Dramatic Developments

31 October 2008

Media Release

Dramatic Developments

NZ On Air has announced a major new investment of $4,275,000 into locally produced drama for screening on Sunday nights on TV One. The funding will result in three further 90-minute dramas, which will add to four others already underway.

“One-off drama provides real diversity to our drama slate,” said NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson.

“Each year we aim for a mix of series and other drama so we can serve different audiences,” she said

“NZ On Air and TVNZ were thrilled with the number and quality of the projects that were submitted for the first Sunday strand.

“When we saw the calibre of the ideas, it was pretty easy for us to support an additional three. They may come from the already developed projects, but they could be others we haven’t seen yet.”

Ms Wrightson said three of the original four projects had already gone into production.

“A Fiona Samuel script, Piece of My Heart, based on Renee’s novel Does this Make Sense to You? is the moving story of 1960s teen pregnancy and adoption. It stars Rena Owen, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Annie Whittle and Emily Barclay.”

“Until Proven Innocent, with another strong cast including Peter Elliott and Jodie Rimmer, is the true life story of David Dougherty and his fight to have a rape conviction overturned. And the 1932 Queen Street riots will be profiled in Life’s a Riot, directed by the legendary Ian Mune.

“This is a welcome development in the area of high-end drama that will tell New Zealand stories in a powerful way,” Ms Wrightson added.

The dramas will screen in 2009.

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