Rufus Sewell to Star in Netflix’s First New Zealand Original Drama Series

Earlier this year, Netflix unveiled a massive 2026 movie and TV slate for Australia and New Zealand, showing its continued commitment to the region under ANZ content director Amanda Duthie. While that announcement highlighted everything from the final season heartbreaking high Due to filming under big-budget international productions, pressure on streamers in this area is constantly increasing.

Following more than a few projects in Australia and outside the country serving as a venue for shows such as sweet tooth and upcoming east of eden Adaptation, cast and additional details announced for the first New Zealand Netflix original series to be set and shot in the country: queenstown.

Here’s everything we know about the current shooting project.

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What is queenstown About this?

“Beneath the glamor of Queenstown’s luxury ski scene, a privileged family and the people who work for them collide over power, loyalty and desire.” The ski resort has attracted thousands of skiers from across the country as well as Australia over the years.

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who is being impersonated queenstown?

For this 8-episode series, a huge group of series regulars have been announced. Artists include:

• Rufus Sewell, Best known to Netflix subscribers for his role as Hal Wyler Diplomatbut also the hit miniseries Kaleidoscope;
• Francis O’Connor, Who Wednesday Fans know him as François Galpin (season 2), but he has had a much longer career on stage and screen in Australia;
• Alicia Debnam-CareyKnown for her role as Lexa in 100 And as a co-star in last year’s series apple cider vinegar;
• te kohe tuhakaKnown overseas for his role in Apple TV war chief;
• Anna Baryshnikov (Cape Fear, Idiotka);
• jamie ward (The Gentleman, His Dark Materials);
• babe orleans (Clash, Spiderhead);
• Alex Fitzallan (The Haunting Wives, my amazing career);
• tatum warren-ngata (Head Girl, My Life is Murder).

Character details are being kept under wraps for now; Still, it’s safe to assume that some of the lead actors will be playing members of the central privileged family.

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who is behind queenstown?

The show is being written, created and executive produced by a relative newcomer chloe stearnswho has credits on genre series wolf like meand co-created the original scripted audio series EvergreenWhich included Lana Condor in the voice cast.

Will be the main director of the season glendyn ivin (Alice Hart’s Lost Flowers, Penguin Bloom), who will also serve as an executive producer. Roseanne Liang (who served as director on some episodes Avatar The Last AirbenderWill also direct the first season of. The show comes from Australian production companies Silent Firework and Runaway Unicorn.

Executive producers include Jodi Matterson, Libby Doherty, jeremy plattAnd Erica North. The production team includes co-executive producers mel turner, ricky swart, Andrew Lo, john hamm, John WynnAnd jack sherman. axel patton Serves as line producer as well as co-producer honor burn and director of photography gin loan.

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where is queenstown shot?

Filmed under the working title black diamondShooting took place at various locations around the Queenstown area of ​​New Zealand, including four different ski resorts.

The first days of shooting were affected by a local earthquake of magnitude 5.9, which originated north of Te Anau. local media. The cast and crew have been confirmed safe; There is no information about the impact on the schedule. according to Otago Daily TimesThe shooting is expected to include 450 jobs for the cast and crew, including reportedly 120 locals.

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when is it queenstown Released on Netflix?

Cameras officially began rolling on July 13, 2026, and according to recent production listings, filming is currently scheduled to wrap up on October 2, 2026. No release date has been confirmed yet, although it’s safe to say we can expect queenstown To arrive on Netflix sometime in mid to late 2027.

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Are you eagerly waiting for this new project? Let us know in the comment section below!