Flipper, also known as Flipper – The New Adventures, is an American family adventure drama television series that serves as a revival of the original 1964 Flipper series. Developed by E.F. Wallengren, Michael Nankin, and Reuben Leder, the show aired from October 2 1995 to July 1 2000. It comprised four seasons and a total of 87 episodes (including a two‑part episode).
Broadcast history
The first two seasons were broadcast in first‑run syndication, while seasons three and four aired on the PAX network (later ION Television).
Setting and premise
The series is set in the fictional town of Bal Harbor, situated in the Florida Keys, and focuses on the activities of the Bal Harbor Research Institute—a marine‑mammal research facility. Central to the show is Flipper, a bottlenose dolphin who assists the institute’s staff and local rescue teams in a variety of rescue and investigative situations.
Season 1 follows Dr. Keith “Bud” Ricks (Brian Wimmer), a marine‑biology researcher from the original 1964 series, and his colleagues Dr. Pam Blondell (Colleen Flynn) and her son Mike (Payton Haas). Maya Graham (Jessica Alba), a teenage girl with a special bond to Flipper, becomes a key character. Subsequent seasons introduce new characters, including Dr. Jennifer Daulton (Elizabeth Morehead), deputy Tom Hampton (Whip Hubley), and Lt. Commander Alex Parker (Tiffany Lamb), among others. The narrative shifts over time from a focus on dolphin research to broader marine‑rescue and family‑drama storylines.
Production
Although set in Florida, the series was primarily filmed on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia, with early episodes also shot on location in the Florida Keys (Pigeon Key and the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key). Production companies involved were Samuel Goldwyn Television, Village Roadshow Pictures Television, MGM Television, and Coote‑Hayes Productions. Executive producers included Jeffrey M. Hayes, E.F. Wallengren, Reyben Leder, and Samuel Goldwyn Jr. The series employed a mix of American and Australian actors; by seasons three and four, most of the main cast were Australian performers.
Cast highlights
- Brian Wimmer – Dr. Keith “Bud” Ricks (season 1)
- Colleen Flynn – Dr. Pam Blondell (season 1)
- Payton Haas – Mike Blondell (season 1)
- Jessica Alba – Maya Graham (seasons 1–2)
- Whip Hubley – Deputy Tom Hampton (seasons 2–4)
- Elizabeth Morehead – Dr. Jennifer Daulton (season 2)
- Scott Michaelson – Dean Gregson (season 2)
- Anja Coleby – Holly Gregson (seasons 2–4)
- Gus Mercurio – Edward “Cap” Daulton (seasons 2–4)
- Tiffany Lamb – Lt. Commander Alex Parker (seasons 3–4)
- Craig Marriott – Christopher “Chris” Parker (seasons 3–4)
- Laura Donaldson – Jacqueline “Jackie” Parker (seasons 3–4)
Home media
MGM Home Entertainment released the first season on DVD (manufacture‑on‑demand) on June 3 2010. Seasons 2–4 were issued on Region 1 DVD by TGG Direct on April 2 2013.
Legacy
Flipper (1995) continued the franchise’s emphasis on human–dolphin interaction and marine‑environment storytelling, extending the cultural presence of the original 1960s series into the late 1990s television market.