Six-part New Zealand/Ireland co-production, The Gone, commenced principal photography on location in Auckland and Te Aroha this week with DEGANZ member Peter Meteherangi Tikao Burger (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne: One Lane Bridge, Until Proven Innocent, Resolve) directing the first block. Irish director Hannah Quinn (Vikings Valhalla, Blood, The Stranger) also directs.
The drama series stars Richard Flood (Grey’s Anatomy, Shameless) as Theo Richter, an Irish detective who teams up with Kiwi cop Diana Huia, played by Acushla-Tara Kupe (Under the Vines, Mr Corman), to find a young Irish couple who have vanished from an infamous rural North Island New Zealand town. Amidst the search and a race against time, the pair have to contend with a community’s growing disquiet that the disappearances may be linked to a series of historical murders.
The co-production will complete further shooting in Dublin, Ireland in late 2022. This new mystery series is produced by Kingfisher Films (NZ) and Blinder Films (Ireland), in association with Southern Light Films (NZ) for RTÉ and TVNZ.
“We’re delighted to be continuing our commitment to co-productions to bring the very best premium content to TVNZ. The Gone is a thrilling concept that is sure to resonate with our viewers across TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+,” says Cate Slater, TVNZ Director of Content.
The Gone is made with support from Te Puna Kairangi, the New Zealand Government’s Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund, and New Zealand’s Screen Production Grant, Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann, RTÉ, TVNZ, NZ On Air and the BAI Sound & Vision Fund. Global distribution is by Red Arrow Studios International.
Good luck to Peter and the rest of the team!