The Gulf (TV series)

Last updated
The Gulf
Thegulftitlecard.jpg
Genre Crime drama [1]
Created by
Written by
  • Paula Boock
  • Donna Malane
Starring
Opening theme"Body of Water" by Moniker and Hollie Fullbrook
Ending theme"Body of Water" by Moniker and Hollie Fullbrook
ComposerMoniker
Country of origin
  • New Zealand
  • Germany
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes14 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Philly de Lacey
  • Christian Friedrichs
  • Donna Malane
  • Paula Boock
  • Frank Seyberth
  • Sue Woodfield
  • Andrew Szusterman
  • Katrin Goetter
  • Henning Kamm
  • Claus Wunn
Producers
  • Donna Malane
  • Paula Boock
  • Bridget Bourke
Production locations Auckland and Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Cinematography
  • Dave Cameron
  • Rewa Harre
Editors
  • Jochen FitzHerbert
  • Gretchen Peterson
  • Eric De Beus
Running time45 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
Release26 August 2019 (2019-08-26) 
19 April 2021 (2021-04-19)

The Gulf is a New Zealand-based crime drama television series, first broadcast on the Three network on 26 August 2019. The series, described as New Zealand's answer to "scandi-noir", [2] follows troubled investigator DSS Jess Savage, played by Kate Elliott, who solves cases on her home of Waiheke Island, all whilst trying to piece together the events surrounding the death of her husband in a seemingly routine car crash. The title refers to the Hauraki Gulf which separates the island from the mainland.

Contents

Following a successful debut run in 2019, [1] the series was commissioned for a second run in early 2020, premiering on March 1, 2021. [3] Outside of New Zealand, the series has been sold to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video in the United States and Sundance Now. The series also broadcast on Alibi in the UK, with the first series airing from February 26, 2020, with each two-part story combined into one single broadcast. The second series premiered on December 15, 2021. [4]

Cast

Episodes

Series 1 (2019)

EpisodeTitleWritten byDirected byOriginal airdate
1"Nathan ― Part 1 [5] "Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCharlie Haskell26 August 2019 (2019-08-26)
Twelve-year-old Nathan Baum reappears, having disappeared five years previously during a school trip. DSS Jess Savage, back at work following the death of her husband in a car crash, and having suffered amnesia herself, struggles to piece together the failings of the original investigation, until a flashback suggests that Nathan may not be the only child who was abducted.
2"Nathan ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCharlie Haskell2 September 2019 (2019-09-02)
As the hunt for Lucy gets underway, Jess tasks Justin with re-interviewing all of the former witnesses. But just as the timeline leading up to Nathan's disappearance seems weaker than ever, Justin has a forensic breakthrough which leads the team to the doorstep of the abductor.
3"Dividend ― Part 1"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneGaysorn Thavat9 September 2019 (2019-09-09)
Jess' suspicions over Bennington's involvement in the Nathan Baum case begin to escalate. Her efforts to expose her former boss are hampered when a distraught father turns up on her doorstep begging for her help to find his missing daughter. A shock revelation threatens to upset the relationship between Jess and Ruby.
4"Dividend ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneGaysorn Thavat16 September 2019 (2019-09-16)
When a decomposed body washes up on the beach, the investigation takes a startling turn. A fellow partygoer is later reported missing, and video footage from the evening in question shines a light on two potential suspects. A secret from Justin's past comes back to haunt him.
5"Hunters ― Part 1"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneRobert Sarkies23 September 2019 (2019-09-23)
The shooting of a Maori man by a retired detective following a botched burglary leads to increased tensions amongst the residents of Waiheke Island, least of all Jess - whose memory is starting to return. Meanwhile, the investigation has personal ramifications for Rory.
6"Hunters ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneRobert Sarkies30 September 2019 (2019-09-30)
Justin is forced to step up in light of Jess' absence, but as her story finally begins to unravel, someone threatens to reveal her most treasured secret.

Series 2 (2021)

EpisodeTitleWritten byDirected byOriginal airdate
1"Abduction ― Part 1"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCharlie Haskell1 March 2021 (2021-03-01)
2"Abduction ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCharlie Haskell8 March 2021 (2021-03-08)
3"Te Ao Uenuku ― Part 1"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneRobert Sarkies15 March 2021 (2021-03-15)
4"Te Ao Uenuku ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneRobert Sarkies22 March 2021 (2021-03-22)
5"Immigration ― Part 1"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneHelena Brooks29 March 2021 (2021-03-29)
6"Immigration ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCharlie Haskell5 April 2021 (2021-04-05)
7"Inheritance ― Part 1"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCaroline Bell Booth12 April 2021 (2021-04-12)
8"Inheritance ― Part 2"Paula Boock & Donna MillaneCaroline Bell Booth19 April 2021 (2021-04-19)

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References

  1. 1 2 Greive, Duncan (August 26, 2019). "Review: The Gulf is a genuinely world-class crime drama set on Waiheke island". The Spinoff.
  2. "The Gulf: NZ's answer to Scandi-noir makes a welcome return to Three". Stuff. March 1, 2021.
  3. "The Gulf Season 2" via www.youtube.com.
  4. "Alibi Sets UK Premiere Date For 'The Gulf' Season 2". November 25, 2021.
  5. "The Gulf Season 1". Radio Times.