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Roughnecks

Roughnecks

★ 7.3/10•1994•50m•Comedy•Drama
Similars

Roughnecks is a BBC comedy-drama series that ran over two series between 1994 and 1995 on BBC One. The show centred on the working and personal lives of those who worked on the fictional oil rig "The Osprey Explorer" in the North Sea.

Bryan Elsley · Writer

Steve Coombes · Writer

Aisling Walsh · Director

Kieran Prendiville · Creator

StatusEnded
Runtime50m
LanguageEN
First Air DateJun 16, 1994

Episodes

E150m

Episode 1

We meet the crew of Roughnecks as they head out to the Osprey Explorer oil rig off the coast of Scotland in the North Sea. There are two newcomers to the ranks; Hilary and Wilf aka Village. Later, another woman, Tessa joins the crew as longstanding mechanic Charlie dies of a heart attack having watched a porno

Jun 16, 1994

E250m

Episode 2

The crew visit a neighbouring rig for the annual quiz night. Pitted against Osprey's Ceefax is the arrogant Aussie know all, Joe 90 (Ben Mendelsohn). Meanwhile Tessa makes Charlie's widow's dreams come true...thanks to a little emotional blackmail on Drew. Cinders survival refresher means the Osprey is without a chef, but Village surprises everyone with his Italian cuisine.

Jun 23, 1994

E350m

Episode 3

Shore leave for the Roughnecks; Hilary decides to join Ian for some hillwalking but a mistake with the hotel booking means they must share a room. Tom's daughter Heather is getting very close to Chris, despite Tom's reservations, and there's heartache for Archie when he learns his estranged wife Jean may have been assaulted by her new man, Bob.

Jun 30, 1994

E450m

Episode 4

A female reporter visits Osprey Explorer keen to get a story, but ends up getting under Chris' skin. When it becomes clear her intentions are to get the dirt on how Charlie died, she finds herself out in the cold. Tessa breaks her foot putting the crew's bonus of a mini portable colour TV each into jeopardy. Meanwhile Chris and Heather get closer.

Jul 7, 1994

E550m

Episode 5

Chris and Heather return from Spain and announce their intention to marry. Tom is furious and lashes out at Chris, but their differences must be put aside as they head offshore. Ian's concerns over safety on the rig proves justified when a crisis develops and several of the crew are evacuated by helicopter. Just when the crisis seems to be averted, further disaster strikes...

Jul 14, 1994

E650m

Episode 6

Grief, trauma and suspicion lie in wake for the crew following the helicopter crash. The finger of blame points to Chris, as an investigation into the disaster gets underway, whilst Hilary takes the news of Ian's death hard. On the mainland, Chris and Heather tie the knot.

Jul 21, 1994

Actors

James Cosmo

James Cosmo

Tom

Liam Cunningham

Liam Cunningham

Chris

Paul Copley

Paul Copley

Ian

Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson

Cinders

Clive Russell

Clive Russell

Archie

George Rossi

Kevin

Bruce Jones

Bruce Jones

Terry

Colum Convey

Colum Convey

Ceefax

Teresa Banham

Teresa Banham

Tessa

Francesca Hunt

Francesca Hunt

Hilary

Alec Westwood

Alec Westwood

Davey

Anne Raitt

Anne Raitt

Izzy

Ashley Jensen

Ashley Jensen

Heather

Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy

Cath

John McGlynn

Drew

Martin Wenner

Martin Wenner

Edward Bergman

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