Tsunami: The Aftermath

Tsunami: The Aftermath is a 2006 American disaster drama television miniseries that dramatizes the events in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
The miniseries was written by Abi Morgan and directed by Bharat Nalluri. It is a joint production of HBO and the BBC and stars Tim Roth, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Okonedo, Hugh Bonneville, Samrit Machielsen and Toni Collette. It was filmed in Phuket and Khao Lak, Thailand from April to June 2006. Phuket and Khao Lak were two of the worst hit areas in Thailand in the disaster.

Plot

Interweaving stories examine the personal tragedies of several characters. Ian and Susie Carter are a young English couple searching for their six-year-old daughter Martha who was swept away by the tsunami. At the same time, Englishwoman Kim Peabody and her son Adam are looking for James and John. Meanwhile Than, a Thai waiter, has to cope with the loss of his family and village.
Apart from these survivors, there are several officials trying to cope with the situation. There is Tony Whittaker, an overwhelmed British consular official whose faith in the powers of bureaucracy is severely tested. Kathy Graham, an Australian aid worker for a Christian charity, tries to convince Whittaker to show a healthy contempt for the rules and try to help the people as best as he can. And, there is Nick Fraser, a journalist who is investigating the lack of prior warning and corruption following the disaster.

Cast

The Journalists

Tim Roth as Nick Fraser
Will Yun Lee as Chai
Aure Atika as Simone
Kate Ashfield as Ellen Webb

The Carters

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Ian Carter
Sophie Okonedo as Susie Carter
Jazmyn Maraso as Martha Carter
Savannah Loney as Eve, Martha's lookalike
Jacek Koman as Peer, the Dutch doctor

The Diplomats

Hugh Bonneville as Tony Whittaker
Toni Collette as Kathy Graham
Leon Ford as Joe Meddler, Whittaker's assistant

The Thai

Samrit Machielsen as Than
Poh Sursakul as Than's Grandmother
Grirggiat Punpiputt as Dr. Pravat Meeko
Glacian Jarusomboon as Dr. Boomers Potuk

The Peabodys

Gina McKee as Kim Peabody
George MacKay as Adam Peabody
Morgan David Jones as John David Peabody
Owen Teale as James Robert Peabody

Awards

;59th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Outstanding Director for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special

;64th Golden Globe Awards nominations

Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film
Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Film
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or TV Film

;Golden Nymph Awards Awards nominations

Best Actor in a Miniseries
Best Actor in a Miniseries
Best Actor in a Miniseries
Best Actress in a Miniseries

;38th NAACP Image Awards nominations

Best Miniseries, TV Film, or Dramatic Special
Best Actor in a Miniseries, TV Film, or Dramatic Special
Best Actress in a Miniseries, TV Film, or Dramatic Special

;British Academy Television Awards nominations

Best Sound Fiction/Entertainment
Best Original Television Music
Best Photography & Lighting Fiction/Entertainment

;Humanitas Prize

90 Minute Category

Controversy

The filming used actual locations in Thailand that were devastated by the tsunami. Some victims and grief counselors protested the film, saying that it was too soon after the disaster and that the scenes depicting the tragedy could prove too traumatic. Others welcomed the production, saying it brought jobs and could actually help the healing process and raise awareness of the impact of the tsunami. There was also concern over the lack of focus on the Asian victims of the flood.