Tsunami: The Aftermath

2006 American TV disaster drama

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.

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 (Kim's husband and Adam's father) and John (Kim's son and Adam's older brother). 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.

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.