Rescue: Special Ops

Rescue: Special Ops is set around Sydney and follows a compact team of veteran paramedics who specialise in high-risk rescue work. Each episode throws them into technical, time-sensitive operations — think cliff and water recoveries, collapsed buildings, and industrial accidents — where method and skill matter as much as courage. Storylines pair action-heavy rescue scenes with quieter moments that show how shifts, trauma, and split-second choices affect friendships and family life. The cast includes Jordan Zwitkowski, Lara Knight, Heidi Wilson, and the Gallagher brothers, and the show keeps the focus on teamwork, professionalism, and realistic procedures without spilling into sensationalism.

The series premiered on the Nine Network on 2 August 2009 and was filmed in and around Sydney. It was produced by Southern Star Group with support from Screen Australia and the New South Wales Government, and was created by Sarah Smith and Julie McGauran. Three seasons aired, with the final run in 2011.

The show didn’t secure major international awards, and it's not widely listed among big prize winners. That said, it found a steady audience at home and received modest industry attention for its technical work and authentic depiction of rescue operations.

Rescue: Special Ops left a mark on Australian TV for its hands-on approach to emergency storytelling. Viewers remember the practical stunt work and the insistence on credible procedures, and the series helped raise the profile of several cast members in local drama circles. Its sequences and production values set a standard other domestic action-dramas have referenced.

Critics and fans tended to praise the show’s emphasis on procedure, the chemistry within the rescue team, and the realistic portrayal of occupational strain. Audience ratings on some platforms are strong, for example a 9.0/10 from 12 votes. Themes include professional duty versus personal cost, the limits of control in emergencies, and how trust is built under pressure.