Digging into the TV Archives: Rush (2009)

Hulu has proven to be a delightfully awesome source for Australian television. Since I can remember, I’ve always eaten up the dozens of television shows which seem to flood out of the United Kingdom, but I have never had the opportunity to explore beyond that tiny little corner of Europe. Well, Hulu changed all of that. One of my first discoveries was a little Australian police procedural, Rush. And it’s amazing.

Rush debuted in 2008, and follows the daily life and drama of a team of tactical officers working out of Melbourne. The nearest comparison I can make is to a S.W.A.T team. This group is typically called in when the situation is a level above that of the street level police officer. Rush ran for four season before ending in 2011.

I ate up the show, binge watching all four seasons in (what turned out to be) record time for your’s truly. There’s romance, drama, a hint of comedy, and lots of attractive men with Australian accents running around in police uniforms. (Sorry... let the schoolgirl in me out. Down girl!)

The stand-out performer to emerge from the show (at least for me) was Ashley Zukerman, who played young officer Michael Sandrelli. This was only the start of Zukerman’s career. American audiences might know him as Charlie Isaacs in the WGN period drama Manhattan (blog entry on this, soon to come). He also appeared in the blink and you miss it 13 episode run of NBC’s 2011 sci-fi drama Terra Nova. This writer has also been enjoying his work on The Code. I’m currently bingeing the first season of the Australian thriller, and Zukerman’s performance is award worthy, to say the least. (The first season is available on Hulu).

Rush actors Rodger Corser and Ashley Zukerman.

In my “Why Haven’t We Seen More of Them” segment, I would like to plead for more Rodger Corser on my television screen.  Corser plays Sr. Sgt. Lawson Blake and is the leader, mentor, (and sometimes love interest) for the team. Corser has been a mainstay on Australian screen’s, first appearing around 2000. Some greatest hits of his filmography: Underbelly, Puberty Blues and Party Tricks. He had a brief foray onto American television in the 2013 NBC hour long, Camp. The series was unfortunately short lived, ending after 10 episodes. (Miss. Fisher fans can see Corser as Captain Lyle Compton on season three, episode two of the series “Murder and the Maiden”). This writer would like to see more of this talented and charismatic actor. Hint... hint... Hollywood talent types.

This is just a brief write-up on a stellar show with an incredibly talented supporting cast. I could write pages on the work of all the performers, and there could be more to come from me on this. If you are a fan of police procedurals, I would definitely take a look at Rush. All four seasons are available for streaming on Hulu.