Film-making talent Lucy Lawless, and a line-up of top Kiwi creatives, are making Tāmaki Makaurau a global superstar in the popular “cosy crime” My Life is Murder.
Made by Greenstone TV and currently airing on TVNZ and TVNZ+, the show’s new season presents Auckland’s renewed waterfront and re-invented public spaces in glorious cinematography. Sweeping drone shots of the Waitematā Harbour make it look so good, it’s hard to imagine it’s not the stuff of AI-generated fiction.
Greenstone TV’s Chief Executive Officer Rachel Antony shares some feedback from the show’s fanbase about the backdrop. One fan wrote: “Stunning Auckland city visuals last night; makes Tāmaki look so flash.”
Antony explains that Auckland is sometimes a stand-in for other, often fictional, film and TV locations, but in My Life Is Murder Tāmaki Makaurau is playing itself, with its rejuvenated spaces centre-stage.
“Auckland is a stunning character in the show in its own right,” says Antony.
“As well as being a hugely popular viewing for Kiwi audiences, our delightful cosy crime is seen by viewers in over 90 countries. Greenstone is so grateful to produce this successful returning series in Auckland, both for the work it provides our world class writers, crew and cast and for the chance to showcase our city to the world,” she says.
Pam Ford, Auckland Council General Manager Economic Development, says a successful series like this delivers multiple benefits for the region, not least the enjoyment of watching.
“I would like to extend our huge thanks to Lucy and Greenstone for choosing Auckland. The stories are captivating, the characters are endearing, the humour is authentic and the quality of every aspect of production is breath-taking.
“The economic value of this show for Auckland is significant. It could be said that Westhaven Promenade, Silo Park, Britomart and Te Wānanga are among the show’s supporting actors, as they are often seen on screen as the thrilling stories play out.
“Auckland is such a character in this show, we hear that American tourists are asking to see landmarks they’ve seen on screen. It’s great that our creatives are being given a proven canvas with this series, and that our renewed waterfront and buzzing city vibe are being seen by the world in a positive light,” says Ford.
Read more about the City Centre Masterplan and its delivery at OurAuckland.
Protagonists and storytellers
Proud Aucklander, and New Zealand icon, Lucy Lawless plays Alexa Crowe in My Life is Murder. A complex, contrary and confident former homicide detective, Alexa can’t quite quit investigating. She’s fearless, playful and acts on instinct; an avenging angel and a bold and loveable stirrer.
Lawless is best known for her starring role in the cult classic television series Xena: Warrior Princess, which ran for six seasons and made her a genre television star. Her glittering global career in film and TV has been celebrated with an Order of Merit for services to entertainment and the community.
Acting legends including Martin Henderson, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rhys Darby and Craig Parker make guest appearances, and other familiar Auckland names pop up in the writing credits of My Life is Murder.
Multi-talented actor and director Michael Hurst brings a successful career in theatre, film and television, spanning more than 40 years, to the storyline. Fellow Kiwi, Kate McDermott, brings her writing credentials to the show too. Kate started her career at the age of 22 as a junior writer on Shortland Street and went on to Being Eve, Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, Nothing Trivial, Westside, 800 Words. Josh Frizzell, born into an Auckland family of renowned artists and creatives, fearlessly ventures into the absurd and mysterious in the episodes he crafts.
As Alexa Crowe solves mysteries on screen, Auckland quietly steals the show.
Images supplied by Greenstone TV.
