Winter (TV series)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television |
| Founded | February 4, 2015 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Television program |
| Website | 7plus |
Winter is an Australian television series blending mystery, drama, and thriller elements. It debuted on the Seven Network on 4 February 2015 and concluded its run on 11 March 2015. This show serves as a continuation of the 2014 telemovie The Killing Field, featuring Rebecca Gibney and Peter O'Brien reprising their original characters.
Plot
Set in Sydney's Kings Cross, the story begins with Indiana Hope (Sara West), a troubled young woman working in a strip club, who becomes the victim of a hit-and-run incident. Concurrently, the body of Karly Johansson is discovered on rocks beneath a cliff following her murder. Detective Sergeant Eve Winter (Rebecca Gibney), returning from a break after closing a major case, is assigned to investigate Karly’s homicide in the coastal town of Rocky Point. While there, Eve reconnects with her husband Luke Thompson (Zac Drayson), Karly’s family members, and the determined Detective Alesia Taylor (Antonia Prebble). Detective Sergeant Lachlan McKenzie (Peter O'Brien) suspects links between this case and an unsolved murder from eight years prior involving Paul Paget, who later takes his own life.
Eve also probes into Indiana's hit-and-run and crosses paths with Detective Sergeant Jake Harris (Matt Nable), with whom she shares a fraught history. Indiana narrowly escapes an assault at the hospital. As investigations deepen, it is revealed that Karly and Indiana shared a close friendship. Indiana’s true identity is Katherine Indiana Hope Ziegler, daughter of Peter Ziegler, the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has distanced himself from her to safeguard his public standing.
To aid in recovering Indiana’s suppressed memories, Eve enlists her sister Melanie Winter (Rachel Gordon), a child psychiatrist skilled in hypnosis. Suspicion falls on Karly’s husband Luke when his involvement in drug trafficking comes to light; he is subsequently framed for murder following the death of Emma Lam.
Indiana endures further attacks and personal tragedies, including the loss of her roommate Sharni. The assailant is ultimately killed during a police pursuit. Lachlan grows wary of fellow officer Steve Wheeler but is shot by him; Steve is later apprehended.
Indiana confronts her estranged father Peter about his refusal to acknowledge her rape by Bjorn Johansson (Lewis Fitz-Gerald), Karly’s dying father, prioritizing his reputation over justice. After a tense standoff resolved by Eve, Peter consents to refrain from pressing charges against Indiana.
Back in Rocky Point, Eve and Indiana question Karly’s sister Lauren (Kate Mulvany), who confesses to killing Karly to conceal an incestuous relationship with Bjorn that resulted in the birth of her son Sam. Lauren is taken into custody while Sam finds solace with his legal guardian Travis.
The series concludes with Eve and Jake sharing a moment outside the courthouse, hinting at future cooperation.
Main
- Rebecca Gibney as Detective Sergeant Eve Winter
- Peter O'Brien as Detective Inspector Lachlan McKenzie
- Matt Nable as Federal Agent Jake Harris
- Antonia Prebble as Detective Alesia Taylor
- Akos Armont as Detective Milo Lee
- Sara West as Indiana Hope/Katherine Ziegler
Recurring Cast
- Richard Healy portraying Steve Wheeler
- Rachel Gordon as Melanie Winter
- Zac Drayson in the role of Luke Thompson
- Tessa Lind playing Karly Thompson
- Tara Morice as Judith Johansson
- Lewis Fitz-Gerald taking on Bjorn Johansson
- Kate Mulvany as Lauren McIntyre
- Jack Finsterer portraying Paul Paget
- Lindsay Farris in the role of Martin Jenkins
- Dee Smart as Penny Bartok
Viewership Ratings
| Episode | Title | Original Air Date | Overnight Viewers (millions) | Consolidated Viewers (millions) | Nightly Ranking | Adjusted Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Skeletons" | 4 February 2015 | 1.125 | 1.309 | #2 | #2 |
| 2 | "Gone Girl" | 11 February 2015 | 0.918 | 1.097 | #7 | #2 |
| 3 | "The Bridge" | 18 February 2015 | 0.817 | 0.968 | #8 | #5 |
| 4 | "The Inside Man" | 25 February 2015 | 0.731 | 0.946 | #10 | #4 |
| 5 | "Blow Up" | 4 March 2015 | 0.804 | 0.989 | #6 | #2 |
| 6 | "Back to the Start" | 11 March 2015 | 0.819 | 1.007 | #7 | #2 |
- Data sourced from OzTAM covering five metropolitan areas.
- Overnight figures represent live broadcasts plus recordings viewed on the same evening.
- Consolidated numbers include live viewing and recordings accessed within a seven-day period.
Production Details
Filming took place between October 2014 and January 2015.
This six-episode series was developed internally by producers Chris Martin-Jones, Rebecca Gibney, and Sarah Smith for the Seven Network, with creation credits to Michaeley O'Brien and Sarah Smith.
Broadcast Syndication
The season became available on subscription television through 13th Street starting on 31 May 2016.