City Homicide

City Homicide

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television drama
Founded	August 2007 (2007-08)
Defunct	March 2011 (2011-03)
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia
Products	Television drama series

City Homicide is an Australian drama television series that was broadcast on the Seven Network from August 2007 until March 2011. The narrative centers on six detectives and their three commanding officers working within the Homicide division of a metropolitan police headquarters located in Melbourne, as they investigate various murder cases.

The show ended its standard broadcast in 2011 and was succeeded by a six-episode miniseries entitled No Greater Honour, which provided the concluding storyline. This miniseries included guest roles played by Claire van der Boom, Marcus Graham, John Howard, and Graeme Blundell.

Production

The series was co-written by John Hugginson, recognized for his work on Water Rats, Murder Call, and Blue Heelers, alongside John Banas, who contributed to All Saints, Stingers, as well as Water Rats and Blue Heelers. Banas mentioned that development of the show had been underway since "late last millennium".

Primarily filmed at Seven's studios in South Melbourne, the series showcases iconic Melbourne landmarks such as Flinders Street station and the city’s tram network. Filming for season one commenced on 16 April 2007.

Southern Star Group manages the international distribution rights for the series.

The initial ensemble cast featured Shane Bourne, Nadine Garner, Daniel MacPherson, Aaron Pedersen, Damien Richardson, and Noni Hazlehurst. Following the second season, executive producers restructured the cast: Nadia Townsend and John Adam were introduced in season three; Bourne took an extended break; David Field, initially a guest star, appeared more regularly; and main characters were occasionally absent from episodes. Ryan O'Kane joined the lineup in seasons four and five portraying Detective Rhys Levitt.

Main cast

Due to scheduled leaves and rostered days off, principal characters do not appear in every episode.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stanley Wolfe (Shane Bourne, 70 episodes, seasons 1–5) commands the Homicide team with a blend of empathy and authority. As a recovering alcoholic undergoing a civil divorce, his professional standing is challenged in season three when an old case reveals his struggles with alcoholism, resulting in an extended leave until season four. Wolfe maintains a balance between professionalism and emotional involvement in sensitive investigations.

Detective Sergeant Matt Ryan (Damien Richardson, 82 episodes, seasons 1–5) serves as the team’s sergeant. Initially holding the rank of senior constable, he successfully completes the sergeant exam early in season four. Despite his capabilities, he experiences difficulties asserting authority and is occasionally undermined by fellow officers. His failed romance with Emma motivates him to seek promotion.

Detective Senior Constable Jennifer Mapplethorpe (Nadine Garner, 79 episodes, seasons 1–5) becomes a permanent member after initially filling in temporarily. Previously assigned to Fraud and Secret Service units, she demonstrates strong dedication to her duties, with Nick being her only significant personal connection. She exhibits notable compassion, particularly in cases involving children.

Detective Senior Constable Duncan Freeman (Aaron Pedersen, 78 episodes, seasons 1–5) is an experienced but hot-tempered detective whose position is often jeopardized due to his temperament and injuries sustained on duty. His personal storyline includes a tragic engagement with a recovering addict who dies during a sting operation. His relationship with Terry Jarvis remains strained.

Detective Senior Constable Simon Joyner (Daniel Macpherson, 54 episodes, seasons 1–4) is a seasoned yet sometimes immature detective. Following traumatic events leading to serious charges against him, mental health challenges emerge. Although ultimately cleared, he resigns early in season four due to deteriorating well-being.

Detective Senior Constable Allie Kingston (Nadia Townsend, 47 episodes, seasons 3–5) enters the series in season three, initially creating friction with Simon until his departure. Known for impulsiveness and challenging relationships with colleagues, she began policing as an escape from family pressures. Her affair with Rhys Levitt threatens their professional standing.

Detective Senior Constable Nick Buchanan (John Adam, 44 episodes, seasons 3–5) joins midway through the series but has prior experience within Homicide. Competent yet later implicated by corruption allegations in season five, he previously worked undercover alongside Jennifer.

Detective Senior Constable Rhys Levitt (Ryan O'Kane, 21 episodes, seasons 4–5) replaces Simon Joyner and Matt Ryan (after his promotion). An Oxford graduate holding a master’s degree in psychology, he faces skepticism regarding nepotism due to his familial connection to Waverley but demonstrates loyalty and capability despite physical limitations. His brief relationship with Allie ends to safeguard their careers.

Commander Bernice Waverley (Noni Hazlehurst, 77 episodes, seasons 1–5) supervises Homicide operations. Initially serving as Superintendent, she was accused of corruption but was exonerated; however, she endured personal tragedy when her son was killed by an adversary seeking revenge. Later acting as Senior Sergeant during Stanley’s leave before being promoted to Commander of Crime, she shifted focus away from day-to-day operations.

Semi-regular cast

Detective Superintendent Terry Jarvis (David Field, seasons 1–5) begins as the stern superintendent overseeing the Drug Squad, held accountable for the botched operation that resulted in the death of Duncan's fiancée, Claire, which creates ongoing friction between them. In the second season, Jarvis temporarily assumes command of Homicide as Superintendent during Waverley's leave, demonstrating strong leadership. When Waverley returns and Stanley takes a break, Jarvis promotes her to Senior Sergeant while retaining his own role. After Stanley's return, Waverley advances above Jarvis, reestablishing the squad's chain of command. Jarvis continues to play a significant role in investigations, frequently bypassing Stanley and handling cases personally. His leadership approach is notably cold and patronizing, often referring to the team as "boys and girls."

Detective Senior Sergeant Claudia Leigh (Tasma Walton, seasons 2–4) serves as a psychological profiler whose expertise contributes to solving intricate cases. During season three, she offers support to Simon amid his personal challenges. In season four, her psychological strategies backfire when a serial killer targets her; Jennifer and Claudia together prevent the attack. She maintains cordial relationships throughout the squad, including with Jarvis, who nicknames her "Mrs. Freud."

Dr. Rhonda "Ronnie" Lafferty (Genevieve Morris, seasons 2–5) leads as the chief pathologist with a focus on autopsies involving suspicious deaths, collaborating closely with Homicide. A skilled medical examiner, Ronnie is committed to ensuring every homicide victim receives a meticulous investigation. She balances her intensive workload with raising her adolescent children and is highly regarded by colleagues, particularly Jennifer and Nick.

Josh Waverley (William Jarratt, seasons 1–2), the teenage son of Bernice, initially appears well-mannered but later faces difficulties due to bullying and violence. The Shannon Pierce case places strain on his relationship with Bernice amid allegations of her corruption. His storyline concludes tragically in season two when Pierce’s brother inflicts self-harm by slashing his wrists, profoundly impacting Bernice.

Sergeant Karen Hatzic (Louise Crawford, seasons 1–3) performs essential police support tasks for Homicide investigations such as managing files, guarding detainees, and organizing canvassing efforts. In season two, she survives a hostage crisis involving Jennifer and Wilton and promptly resumes her duties.

Detective Senior Sergeant Wilton Sparkes (Marshall Napier, seasons 1–2, 4) commands an auxiliary Homicide unit responsible for administrative work and minor cases, often regarded disparagingly within the department. His personal life is complicated by his wife Lorraine’s affair with Simon; although he uncovers this betrayal, he suffers a heart attack before reporting it to Stanley. Upon returning to the main squad under Stanley’s leadership, Sparkes establishes a functional relationship with Simon but is demoted early in season two after leaking confidential information in pursuit of a reward. He makes a brief return in season four during an investigation within his jurisdiction. Known for his sexist and outdated views, Sparkes has strained interactions with Jennifer and Allie.

Recurring cast

Performer	Role	Appearance span
Miles Paras	Senior Constable Phillippa Stern	seasons 2 through 4
Carolyn Bock	Linda Wolfe	seasons 1 to 3
Meredith Penman	Emma Treadgold	seasons 2 to 4
Gil Tucker	Dr. Sam "Mack the Knife" McIntyre	seasons 1 to 3
Fiona Corke	Judith Welling	seasons 1 and 2
Cameron Nugent	Paul Winston	seasons 1 through 4
Nick Jamieson	Senior Constable Todd Croft	seasons 3 to 5

Guest appearances

Performer	Role	Episodes featured
Alex Menglet	Walter Pankor	single episode
Amanda Muggleton	Cathy Booth	Episode: "Lie Down with Dogs"
Andrew Blackman	Scott Cousins	single episode
Anna Lise Phillips	Kylie Barnett	single episode
Blair McDonough	Cameron Gunning	Season 2, episode: "Golden"
Brett Climo	Victor Carling	single episode
Brett Swain	Mick Conlon	single episode
Bruce Spence	Maurice	single episode
Caroline Brazier	Frances Deerborne	Episode: "Family Planning"
Costas Kilias	Kostas Emmanouel	Season 4, episode 13: "Once Bitten"
Craig McLachlan	Leon Grasby	Season 2, episode: "Golden"
Damien Bodie	Ben Corrigan
Daniel Collopy	Clive Manning	two episodes
Daniela Farinacci	Marion Palmer	Season 1, episode: "Baby Love"
Danielle Carter	Celia Joyner / Danielle Fraser	two episodes
Debra Byrne	Marijke Sharman	single episode

Weekly ratings

Presented below is a detailed overview of the weekly viewership figures for the series. Season two is divided into two segments as it was broadcast over two separate television seasons.

The statistics represent data solely from the five Metropolitan regions.

Performer	Role	Episodes featured

# (Series)	#	Episode	AU air date	Timeslot	Viewers (m)	Nightly rank	Weekly rank

Home media

The entire series has been made available on DVD. Notably, the Season 3 DVD set includes the initial eight episodes of Season 4, while the Season 4 DVD comprises the remaining episodes of that season along with the six-part miniseries titled No Greater Honour.

Currently, these DVD editions are out of print. In June 2022, Via Vision Entertainment revealed plans to reissue the full City Homicide collection on September 7, 2022.

DVD Release

Season	Release Date	Number of Episodes	Discs	Special Features	Distributor
Complete First Series	2 September 2009	14	4	None	Roadshow Entertainment
Complete Second Series	1 July 2010	22	6	None	Roadshow Entertainment
Complete Third Series	18 November 2010	26	6	None	Roadshow Entertainment
Complete Fourth Series & No Greater Honour Mini Series	21 April 2011	22	5	None	Roadshow Entertainment
Complete Series (Seasons One to Four)	14 September 2014	84	21	None	Roadshow Entertainment
Complete Series	7 September 2022	84	21	None	Via Vision Entertainment
Complete Series	4 September 2024	84	21	TBC	Via Vision Entertainment

Online streaming

Title	Format	Number of episodes	Release date	Availability status	Platforms
City Homicide: Season 01	Streaming	14	September 2018	No longer available	7plus
City Homicide: Season 02	Streaming	18	September 2018	No longer available	7plus
City Homicide: Season 03	Streaming	22	September 2018	No longer available	7plus
City Homicide: Season 04	Streaming	22	September 2018	No longer available	7plus
City Homicide: Season 05	Streaming	8	September 2018	No longer available	7plus

Broadcast and distribution

Country	Channel	Broadcast time
Australia	Seven Network	Wednesdays at 9:30 pm
New Zealand	TVNZ 1	Mondays at 10:55 pm
Canada	Super Channel	Thursdays at 10 pm
Denmark	DR1	Weeknights
Norway	TVNorge
Estonia	Fox Crime
France	France 3	Fridays at 11:25 pm
Ireland	RTÉ One	Sundays at 4:30 am
Netherlands	Veronica TV
Africa	Daar Communications
Template:Country data Iran	IRIB TV1	Sundays at 10:15 pm
Template:Flagcountry	Hulu Plus, and until the conclusion of Season 4, Amazon Prime	Available via streaming platforms

External links

• City Homicide on The TV IV website
• City Homicide at Australian Television Information Archive