The HMAS Hammersley crew go for gold!
HMAS Hammersley sails back to television next week ensuring Sea Patrol's role as Channel Nine's flagship drama series.
With Underbelly now done and dusted, the third season of the navy drama takes centrestage on Nine's drama slate until Rescue Special Ops arrives later in the year.
The 13 part series dubbed "Red Gold" will centre on a deep-sea red fan coral whose weight is worth 'more than gold.'
Its lure, however, proves fatal for some.
In the first episode, the crew discovers eight bodies who have drowned at sea, a mystery that triggers an underlying story thread across the entire series.
Returning on deck once more are Lisa McCune (XO), Ian Stenlake (Commander Mike Flynn), Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Buffer), Matt Holmes (Swain), John Batchelor (Charge), Jay Ryan (Spider), Kristian Schmid (RO), Kirsty Lee Allan (Bomber), Steve Bisley (Commanding Officer Steve Marshall), David Lyons (ET) along with a fresh new crew member in Nikolai Nikolaeff (2Dads).
Guest stars this series include Blair McDonough, Jessica Napier, Tasma Walton, and actor Robert Coleby who starred in the original Patrol Boat series nearly 30 years ago on the ABC -- a nice touch.
Also in the first episode, one of the resident cast will die, while later storylines will tackle pirates, terrorists, nuclear hazards, people-smugglers, sex slavery and international arms traders.
In mid 2008 Nine had quite a bit of drama on the go with McLeod's Daughters, Canal Road and The Strip, as well as Underbelly. Now it must be very happy that its navy drama has gathered strength as a dependable brand, especially as rival network Seven seems to have hit after hit.
It's a series that has been very important to the Queensland film industry too. Most of the exterior filming has centered around Mission Beach not far from Cairns, creating a spectacular backdrop to the action scenes once again.
Sea Patrol returns 8:30pm Monday on Nine.
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