# Rush (2008 TV series)

Rush is an Australian television police drama that first aired on Network Ten on 2 September 2008. Set in Melbourne, Victoria, it focuses on the members of a Police Tactical Response team. It is produced by John Edwards and Mimi Butler for Endemol Australia, which was branded as the Southern Star Group during production of the series.
In late October 2011, text phrasing on the cover art of Entertainment One's DVD release of the fourth series first indicated Rush would not return for another series, meaning series 4 would be its last. Soon after, the production company, known at the time as the Southern Star Group confirmed with TV Tonight that a fifth series had not been commissioned. Network Ten did not issue any press releases stating the wrapping up of Rush. Executive Producer of Drama and Production at Network Ten, Rick Maier, issued a statement on the show's official Facebook page: "While we don't discount a return series, it is not on the cards at this stage – but we do intend to finish season four with a bang, literally."

## Plot

Rush follows the lives of members of the prestigious Tactical Response team (TR), which is based on the real life Victoria Police Critical Incident Response Team, a highly mobile unit that fills the operational gap between general duties police and the SWAT-like Special Operations Group. The team is seen responding to violent incidents such as carjackings, suicides and armed offences.
Most of the episodes involve at least one main plot, with one or two smaller subplots throughout each episode. In some cases, they will focus on one plot, while the personal lives tend to fall into the form of smaller subplots that span over a number of episodes. Usually the team is divided into two, one team per case, with the team taking the minor subplot meeting up with the major team at some stage throughout the episode. The usual six-person team is split between two vehicles known as TR01 and TR02.
In series four, the composition of the plot was revamped with only one large and extensive arc featured throughout the 13 episodes, as opposed to the story-line structure of prior series.

## Production

The pilot for Rush, originally titled Rapid Response, was filmed in 2004 and based on an earlier Police Rescue script. The pilot featured several characters and cast who did not return for the series, including Matthew Le Nevez, Libby Tanner and Corinne Grant. The series was initially rejected but years later was picked up for production when the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike affected Ten's imported shows.
Sergeant Dominic "Dom" Wales, played by Josef Ber, was originally scripted to be killed in the first season, however during production Van der Boom asked to be released. Her US working visa had been approved and being a "Residency Visa", required her to move to the US. As such, the character of Grace was killed off instead. Jolene Anderson joined the cast for the second series, from 16 July 2009. The series is filmed in Victoria in both regional and metropolitan areas.
A third season of Rush was announced by Channel Ten on 25 September 2009. It premiered in the time-slot of 8:30pm on 22 July 2010.
A thirteen-episode fourth season was confirmed by Channel Ten's Executive Producer of Drama and Production, Rick Maier on 12 November 2010. He stated "Rush continues to deliver great stories, great stunts and some of the best performances on TV". Filming for the fourth season began on 6 May 2011.

## Cast
### Main cast

| Actor/actress | Character | Rank | Past rank/s | Tenure | Episodes |
| Rodger Corser | Lawson Blake | Senior Sergeant | | 2008–2011 | 01–70 |
| Callan Mulvey | Brendan 'Josh' Joshua | Sergeant | | 2008–2011 | 01–70 |
| Claire van der Boom | Grace Barry | Senior Constable | | 2008 | 01–11 |
| Josef Ber | Dominic 'Dom' Wales | Sergeant | | 2008–2010 | 01–51 |
| Nicole da Silva | Stella Dagostino | Senior Constable | Constable | 2008–2011 | 01–70 |
| Ashley Zukerman | Michael Sandrelli | Senior Constable | Constable | 2008–2011 | 01-65 |
| Samuel Johnson | Leon Broznic | Intelligence Officer | | 2008–2011 | 01-70 |
| Catherine McClements | Kerry Vincent | Superintendent | Inspector | 2008–2011 | 01-70 |
| Jolene Anderson | Shannon Henry | Sergeant | Senior Constable | 2009–2011 | 14–70 |
| Luke Arnold | Elliot Ryan | Constable | | 2009 | 34–35 |
| Kevin Hofbauer | Christian Tapu | Constable | | 2010–2011 | 36–70 |
| Antony Starr | Charlie Lewis | Senior Sergeant | | 2011 | 58–70 |

### Recurring

* Asher Keddie as Jacinta Burns; journalist and love interest of Lawson Blake (Season 2, 7 episodes)
* Camille Keenan as Audrey Khoo; police intelligence officer (Season 3, 15 episodes)
* Elena Mandalis as Anna Vargis; police minister (Season 4, 8 episodes)
* Ella-Rose Shenman as Minka Button; daughter of Tash Button (Seasons 3–4, 6 episodes)
* Emily Wheaton as Amber Cushing; niece and assistant of Leon Broznic (Seasons 4, 9 episodes)
* Ian Meadows as James Vincent; drug addict and son of Kerry Vincent (Seasons 3–4, 5 episodes)
* Jane Allsop as Tash Button; love interest of Brendan Joshua (Seasons 3–4, 12 episodes)
* Justin Rosniak as Tompkinson 'Tommo' (Seasons 3 & 4, 2 episodes)
* Kate Jenkinson as Nina Wise; love interest of Leon Broznic (Seasons 1–2, 4 episodes)
* Maia Thomas as Sandrine Wales; wife of Dominic Wales (Seasons 1–2, 4 episodes)
* Malcolm Kennard as Col Rainey; son of Doug Rainey (Season 4, 3 episodes)
* Mark Leonard Winter as Liam Rainey; son of Doug Rainey and brother of Col Rainey (Season 4, 3 episodes)
* Nathaniel Dean as Andrew Kronin; career criminal and nemesis of Lawson Blake (Seasons 2–3, 5 episodes)
* Nikki Shiels as Cleo Temple; journalist and love interest of Stella Dagostino (Season 4, 3 episodes)
* Paul Ireland as Boyd Kemper; brother of hit-and-run victim and love interest of Kerry Vincent (Season 2, 5 episodes)
* Peter Hardy as Doug Rainey; head of a notorious crime family (Season 4, 4 episodes)
* Rohan Nichol as Napthorn (Season 2, 3 episodes)
* Todd MacDonald as Connor Barry; husband of Grace Barry (Season 1, 6 episodes)
* Zed Ledden as Brian Marshall (Seasons 1–2, 3 episodes)

### Guests

* Alicia Banit as Gemma Rose Parker (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Andrew Blackman as Geoffrey (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Anthony Hayes as Oliver Ginsberg (Season 3, 2 episodes)
* Brett Swain as Mr Osbourne (Season 4, 1 episode)
* Charlotte Gregg as Shay (Season 2, episode 12)
* Damien Fotiou as Zonneveldt (Season 3, 2 episodes)
* Daniela Farinacci as Rita (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Eliza Taylor as Madison Taylor Hume (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Georgia Chara as Student (Season 2, 1 episode)
* Jacek Koman as Anton (1 episode)
* Jack Finsterer as Michael Schmitt (Season 3, 1 episode)
* Jansen Spencer as Dimitrius / Gunman (Season 3, 2 episodes)
* Kate Keltie as Abbie (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Lachy Hulme as Jacob White (Season 2, 1 episode)
* Libby Tanner as Robyn Hume (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Lisa Aldenhoven as Jennifer (Season 2, 1 episode)
* Louise Crawford as Susie (Season 3, 1 episode)
* Louise Siversen as Raelene (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Marta Kaczmarek as Helen (Season 2, 1 episode)
* Martin Copping as Constable Young (Season 1, 2 episodes)
* Nell Feeney as Denise (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Nicholas Bell as Brett Cohen (Season 4, 2 episodes)
* Paul Denny as Paul (1 episode)
* Peta Brady as Linda (Season 3, 1 episode)
* Richard Davies as Jerrod (Season 2, 1 episode)
* Simon Lyndon as Snuffy Wells (Season 1, 1 episode)
* Steve Mouzakis as Kreiser (Season 3, 1 episode)
* Tony Nikolakopoulos as Edward (Season 3, 1 episode)
* Salme Geransar (Season 3, 1 episode)

## Episodes

| Series | Series | Episodes | Originally aired | Originally aired |
| Series | Series | Episodes | Series premiere | Series finale |
| | 1 | 13 | 2 September 2008 (2008-09-02) | 25 November 2008 (2008-11-25) |
| | 2 | 22 | 16 July 2009 (2009-07-16) | 26 November 2009 (2009-11-26) |
| | 3 | 22 | 22 July 2010 (2010-07-22) | 16 December 2010 (2010-12-16) |
| | 4 | 13 | 1 September 2011 (2011-09-01) | 17 November 2011 (2011-11-17) |

## Home media
### Home media

| Title | Format | Date released | # of episodes | # of discs | Special features | Distributors |
| Season 01 | DVD | 30 July 2009 | 13 | 4 | Behind the scenes | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| Season 02: Volume One | DVD | 3 December 2009 | 12 | 3 | None | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| Season 02: Volume Two | DVD | 1 April 2010 | 10 | 3 | None | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| Season 03: Volume One | DVD | 2 December 2010 | 12 | 3 | None | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| Season 03: Volume Two | DVD | 3 March 2011 | 10 | 3 | None | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| Season 04 | DVD | 15 December 2011 | 13 | 3 | None | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| The Complete Series 1–4 | DVD | 5 December 2012 | 70 | 19 | Behind the scenes (Series 1 only) | Hopscotch Entertainment |
| The Complete Collection | DVD | 4 August 2021 | 70 | 19 | Behind the scenes (Series 1 only) | Via Vision Entertainment |

### Online Streaming

Original Broadcast on Tenplay (2008-2012)
Re-Release Broadcast On Tenplay (2019–Present)
| Title | Format | Episodes # | Release date | Streaming Status | Web Extras | Distributors |
| Rush: The Complete Season 01 | Streaming | 13 | September - November 2008 6 September 2019 (Re-Release) | Expired 2012 Current | Behind The Scenes (Webisodes) Rush Premiere Party (Ten News Video) Photo Gallery | Tenplay |
| Rush: The Complete Season 02 | Streaming | 22 | July - November 2009 6 September 2019 (Re-Release) | Expired 2012 Current | Behind The Scenes (Webisodes) Photo Gallery | Tenplay |
| Rush: The Complete Season 03 | Streaming | 22 | July - December 2010 6 September 2019 (Re-Release) | Expired 2012 Current | Behind The Scenes (Webisodes) Photo Gallery | Tenplay |
| Rush: The Complete Season 04 | Streaming | 13 | September - November 2011 6 September 2019 (Re-Release) | Expired 2012 Current | Behind The Scenes (Webisodes) Photo Gallery | Tenplay |
Note: The Rush Web Extras were NOT add back with The Re-Release on 10play.

## Awards and achievements

Awards and nominations :
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 2011 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Actor | Callan Mulvey | Nominated |
| 2011 | Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Actress | Catherine McClements | Nominated |
| 2011 | Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Drama | Rush | Nominated |
| 2011 | Logie Awards | Most Popular Drama | Rush | Nominated |
| 2011 | Screen Music Awards | Best Music in a drama series or serial | Stephen Rae (for episode 3.16) | Nominated |
| 2010 | AFI Awards | Best Television Drama Series | Rush – John Edwards and Mimi Butler | Won |
| 2009 | AWGIE Awards | Television Series | John O'Brien and Christopher Lee (for episode 1.04) | Won |
| 2009 | Logie Awards | Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent | Ashley Zukerman | Nominated |
| 2009 | Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Actor | Callan Mulvey | Nominated |
| 2009 | Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Actress | Claire van der Boom | Nominated |
| 2009 | Logie Awards | Most Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Telemovie | Rush | Nominated |
| 2008 | AFI Awards | Best Television Drama Series | Rush – John Edwards and Mimi Butler | Nominated |
| 2008 | AFI Awards | Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama | Callan Mulvey | Nominated |

## International broadcasters

| Country | Channel | Year | Dubbed or Subtitled? |
| India | FOX Crime | 2009 – | Dubbed |
| Ireland | RTÉ One | 2009 – | |
| Norway | TV2 | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Czech Republic | AXN | 2009 – | Dubbed |
| Serbia | AXN | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Slovakia | AXN | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Hungary | AXN | 2009 – | Dubbed |
| Poland | AXN, TV4 | 2009 – | Voice-over |
| Belgium | vtm | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Hong Kong | FOX Crime | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| South Africa | MNET | 2009 – | |
| Saudi Arabia & the Arab World | MBC 4 | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Saudi Arabia & the Arab World | MBC Action | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Romania | AXN | 2009 – | Subtitled |
| Portugal | AXN | 2009 (Pilot) 2010 (Regular broadcast) – | Subtitled |
| Tuvalu | Television Tuvalu | 2010 – | |
| Spain | Nitro Cuatro | 2010 | Dubbed |
| New Zealand | TV One | 2010 – | |
| Italy | IPTV di Telecom Italia | 2010 – | Dubbed |
| Italy | Rai Premium | 2012 – | Dubbed |
| Estonia | Fox Crime | 2010 – | Subtitled |
| Finland | YLE TV2 | 2010 – | Subtitled |
| Bulgaria | AXN | 2011 – | Dubbed |
| Israel | IBA 3 | 2011 – | Subtitled |
| Philippines | GMA News TV | 2012 – | Dubbed |
| Taiwan | PTS Main Channel HiHD | 2012 – | Subtitled |
| Iran | IRIB 1 | 2013 – | Subtitled |
| United States | Hulu, Tubi TV | 2013 | Entire series available for streaming on Tubi TV |
| France | Numéro 23 | 2014 – | Both |
| Germany | AXN | 2015 – | Dubbed |
| United Kingdom | Alibi | 2019 – | Series 1–4 shown consecutively, daily, at 5:00pm from 4 February 2019 to 15 May 2019 |