonough
Blair McDonough (born 30 April 1981), is an Australian actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera '' Neighbours''. He first shot to fame the age of 19 in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the ...
as Cameron Gunning (season 2, episode "Golden")
*
Craig McLachlan
Craig Dougall McLachlan (born 1 September 1965) is an Australian actor, musician, singer and composer. He has been involved in film, television, the music industry and music theatre for over 30 years. He is best known for appearing in the soap ...
as Leon Grasby (season 2, episode "Golden")
*
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson (born Melanie Elizabeth Bownds; 2 March 1980) is an Australian actress, comedian, writer, singer, and producer. After graduating from the Australian Theatre for Young People in 2003, Wilson began appearing as Tou ...
as Sarah Gilbert (season 3, episode "Dead Weight")
*
Georgie Parker
Georgina Parker (born 16 December 1964) is an Australian television soap actress and has also appeared in film and theatre. She is a double Gold Logie winner, best known for her acting roles in Australian soap operas; as Lucy Gardiner (later T ...
as Susan Blake (season 4, episodes "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!" & "Good Cop/Bad Cop")
*
Martin Sacks
Martin Colin Sacks (born 16 October 1959) is an Australian actor who is chiefly known for his 12-year role on ''Blue Heelers'' from 1993 to 2005.
Life and career
Sacks was born in Sydney. He got into acting after a bit part in an episode of ' ...
as Daniel Worthington (season 4, episode "Flight Risk")
*
Derryn Hinch
Derryn Nigel Hinch (born 9 February 1944) is a New Zealand-born media personality, politician, actor, journalist and published author. He is best known for his career in Australia, on Melbourne radio and television. He served as a Senator for V ...
as Richard Hill (season 4, episode "Empowerment")
Episodes
Ratings
Weekly ratings
The following table shows the weekly ratings for the series. Season two has been split into two parts as season two aired in two television seasons.
The data is based on the five Metropolitan markets only.
Episode six was broadcast on Monday 24 September in Sydney and Brisbane as per usual but was broadcast in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on Wednesday 26 September due to the broadcast of the
2007 Brownlow Medal
The 2007 Brownlow Medal was the 80th year the award was presented to the player adjudged the fairest and best player during the Australian Football League (AFL) home and away season. Jimmy Bartel of the Geelong Football Club won the medal by po ...
count.
Home media
All series were made available on DVD. The season 3 DVD included the first eight episodes of Season 4, while the season 4 DVD included the remainder of season 4 episodes plus the six-part mini-series ''No Greater Honour''.
DVD release
These DVD releases are now
out of print
__NOTOC__
An out-of-print (OOP) or out-of-commerce item or work is something that is no longer being published. The term applies to all types of printed matter, visual media, sound recordings, and video recordings. An out-of-print book is a book ...
. It was Announced In June 2022 that Via Vision Entertainment would be re-releasing the complete series of City Homicide on 7 September 2022.
Online streaming
Broadcast and distribution
References
External links
*
City Homicide' at The TV IV
*
' at the Australian Television Information Archive
*
{{Endemol Australia
2000s Australian drama television series
Seven Network original programming
Television shows set in Melbourne
2007 Australian television series debuts
2011 Australian television series endings
2000s Australian crime television series
2010s Australian crime television series
Television series by Endemol Australia
Fitzroy, Victoria
2010s Australian drama television series