A big, bold, brand new multi-night drama series, Filthy Rich, has been funded by NZ On Air for TV2.
Created by two of New Zealand’s top showrunners and writers, Rachel Lang (Go Girls, Nothing Trivial, Outrageous Fortune) and Gavin Strawhan (Go Girls, Nothing Trivial), Filthy Rich is a prime time drama with high stakes stories, shocks, twists and turns.
It is centred on three illegitimate children, who discover they each have a claim to the fortune of one of New Zealand’s wealthiest men.
When he dies, these unwanted, unexpected heirs stand to share in his legacy – but not if his legitimate family has anything to do with it.
They’re bonded through thick and thin, sick and sin. But who is good? Who is bad? This is a game, a power struggle, a family torn asunder – who will be the victor?
Filthy Rich will be made by new production company, Filthy Productions, as 20 one-hour episodes. The series will be produced by Steven Zanoski (Shortland Street).
TVNZ’s General Manager of Commissioning and Acquisitions, Andrew Shaw says, “Filthy Rich will deliver a new way of storytelling. Its inception came from a desire to maximise potential TV audiences who have tended to swing towards outrageous, anything-goes shows, offering high stakes and shocking surprises.”
“Filthy Rich is sure to keep Kiwi audiences thrilled and wanting more – which is just what we’re giving them with the multi-night format. I am very proud of this series,” adds TVNZ’s Drama Commissioner, Kathleen Anderson.
TVNZ’s Head of Content, Jeff Latch says, “Filthy Rich is a seriously exciting project. This is one of the biggest and most ambitious dramas we’ve developed to date. It’s been a real team effort, and I’d like to acknowledge Kathleen, Andrew, NZ On Air and the team at Filthy Productions for their passion and dedication to this project.”
NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jane Wrightson says, “Multi-night formats are currently drawing strong audiences. Prime time drama is one of our key goals, and this is a strong project with a skilled production team.”
Filthy Rich co-creator and writer, Gavin Strawhan says, “It’s an exciting and bold move by TVNZ to have responded to changing viewer habits and take this drama forward. We’re hugely looking forward to working with the TVNZ team to evolve this new style of drama for NZ screens.”
Filthy Rich will go into production soon. The series will air in peak time on TV2 at a date to be set