Sky New Zealand unveils local originals including collaborations with BBC Scotland, ZDF Germany
Secrets at Red Rocks is based on the novel by Rachael King
Sky New Zealand has grown its slate of local scripted and factual original series, including collaborations with BBC Scotland and ZDF in Germany.
The collaboration with BBC Scotland is psychological thriller The Ridge. From coproduction partners Great Southern Studios in New Zealand and Sinner Films in Scotland, it will premiere later this year.
The co-commission with pubcaster ZDF, meanwhile, is female buddy-cop dramedy Bust Up. The show is now in production.
Also among the original scripted titles is comedian Thomas Sainsbury’s Small Town Scandal, a screen adaptation of his mockumentary true crime podcast of the same name.
Sky New Zealand originals head Thomas Robins said the network was building on the success of its 2024 programming strategy, which delivered projects including scripted series Dark City: The Cleaner, produced by NZ’s Endeavour Ventures in association with Lionsgate Television, and more episodes of preschool animation Kiri & Lou from Stretchy Productions.
In children’s content, the network has invested in original live-action Celtic adventure series Secrets at Red Rocks, adapted from the children’s novel by New Zealand author Rachael King. The series is produced by Libertine Pictures and was co-commissioned by Sky NZ alongside US broadcaster and streamer BYUtv, with WildBrain securing rest-of-world distribution rights.
On the factual slate, Australia’s Southern Pictures-produced factual series Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand will debut on Sky Open and Sky streaming platform Neon this month. The two-part series sees the Harry Potter actor embark on a road-trip adventure around the country while preparing for her first NZ film role.
There’s also Choir Games, from Kiwi documentary maker Leanne Pooley, which follows two choirs from Kaitaia and New York as they go on a life-changing journey to compete in choral competition The World Choir Games.
Earth Oven, meanwhile, see award-winning New Zealand expat actor Temuera Morrison returns to local screens in a global adventure exploring how the kai – hāngi/earth oven cooking method has shaped cultures.
Elsewhere, Sweet Productions factual series All Access Driving School follows a cast of unique learner drivers, each with a different disability; Diva Productions is behind Mind Menders, a two-part documentary investigation into medicinal psychedelics; and Stranded, made with the support of NZ On Air, is an observational docuseries following whale rescuers across Aotearoa.
In related news, Sky NZ has confirmed the sudden departure of chief financial officer Ciara McGuigan this week. She has been replaced by former Sky executive Andrew Hirst who re-joins the broadcaster from Deloitte to take the role of interim CFO.
