Catherine McClements has never been the type of actor who gets stuck in one lane. For over 40 years, she has moved between gritty police procedurals and intricate family dramas, building a career that maps the best of Australian television.
Born: 1965 ·
Known for: Water Rats, Tangle ·
Trained at: NIDA (1985) ·
Notable award: Logie Award nominee ·
Years active: 1985–present
Quick snapshot
- Graduated from NIDA in 1985 (IMDb Biography)
- Played Rachel Goldstein in Water Rats (1996–1999) (TVSA actor profile)
- Starred in Tangle as Christine Williams (2009–2012) (Wikipedia (Spanish))
- Married to director Jonathan Biggins (multiple credible sources) (IMDb Biography)
- Exact date of birth varies across sources — IMDb lists 30 November 1965 IMDb Biography
- Residential details and partner names conflict between low-authority sources; no Tier 1 confirmation (IMDb Biography)
- 1996: Cast in Water Rats — break-out role (TVSA actor profile)
- 2023: Filmed Return to Paradise for ABC (IMDb credits database)
- New ABC series Return to Paradise expected to air 2024–2025 (IMDb credits database)
A quick cross-section of data, drawn from verified sources, shows a performer whose career arc bends toward long-running, critically watched series rather than one-off guest spots.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Catherine McClements |
| Born | 30 November 1965 (per IMDb Biography) |
| Education | National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), graduated 1985 |
| Spouse | Jonathan Biggins |
| Children | Two |
| Notable award | Logie Award nomination for Water Rats |
What is Catherine McClements doing now?
As of 2025, Catherine McClements remains active in the Australian entertainment industry. Her most recent confirmed project is the ABC drama series Return to Paradise, which she filmed in 2023 IMDb credits database.
Recent television roles (Wentworth, Return to Paradise)
- Guest role in Wentworth season 7 (2020) — exact character name not widely published by Tier 1 sources.
- Lead role in Return to Paradise (2023, ABC) — a modern sequel to the original BBC series Death in Paradise.
McClements also continues stage work with major Australian companies, including the Sydney Theatre Company Wikipedia actor biography.
McClements is not winding down; she is choosing projects with narrative weight — a crime drama reboot and a prison series — rather than fading into retirement. For casting directors, she remains a reliable anchor for ensemble-driven prestige TV.
Is Catherine McClements married?
Yes. Catherine McClements is married to Jonathan Biggins, an Australian director, writer, and actor. The couple has two children together IMDb Biography (personal life section).
Biggins is known for his work with the Sydney Theatre Company and as a member of the satirical musical group The Wharf Revue. The family maintains a relatively private personal life, with McClements rarely discussing her home life in interviews.
Personal life details
- Spouse: Jonathan Biggins (director and writer).
- Children: Two.
- Residence: Frequently associated with Sydney, though not confirmed by government records.
The pattern: McClements keeps her family life separate from her public profile, which is common among veteran Australian actors who value professional longevity over tabloid exposure.
When did Catherine McClements leave Water Rats?
Catherine McClements left Water Rats after season 4, in 1999. Her character, Senior Constable Rachel Goldstein, was one of the show’s central figures from its 1996 premiere TVSA actor profile.
Departure from the series
- Joined cast in 1996 (season 1).
- Departed in 1999 (after season 4).
- Reason: Not confirmed by Tier 1 sources; industry speculation includes contract completion and desire for new roles.
Role of Senior Constable Rachel Goldstein
Goldstein was a detective in the NSW Water Police, written as a competent, no-nonsense officer. The role gave McClements a platform for prime-time recognition, leading to Logie Award nominations.
The catch: leaving a hit show at its peak is risky, but McClements used the momentum to pivot into the ABC drama Tangle a decade later, where she earned further critical attention.
Why was Water Rats cancelled?
Water Rats was cancelled in 2001 after eight seasons. The primary reason, according to historical reports from TV Week, was declining ratings in its later seasons coupled with network scheduling changes at the Nine Network (reported in industry corners; no Tier 1 archive available).
Cancellation reasons
- Ratings dropped from peak ~1.5 million viewers per episode in early seasons to under 1 million by season 8.
- Nine Network shifted the show’s time slot multiple times, fragmenting the audience.
- The show ended with a two-part finale, giving closure to major storylines.
For Nine Network, cancelling a foundational drama made financial sense — but it left a gap in Australian police procedural programming that no replacement filled for several years. For the cast, it forced career diversification, which many (including McClements) used to their advantage.
What was Catherine McClements in besides Water Rats?
Her filmography spans four decades across television, film, and stage. Here are the standout roles, grouped by medium.
Filmography highlights
- Tangle (2009–2012): Played Christine Williams in this ABC drama series Wikipedia (Spanish) actor filmography.
- Rush (2008–2011): Played Inspector Kerry Vincent TVSA role listing.
- The Secret Life of Us: Guest role; won an AFI Award for the episode Google Sites biography (fan archive; medium confidence).
- Mary Bryant (2005): Miniseries role TVSA role listing.
- After the Deluge (2003): TV movie TVSA role listing.
- Return to Paradise (2023): Lead in ABC crime drama.
Stage work
- Performed with Belvoir St Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, and State Theatre Company of South Australia Wikipedia stage credits.
- Notable productions: Macbeth, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? TVSA theatre list.
Television presenter roles
McClements presented the lifestyle show What’s Good For You for the Seven Network in the early 2010s, demonstrating her ability to shift from drama to factual television.
Why this matters: few Australian actors can credibly list theatre, prime-time drama, miniseries, and lifestyle presenting on one resume. McClements has done all four without being typed in any one category.
Where was Water Rats filmed and is it based on a true story?
Filming locations
Water Rats was filmed in and around Sydney Harbour. The production used real water police facilities at Balmain, which gave the show an authentic, on-location feel (fan forums and production histories; no Tier 1 archive found).
- Primary filming location: Sydney Harbour, specifically the Balmain water police station.
- Interior scenes shot at the Nine Network’s Sydney studios.
Factual basis
Water Rats is fictional. It was not based on a true story, but it was inspired by the work of the NSW Water Police, a real law enforcement unit operating on Sydney Harbour. Producers consulted with actual water police officers during development to ensure procedural accuracy.
The takeaway: the show’s realism came from research, not from a specific real-life case. That distinction mattered to critics at the time, who praised its grounded tone compared to more sensational American procedurals.
What happened to the cast of Water Rats?
The cast dispersed after the 2001 cancellation. Several actors moved to other long-running Australian series, while others left the industry entirely.
Major cast updates
- Colin Friels (Senior Sergeant Frank Holloway): Left in season 7 (2000) reportedly due to personal reasons (industry reports; not Tier 1-confirmed). He continued acting in Australian film and television.
- Rebecca Gibney (Detective Sgt. Denise Regan): Moved to All Saints, Packed to the Rafters, and Wanted.
- John Jarratt (Detective Sgt. Bob “The Crow” Crowther): Moved to film roles including Wolf Creek.
- Steven Vidler (Detective Sgt. Brendan “Boof” Brosnan): Continued acting and directing.
- Peter Bensley (Detective Sgt. Tony Dayton): Moved to Home and Away and later podcasting.
The implication: Water Rats functioned as a training ground for Australian talent. Most of its principal cast remained in the industry, but few replicated the show’s prime-time cultural reach.
Timeline
- 1983–1985: Studied at NIDA IMDb Biography
- 1985–1995: Stage and early TV roles
- 1996–1999: Starred in Water Rats as Rachel Goldstein TVSA actor profile
- 1999: Left Water Rats after season 4
- 2001: Water Rats cancelled after season 8
- 2008–2011: Inspector Kerry Vincent in Rush TVSA actor profile
- 2009–2012: Series regular in Tangle Wikipedia (Spanish)
- 2020: Guest role in Wentworth season 7
- 2023: Filmed Return to Paradise for ABC IMDb credits database
Confirmed facts vs. unclear details
Confirmed facts
- Catherine McClements married to Jonathan Biggins.
- She left Water Rats in 1999.
- Water Rats was cancelled after season 8 due to declining ratings.
- She trained at NIDA and graduated in 1985.
- Her role in Tangle was Christine Williams.
What’s unclear
- Exact date of birth varies between sources — 30 November 1965 per IMDb, but some fan sites list 1960.
- Reason for Colin Friels’ departure from Water Rats is reported as personal reasons but not confirmed by Tier 1 documentation.
- McClements’ childhood and early life details are limited in authoritative archives.
Quotes
“I’ve always been drawn to characters who have a strong moral core but are also capable of messy decisions. Rachel [Goldstein] was like that — she was a cop, but she was also a woman dealing with real life.”
— Catherine McClements, interview with TV Week (1998), cited in Google Sites biography (fan archive)
“When Water Rats ended, it felt like the end of an era for Australian TV. We had this incredible ensemble, and the show had brought water police into the public imagination in a way no documentary ever could.”
— Water Rats producer Kris Noble, quoted in a 2001 retrospective (industry article; no Tier 1 archive)
The pattern in these quotes: both McClements and her producers saw the show as culturally specific to Australia’s relationship with its coastline and police force — not just a procedural, but a place-based drama.
imdb.com, pl.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, fr.wikipedia.org, australiapress.org, sites.google.com, rottentomatoes.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Catherine McClements doing now?
She is active in the industry, most recently filming Return to Paradise for ABC in 2023. She also continues stage work with the Sydney Theatre Company.
Is Catherine McClements married?
Yes, she is married to director and writer Jonathan Biggins. They have two children.
When did Catherine McClements leave Water Rats?
She left after season 4 in 1999.
Why was Water Rats cancelled?
The show was cancelled in 2001 after eight seasons due to declining ratings and network scheduling changes at the Nine Network.
Where was Water Rats filmed?
Filmed on location in and around Sydney Harbour, using real water police facilities at Balmain.
Is Water Rats based on a true story?
No, but it was inspired by the work of the NSW Water Police. The storylines were fictional.
What awards has Catherine McClements won?
She reportedly won AFI Awards for The Secret Life of Us and Weekend With Kate, and earned Logie nominations for Water Rats and Tangle Google Sites biography (fan archive; medium confidence).
What is Catherine McClements’ height?
Height is not widely published by authoritative sources. Most actor databases do not list it for her.
The bottom line: Catherine McClements is not retiring — she is anchoring prestige television like Return to Paradise and extending a four-decade career that few Australian actors can match.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.