Ireland’s Richard Flood and New Zealand’s Acushla-Tara Kupe will lead the cast of The Gone, a gripping new mystery series from Kingfisher Films and Blinder Films, in association with Southern Light Films (NZ) for RTÉ and TVNZ – to be distributed globally by Red Arrow Studios International. 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.
Flood stars as Theo Richter, an Irish detective who teams with Kiwi cop Diana Huia (Kupe: Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Unu, Ngāti Kahu-pungapunga), 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.
Michelle Fairley, Carolyn Bracken, Liam Carney and Aaron Monaghan join the cast along with Aotearoa New Zealand’s Wayne Hapi (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou), Manu Bennett (Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Vanessa Rare (Ngāti Pu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Pukenga, Ngāpuhi) and Scott Wills.
The six-part New Zealand/Ireland coproduction commences principal photography on location in Auckland and Te Aroha, New Zealand this week with further shooting in Dublin, Ireland in late 2022.
Richard Flood most recently appeared in several seasons of ABC’s long running hit, Grey’s Anatomy, and two seasons of Showtime’s Shameless. His earlier credits include the international production of the series Crossing Lines, Killing Kennedy, and Irish series, Red Rock. Richard is represented by More Medavoy Management, Denton Brierley, and Gersh. Acushla-Tara Kupe played Susan Corman in the Apple TV+ series Mr Corman, alongside Joseph Gordon-Levitt and will soon be seen in season two of Acorn TV and TVNZ’s comedy-drama series Under the Vines. She also recently starred in the Māori-language children’s series Te Pāmu Kūmara. Acushla-Tara is represented by Gail Cowan Management (NZ) and Rigmarole Management (UK).
The series’ writers are Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue: In Dark Places, Better the Blood, the novel) and Anna McPartlin (Striking Out, Holby City) with direction from Peter Meteherangi Tikao Burger (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne: One Lane Bridge, Until Proven Innocent, Resolve) and Hannah Quinn (Vikings Valhalla, Blood, The Stranger).
Executive Producers are Karl Zohrab for Kingfisher Films, Yvonne Donohoe (Striking Out, Extra Ordinary) and Katie Holly (Mr Malcolm’s List, Love & Friendship) for Blinder Films, with producer Timothy White for Southern Light Films, producer Reikura Kahi (Waikato, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Kuki Airini) and Executive Producer Greg Bailey. The series was created by Simone Nathan (Our Flag Means Death, Kid Sister) and Karl Zohrab and developed by Anna McPartlin, Michael Bennett and Yvonne Donohoe.
Executive Producer Karl Zohrab says: “What an adventure it’s been so far, working across Aotearoa New Zealand and Ireland with our colleagues at Blinder Films on the development of this gripping mystery. We can’t wait to see these scripts brought to life by series directors Peter and Hannah, along with our terrific cast and crew.”
Executive Producer Yvonne Donohoe says: “The process of bringing The Gone to screen has been a true international cultural collaboration and a journey of learning, challenging, sharing stories and ideas; merging brilliant writing, directing, acting and creative talent from Ireland and New Zealand, two countries full of beauty, complexity and with many similarities. We’re so thankful for the immense support from all our partners and we can’t wait for audiences to spend time with our characters, fall into the mysterious web of our story and be immersed in the two contrasting worlds of the series.”
Producer Reikura Kahi says, “The Gone transports us to a picturesque small town with characters and storylines that reflect how culturally unique Aotearoa is. Te reo Māori is weaved organically through the series, reflective of a nation which is on a journey towards embracing the Māori language.”
“RTE is really excited to be working once again with Blinder, together with Kingfisher and Southern Light, on The Gone. It promises to be a cracking drama and one which will hopefully have viewers glued to their seats both in Ireland and New Zealand. We are particularly happy to be working with our fellow national broadcaster, TVNZ and with Red Arrow, who will be distributing this high end drama to international broadcasters and platforms,” says Dermot Horan, Director of Acquisitions & Coproductions at RTÉ.
“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.