Making Waves (TV series)
British naval drama cut short after two episodes.
Making Waves was a British television drama from Carlton Television, airing on ITV. Ted Childs and Richard Maher created the show, which followed the professional and personal lives aboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Suffolk. After spending several years in development, the series finally premiered on 11 July 2004. Poor ratings led ITV to pull it from the schedule after just two episodes, leaving the remaining four episodes unaired in the United Kingdom. A limited-edition DVD containing all six episodes was released on 26 September 2005.
The story begins with HMS Suffolk facing Flag Officer Sea Training in four weeks. An accident during training forces the dismissal of the executive officer and the resignation of the captain. The new commander, Martin Brooke, played by Alex Ferns, takes over and works to get the ship and crew ready for their final assessment. Other plotlines include Leading Marine Engineer Artificer Dave Finnan (Paul Chequer) navigating a relationship with his Charge Chief’s daughter Teresa; Mickey Sobanski (Lee Turnbull) dealing with the aftermath of a failed rescue; new rating Rosie Bowen (Joanna Page) adjusting to life at sea; and a cross-ranks romance between officer Sam Quartermaine (Adam Rayner) and medic Anita Cook (Angel Coulby). Comic relief comes from characters "Scouse" Phillips (Darren Morfitt) and Leading Chef Art Francis (Lee Boardman). The ship is primarily based in Portsmouth but participates in war games and hazardous rescues in the English Channel.
The cast also included Emily Hamilton as Lieutenant Commander Jenny Howard, who initially serves as temporary executive officer before accepting Brooke’s offer to stay. Ian Bartholomew played Lieutenant Commander William Lewis, the Marine Engineering Officer, whose refusal to fully maintain the engines frustrates Charge Chief Andy Fellows (Steve Speirs) and even more so Dave Finnan. Other characters include Terry "Buffer" Duncan (Geoff Bell), whose career is threatened by an assault accusation in the third episode; Leading Regulator Liz Wilson (Diane Beck), who develops an unreciprocated crush on Bowen; and Lieutenant James Maguire (Stephen Kennedy), the Principal Warfare Officer who eventually discovers Quartermaine and Cook’s relationship.
The series was developed in the late 1990s by Ted Childs, Richard Maher, and Carlton, following the success of *Soldier Soldier*. Carlton’
- First broadcast
- 11 July 2004
- Episodes
- 6 (4 unaired on UK television)
- Creator
- Ted Childs and Richard Maher
Lore & Background
Making Waves was developed in the late 1990s by Ted Childs and Richard Maher for Carlton Television, initially turned down by ITV as 'old-fashioned'. After failed negotiations with the BBC, ITV commissioned a six-episode series in July 2002. The Royal Navy provided extensive cooperation, with Commander Kevin Fincher appointed as specialist project officer. Filming took place on HMS Grafton (standing in for HMS Suffolk) and around HMNB Portsmouth from March to June 2003. The series starred Alex Ferns as Commander Martin Brooke and Emily Hamilton as Lieutenant Commander Jenny Howard, with an ensemble cast including actors from EastEnders and Coronation Street.
Reader's Guide
Making Waves is notable as a short-lived attempt to revive the naval drama genre in British television. Despite full Royal Navy support and a cast of familiar actors, the series failed to attract viewers and was pulled after three episodes. Its limited-edition DVD release in December 2004 preserved all six episodes, making the complete series available to fans. The show's development struggles—including a rejected pitch to the BBC and years in development hell—highlight the challenges of commissioning period or military dramas in the early 2000s. Its cancellation underscores the risk networks take with expensive location-based productions that fail to find an audience.
Did You Know?
- The frigate HMS Grafton stood in for HMS Suffolk during filming.
- The series was shot on 16mm film, not digital DV cameras.
- A limited-edition DVD of all six episodes was released on 26 September 2005.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Making Waves?
Making Waves is a British naval drama produced by Carlton Television for ITV, created by Ted Childs and Richard Maher. It dramatizes the day-to-day professional and personal lives of the crew serving aboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Suffolk.
Why was Making Waves cancelled after only two episodes?
ITV dropped the series from its schedule after the first two broadcasts attracted disappointing viewership figures. The remaining four episodes were never transmitted on UK television, though all six were eventually included on a limited-edition DVD that hit shelves in September 2005.
When did Making Waves first air?
The series premiered on ITV on 11 July 2004, having spent several years in development before it finally reached broadcast.
Which ship is the setting of Making Waves?
Every episode takes place aboard HMS Suffolk, a Royal Navy frigate, and follows the officers and ratings as they balance their duties at sea with their off-duty personal relationships.
Who are the creators of Making Waves?
Ted Childs and Richard Maher developed the series, which Carlton Television produced for the ITV network.
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