‘Sea Patrol 3: Red Gold’ films

Channel Nine began filming the third series of Sea Patrol last week, dubbed “Red Gold.”

Series 3 is centred on the fictitious Red Reef, where oil and gas rigs lie adjacent to exotic coral formations.

Lisa McCune and Ian Stenlake are again back for the drama, which will film for six weeks around Mission Beach in Far North Queensland and at the Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.

The drama has always had to juggle its access to the navy patrol boat, including shooting many scenes out of order across its entire series, rather than episode by episode which is a common convention in television production.

Studio scenes are added later when the boat is no longer a priority. That’s surely enough to keep everyone on their toes, not just actors, but especially continuity.

Sea Patrol 3: Red Gold will air on Nine in 2009.

Nine Press Release:
The Nine Network today announced that the popular drama mini-series, Sea Patrol, has commenced production of its third season in Far North Queensland.

Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold follows the crew of HMAS Hammersley as they patrol the coastline of Australia, protecting the nation’s borders.

Lisa McCune again heads up the cast, along with Ian Stenlake and Saskia Burmeister. Regular crew members returning for the third season include Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Buffer), Matt Holmes (Swain), John Batchelor (Charge), Jay Ryan (Spider), Kristian Schmid (RO) and Kirsty Lee Allan (Bomber), along with a fresh new crew member in Nikolai Nikolaeff (2Dads).

Steve Bisley will reprise his role as Commanding Officer Steve Marshall. David Lyons (ET) returns to guest star along with Jessica Napier (McLeod’s Daughters, Stingers), Blair McDonough (Big Brother, Neighbours), Tasma Walton (Blue Heelers) and Robert Coleby who starred in the original Patrol Boat nearly 30 years ago.

The Royal Australian Navy is again supporting the mini-series, supplying production with numerous vessels and crews. A $60 million, Armidale-class patrol boat will again play the role of HMAS Hammersley.

Executive Producer, Di McElroy, said: ‘‘The title of the third series, Red Gold, refers to the deep-sea red fan coral whose weight is worth more than gold.”

Executive Producer, Hal McElroy, said” “We are thrilled to be working on the third series of Sea Patrol. With the support from our regular partners – the Nine Network, Royal Australian Navy, Pacific Film Television Commission and Portman Media Assets (UK) – the HMAS Hammersley is ready to set sail for more adventure.”

Channel Nine’s Head of Drama, Jo Horsburgh, said: “Nine is thrilled to be embarking on the production of series three of Sea Patrol. We look forward to presenting this outstanding drama on the network in early 2009.”

The Sea Patrol cast will be filming at Mission Beach, Cairns and on the Gold Coast from now until February 2009.

PFTC Press Release:

Principal photography commences today in Far North Queensland on the Australian television drama Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold.

Arts Minister Rod Welford welcomed the return of veteran producers Di and Hal McElroy and an all-star cast, led by Lisa McCune and Ian Stenlake, to the state.

“Our Government, through the Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC), is thrilled to once again partner with McElroy All Media on this prominent and successful television drama series,” Mr Welford said.

“A regular viewing audience of 1.5 million Australians can’t be wrong, and since the program’s debut in 2007, the rights have been licensed to over 200 channels across Canada and Europe.

“The PFTC is providing development, production and investment funding for Red Gold, just as it did for Sea Patrol 1 and Sea Patrol 2 – The Coup, in order to stimulate our local screen industry and to deliver real economic benefits to the state.

“Over the next six weeks the production will shoot 13 episodes for Series 3 on location at Mission Beach in Far North Queensland and at the Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.

“Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold is likely to generate close to $12 million in Queensland production expenditure and create around 350 jobs.

“The series represents a significant component of the state’s total production expenditure for 2008/09, which now stands at $46.3 million.”

The Sea Patrol series is set onboard a fictional Royal Australian Navy Armidale class patrol boat, the HMAS Hammersley. Previous series’ storylines have dealt with contemporary issues faced by the Navy, including illegal fishing, drug and reptile smuggling, asylum seekers and immigration. Series 3 is centred on the fictitious Red Reef, where oil and gas rigs lie adjacent to exotic coral formations.

“Executive producers Di and Hal McElroy, the team behind long-running Australian television drama series’ Blue Heelers and Water Rats, are incredibly experienced and I hope the program has the longevity and success of the McElroy’s previous work,” Mr Welford said.

The third series of Sea Patrol will screen on the Nine Network in 2009.

Principal photography will also commence shortly in Queensland on a third series of Jonathon M.Shiff’s hit children’s television series H2O: Just Add Water.