Counterstrike (1990 TV series)

Counterstrike
Counterstrike title screen
Also known asForce de frappe
GenreAction-adventure
Starring
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • France
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes66[1]
Production
Executive producers
ProducerJulian Marks
Production locations
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseJuly 1, 1990 (1990-07-01) –
May 9, 1993 (1993-05-09)

Counterstrike is a Canadian-French crime-fighting, espionage, action-adventure television series. The series premiered in Canada on CTV, in France on TF1, and in the United States on the USA Network, on July 1, 1990. It ran for three seasons, airing 66 hour-long episodes in total.

Synopsis

After his wife is kidnapped by terrorists, international industrialist Alexander Addington assembles a clandestine team of troubleshooters to help combat terrorism around the world.

Addington recruits Peter Sinclair from Scotland Yard to lead the team. They set up a French con artist and art/jewelry thief named Nicole "Nikki" Beaumont and blackmail her into joining because of her valuable criminal connections. The third team member is Luke Brenner, an American mercenary whom they rescue from a Mexican jail. Alexander's daughter Suzanne Addington designed and operates the team's computer systems. Other characters include Bennett and J.J. (aka Captain Johnson), Alexander's valet and pilot, respectively.[3]

In the second episode of season two, Peter and Alexander encounter a French reporter named Gabrielle Germont whom they recruit into the team to prevent her from publishing a story about them. In the season's third episode Peter and Gabrielle rescue Hector Stone, an American CIA-operative and former Navy SEAL whose cover has been blown, and invite him to join the team.

Suzanne Addington was written out of the series at the beginning of the second season. Suzanne appears in one third season episode, although played by a different actress. In her stead Alexander employs a secretary named Hélène Previn who becomes his confidante.

Cast

Main

  • Christopher Plummer as Alexander Addington (1990–1993), a Toronto billionaire tycoon with headquarters in Paris.[4] He was shot during his wife's kidnapping, after which he swore, "eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."[5]
  • Simon MacCorkindale as Peter Sinclair (1990–1993), a former Scotland Yard Inspector[6] who quit the force five years ago.[5]
  • Cyrielle Clair as Nicole "Nikki" Beaumont (1990–1991), a French con-artist[2] in the first season, who marries in season two.[4]
  • Stephen Shellen as Luke Brenner (1990–1991), the team's "strong-man," he was with the Army during action in Panama and Grenada.[7] He is later killed during a mission in season two.[4]
  • Laurence Ashley-Taboulet as Suzanne Addington (1990–1991), Alexander's daughter in season one.[4]
  • Sophie Michaud as Gabrielle Germont (1991–1993), a magazine writer in season two and three.[4]
  • James Purcell as Hector Stone (1991–1993), an ex-Marine and Navy SEAL in season two and three.[4]
  • Patricia Cartier as Hélène Previn (1991–1993), Alexander's secretary in season two and three.[4]
  • Andre Mayers as J.J. (1990–1993), Alexander's pilot.[4]
  • Tom Kneebone as Bennett (1990–1993), Alexander's butler.[4][2]

Recurring

  • Susan Hogan as Bridgette (2 episodes), Suzanne's godmother and environmentalist introduced in "A Little Purity"[7] and last seen in season three, "Bosnian Connection."[8]
  • Ron White as Detective Larry Larwin (4 episodes).[7][9][10][11][12]
  • Michel Voletti as Philippe Evran (5 episodes), a French Police Inspector who was suspended after unfounded allegations of bribery. He is introduced running a bar in the season one episode, "Thanos."[13] As his friend, Peter gives Phillippe information to help overcome the suspension.
  • Vlasta Vrána as Detective Lt. Samuelson (2 episodes), a Toronto policeman who was first to respond to the kidnapping of Alexander Addington's wife Chantal in season one, "The Beginning"[3] prior to the arrival of Sinclair. He reappears in season two, "Breaking Point"[14] questioning Stone, who is suspected of murder.
  • Janet-Laine Green as Claire (2 episodes), Peter's jealous ex-wife, she is introduced at the end of season one in "The Dilemma"[15] and last seen in season two, "It's All in the Game."[16]

Episodes

Main article: List of Counterstrike (1990 TV series) episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
122July 1, 1990 (1990-07-01)February 2, 1991 (1991-02-02)
222September 21, 1991 (1991-09-21)May 9, 1992 (1992-05-09)
322September 26, 1992 (1992-09-26)May 9, 1993 (1993-05-09)

Awards and nominations

Counterstrike awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
1992 6th Gemini Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Simon MacCorkindale Nominated [17][18]
1992 6th Gemini Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Christopher Plummer Nominated [17][18]
1994 8th Gemini Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Sophie Michaud
in "Behind Bars"		 Nominated [19]
1994 8th Gemini Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role James Purcell
in "Going Home"		 Won [20]

Broadcast

Counterstrike premiered in Canada on CTV and in France (as Force de frappe) on TF1 on July 1, 1990.[1] It premiered in the United States on the USA Network on July 1, 1990.[2]

Reruns aired in Canada on Showcase and TVtropolis.[21][22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b "Force de frappe" [Counterstrike]. Seriebox (in French). Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Romanko, Karen A. (9 March 2016). Television's Female Spies and Crimefighters: 600 Characters and Shows, 1950s to the Present. McFarland. p. 57. ISBN 9781476624150. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b "The Beginning" - Season 1, Episode 14
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (24 June 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House. p. 289. ISBN 9780307483201. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Dealbreaker" - Season 1, Episode 1
  6. ^ Terrace, Vincent (10 January 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010, Volume 3 (2 ed.). McFarland. ISBN 9780786486410. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "A Little Purity" - Season 1, Episode 6
  8. ^ "Bosnian Connection" - Season 3, Episode 12
  9. ^ "Cry of the Children" - Season 1, Episode 15
  10. ^ "Verathion" - Season 1, Episode 20
  11. ^ "Hide and Seek" - Season 2, Episode 5
  12. ^ Lentz III, Harris M. (30 May 2019). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland. pp. 401–402. ISBN 9781476636559. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Thanos" - Season 1, Episode 11
  14. ^ "Breaking Point" - Season 2, Episode 7
  15. ^ "The Dilemma" - Season 1, Episode 22
  16. ^ "It's All in the Game" - Season 2, Episode 4
  17. ^ a b "And the nominees are ...". Hamilton Spectator, March 7, 1992.
  18. ^ a b Christopher Harris, "CBC drama tops Gemini ceremonies: Journey into Darkness wins all six categories in which it was nominated". The Globe and Mail, March 9, 1992.
  19. ^ Greg Quill, "The Gemini nominees are...". Toronto Star, January 26, 1994.
  20. ^ Christopher Harris, "Geminis annoint controversial mini-series: From ban to blessing, seven awards put The Boys of St. Vincent in a state of grace". The Globe and Mail, March 7, 1994.
  21. ^ "Spotlight on Sean McCann: A Deep Dive into All Their Movies and TV Shows & Top Picks". SERP Media. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Counterstrike - Synopsis". SreenRant. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Counterstrike". Plex TV. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
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