Peter Phelps in Rescue: Special Ops.
For Peter Phelps, launching another new television drama could almost be another routine affair. After all, he's appeared in everything from Sons and Daughters, Water Rats, Heartbreak High, Fire, Stingers, All Saints and Underbelly.
He laughs about the fact that he has been around so long he has pretty much seen it all.
"All the descriptions go through fairly quickly," he says. "From 'promising young romantic lead' to 'veteran'. But it's all good. I'm still being employed which is great."
In Rescue: Special Ops, Phelps plays Vince Marchello, station coordinator of Rescue's central operations. He heads up a paramedic team skilled in abseiling, rock climbing, surf and sea rescue, 4WD and fire brigade operations.
Phelps says the series is based on an elite service which was built after the Newcastle earthquake in 1989. The team tackle medical emergencies that are sometimes beyond other services.
"Our creative consultant did everything from abseiling to superficial injuries to attending people with intravenous stuff. The police rescue guys wouldn't do that because they couldn't treat people medically on the side of a cliff or anything."
Having experienced advisors is crucial to his performance, even though so far he hasn't been required for the show's bigger stunts.
"You want to be able to do what the real guys do, and that's my pet thing," he said. "If you meet a guy who's seen the show and he says, whether it's a policeman or whatever, you want to be able to hear that you look like you're doing the right thing."
Across his many years in Australian drama, Phelps has also been there as networks launch shiny new dramas.
"Some shows tend to cut corners which is an economic reality. But they've done all the right things with this one as far as the training goes, and getting the right personnel together."
The first episode centres around teenagers missing in the Blue Mountains, while the second involves storm water drain adventurers and base jumpers. With a mix of action and soap, Phelps is hoping the show will find an audience looking for "a good yarn". "It's got that old 8:30 Sunday night movie feel," he said.
Rescue: Special Ops airs 8:30pm Sundays on Nine.
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