Riptide (2022 TV series)

Riptide

Company type	Television series
Industry	Television
Founded	2022 (2022)
Founder	Jason Herbison
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia / United Kingdom
Products	Psychological thriller television series
Parent	Fremantle Australia (co-producer)

Riptide is a psychological thriller television series from 2022, co-produced by British and Australian companies. Created by Jason Herbison and directed by Scott Major, it was broadcast in the UK on Channel 5 across four consecutive evenings starting 27 December 2022. In Australia, the series made its debut on Network 10 on 28 June 2023. The narrative centers on Alison Weston, whose husband Sean vanishes under mysterious circumstances while surfing. The cast includes Jo Joyner, Peter O'Brien, Ciarán Griffiths, David Berry, Ben Turland, and Asher Yasbincek. Filming occurred throughout Victoria, encompassing Melbourne and Network 10’s studios in Nunawading, during August 2022.

Plot

Alison has recently entered into marriage with Sean Weston, an Australian. Their children encounter difficulties adjusting to the new family setup, while Alison’s former spouse attempts to reconnect. Sean’s sudden disappearance during a morning surf session prompts uncertainty about whether it was accidental or something more sinister.

Cast

• Jo Joyner as Alison Weston
• Peter O'Brien as Sean Weston
• Ciarán Griffiths as Michael Lane
• David Berry as Dan Burrell/Simon Cameron
• Ben Turland as Ethan Weston
• Asher Yasbincek as Hannah Lane
• Ally Fowler as Rachel Weston
• Yazeed Daher as Logan Williams
• Sonya Suares as Sergeant Bhomik
• Pia Miranda as Jenny Clarke
• Benjamin Samaddar as Jesse Patel
• Max Brown as Finn Baker
• Patrick Harvey as Andrew White
• Patrick Williams as Philip Eldersly
• Emma Choy as Naomi Burrell
• Toby Lang as Constable Lang
• Ashley Stocco as Detective Abela
• Adam McConvell as Detective Da Silva
• Judy Beaumont as Sara Wiseman
• Hannah Ogawa as Melody Ling
• Scott Major as Daniel Burrell

Production

Following the success of Lie With Me in 2021, Riptide was commissioned and stands as one of two drama projects produced by Fremantle Australia for Channel 5 in collaboration with Australia's Network Ten. The series was created and produced by Jason Herbison alongside Natalie Mandel. Herbison commented: "I’m delighted to extend the collaboration with Channel 5 and Network 10 to bring Riptide to fruition. It represents a fusion of top British and Australian talent both in front of and behind the camera." The writing team included Herbison, Margaret Wilson, and Anthony Ellis.

Announced on 14 July 2022, the principal cast features British actress Jo Joyner portraying Alison Weston, described as "a warm and complex character whose life is dramatically disrupted." Her Australian husband Sean Weston is played by Peter O'Brien. Alison’s ex-husband Michael Lane is portrayed by Ciarán Griffiths, while neighbour Dan Burrell is played by David Berry. Their children Ethan and Hannah are brought to life by Ben Turland and Asher Yasbincek. Other significant cast members include Ally Fowler, Pia Miranda, Yazeed Daher, Benjamin Samaddar, and Sonya Suares. Supporting roles are filled by Max Brown, Patrick Harvey, Patrick Williams, Emma Choy, Toby Lang, Ashley Stocco, Adam McConvell, Judy Beaumont, and Hannah Ogawa.

Under the direction of Scott Major, filming commenced in early August 2022 and wrapped up on 22 August. Production locations spanned various sites across Victoria such as Melbourne, Mount Eliza, and the Dandenong Ranges, with additional scenes captured at Network 10’s Nunawading studios—previously utilized for Neighbours. The project received financial support from VicScreen.

A promotional trailer was unveiled in November 2022. The series aired in the UK over four straight nights beginning 27 December 2022 and premiered on Network 10 in Australia on 28 June 2023.

Reception

Prior to its debut, Morgan Cormack of the Radio Times described the series as "genuinely foreboding" based on its preview trailer. Jane Rackham found it "captivating," emphasizing its transformation from a high-end soap opera into a gripping mystery revolving around Sean’s vanishing while surfing.

Emily Watkins from the i awarded Riptide three stars out of five, mentioning a complex storyline that occasionally felt overloaded, such as during the congested funeral sequence. She commended the well-executed pacing and standout performances by O'Brien and Joyner, which brought nuance to largely unsympathetic characters. Watkins remained cautiously hopeful about the forthcoming episodes.

In contrast, James Jackson of The Times rated the show two out of five stars, criticizing it as a lackluster "down under drama" and unfavorably comparing it to "a dark Neighbours special." While he recognized Jo Joyner’s strong portrayal, he concluded that the series failed to engage overall.

External links

• Riptide at My5