Production has begun on “Tangata Pai,” a Warner Bros. Discovery-backed drama that claims to be the first primetime series in which 30% of the dialog will be in the Maori language.
The eight-part series tells the stories of five people whose worlds collide when a bomb is detonated at a peaceful Māori protest against a license to mine a sacred site. The completed show will play on New Zealand’s Three and Three Now channels.
The series was created by writer, director and producer Kiel McNaughton (AMC’s “Good Grief,” film trilogy “Waru,” “Vai” and “Kāinga,” “The Legend of Baron To’a,” “Princess of Chaos”) who also serves as showrunner and director for the series.
Tangata Pai is produced by Kerry Warkia (“Good Grief,” “Waru,” “Vai,” “Kāinga”) under the production banner Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions, which she founded with McNaughton. It was co-written by McNaughton, Mei-Lin Te Puea Hansen (“Giving up the Ghost,” “Kāinga”), Briar Grace Smith (“Fishskin Suit,” “The Price of Water,” “Cousins”) and Hamish Bennett (“Bellbird,” “Uproar”).
The series is made in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti and Te Atiawa (Indigenous people of New Plymouth and Taranaki), through a group of tribal experts and with the support of Te Mangai Paho (Maori promotion body) and NZ On Air.
“Tangata Pai” has a cast that is headed by Nicola Kāwana (“One Lane Bridge,” “My Life is Murder”), Shavaughn Ruakere (“The Legend of Baron To’a,” “Power Rangers Cosmic Fury”), Jayden Daniels (“Head High,” “Whina”), Ariāna Osborne (“Madam,” “Millie Lies Low”) and Yoson An (“Mulan,” “New Gold Mountain”).
The series will be shot over a period of six weeks, with filming to take place in both Ngāmotu (New Plymouth) and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) in October and November.
“This flagship series exemplifies our commitment to bold, innovative storytelling. By showcasing the rich diversity and resilient spirit of Aotearoa, ‘Tangata Pai’ embodies our vision for compelling, locally-driven content,” said Warner Bros. Discovery, senior director, content ANZ, Matt Barthow.
McNaughton’s creation of “Tangata Pai” granted him selection to participate in an inaugural showrunners incubator program run by the U.S.-based Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment.
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