This drama series from the BBC centred on the working and personal lives of the crew of the fictional Norsco oil rig Osprey Explorer in the North Sea.
Kieran Prendiville (late of Tomorrow’s Worldand That’s Life) took two years researching the story and there was much drama due to the very nature of the subject, with hurricane-force gales, sub-zero temperatures and the forced intimacy of workers flown from the real world (two weeks on, two weeks off) to an island on stilts where safety and survival were never taken for granted.
Six episodes were broadcast in June and July 1994, with a subsequent seven episodes aired in November and December 1995.
Offshore filming took place on the oil rig Dan Countess, which was not in use at the time.
Tessa Buckingham
Teresa Banham Ceefax
Colum Convey Ian
Paul Copley Tom
James Cosmo Chris
Liam Cunningham Hilary
Francesca Hunt Heather
Ashley Jensen Terry
Bruce Jones Drew McAllister
John McGlynn Izzy
Anne Raitt Kevin
George Rossi Archie
Clive Russell Wilf
Hywel Simons Cinders
Ricky Tomlinson Davey
Alec Westwood Edvard
Martin Wenner Cath
Katy Murphy Telegram Sam
John Kazek
