Three different production houses have won NZ On Air funding for significant new drama projects. Six telefeatures will join NZ On Air's slate of short and longer-run series currently in production.
A dramatisation of the intriguing story of the yacht Rose Noelle, which went missing and drifted for 119 days before smashing onto rocks at Great Barrier Island, will tell the story of the crew's survival. Abandoned is a two-hour feature for TV One produced by James Heyward (Shackleton's Captain).
A second telefeature for TV One, How To Murder Your Wife, is a dark comedy based on a real life case in 1970's Wellington. The story promises to capture a colourful side of the capital city four decades ago. Production company Screentime NZ made Siege and Underbelly NZ.
NZ On Air is also very pleased to fund a genre not made locally for some time, the murder mystery. Screening on Prime, Riverstone Mysteries, made by South Pacific Pictures, comprises four two-hour telefeatures shot together to ensure a highly cost-effective investment.
"NZ On Air is a passionate supporter of local drama," said Chief Executive Jane Wrightson. "We've been so proud of the quality achieved this year and have high hopes that these new projects will find enthusiastic audiences," she said.
Funding details
Riverstone Mysteries, 4 x 2 hrs, South Pacific Pictures, Prime TV, $4,312,555
How To Murder Your Wife, 1 x 2 hr, Screentime New Zealand, TVOne, $2,837,627
Abandoned, 1 x 2hrs, Making Movies, TVOne, up to $2,600,000