Welcome to “Global Breakouts” by Deadline
Welcome to “Global Breakouts,” a feature from Deadline that highlights, every two weeks, international films and TV shows that are gaining traction worldwide. As the entertainment industry becomes increasingly global, new hits are emerging from various regions regularly. Tracking these successes can be challenging, so we’re here to help by spotlighting these noteworthy projects.
This Edition: A Look at New Zealand’s Latest Hit
In this edition, we travel to New Zealand, a country known for its comedic talents like the creators of Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows. This time, comedian Tom Sainsbury collaborates with some of New Zealand’s most prominent figures, including Felicity Kendal, to adapt his popular true crime parody podcast Small Town Scandal for television. The adaptation has been met with positive reception, and BBC Studios is now taking it on a global journey.
Name: Small Town Scandal
Country: New Zealand
Network: Sky New Zealand
For fans of: Only Murders in the Building, Flight of the Conchords
Producer: Miss Conception Films
Distributor: BBC Studios
Over the past decade, true crime podcasts have become a cultural phenomenon, frequently serving as the basis for satire and parody.
New Zealand’s own Tom Sainsbury leveraged this trend by transforming his hit iHeartRadio podcast Small Town Scandal into a television series. This move is not commonly seen among creators, making Sainsbury’s transition noteworthy.
The TV series features a cast including Rose Matafeo, Morgana O’Reilly, and Felicity Kendal, with Sainsbury himself in a leading role. The show has found success on Sky New Zealand, and with BBC Studios distributing it, there’s potential for international acclaim akin to What We Do in the Shadows and Flight of the Conchords. In Small Town Scandal, Sainsbury plays Toby, a disgraced journalist turned podcast host who returns to his rural hometown to investigate his millionaire uncle’s peculiar death by an automatic lawnmower. As Toby delves deeper, he encounters a host of secretive and eccentric locals.
Sainsbury, also known for his work on the What We Do in the Shadows spin-off Wellington Paranormal, advocates for more creators to consider podcasts as a stepping stone to television, citing them as an effective proof of concept for pitching to networks.
“Creating a podcast first allows instant access for audiences to grasp the characters, setting, and tone of the story,” Sainsbury shared with Deadline, highlighting the ease of communication this medium provides.
Inspired by popular true crime podcasts like Serial, The Teacher’s Pet, and Amanda Knox’s Blood Money, Sainsbury saw an opportunity for parody.
Upon hearing the podcast, New Zealand producer Georgina Conder immediately contacted her colleague Carthew Neal, the Oscar-nominated producer behind Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. They quickly moved forward with a television adaptation, receiving the green light from Sky and support from BBC Studios for global distribution.
“The balance between comedy and mystery in the podcast made it a perfect candidate for adaptation,” Neal observed, noting its ability to keep audiences engaged episode after episode.
Originally recorded in iHeartRadio’s most modest studio, Sainsbury performed nearly 40 different voices himself for the podcast. For the television adaptation, however, the scale was increased, and a talented cast was brought on board, including New Zealand’s comedy stars Matafeo and O’Reilly, as well as British acting veteran Kendal, known for her role in The Good Life. “I was enchanted by her,” Sainsbury remarked, emphasizing the close-knit nature of New Zealand’s entertainment industry which facilitated casting.
Influences and Adaptation Challenges
While the podcast drew directly from true crime stories, the television adaptation took cues from the tone of shows like Only Murders in the Building on Hulu. “Adapting to TV required significant adjustments, especially in how information is conveyed visually,” Sainsbury explained.
Neal shared concerns that fans of the podcast might not transition to the TV series, but these fears were unfounded. Special screenings for podcast fans helped bridge the gap, attracting new viewers unfamiliar with the original audio series.
“Television’s broader reach and larger marketing budget helped us draw in a wider audience,” Neal added.
After showcasing the show at MIPCOM and securing a deal with Australia’s ABC, BBC Studios is now exploring further international opportunities.
Neal is optimistic about the show’s prospects, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom, citing similarities in humor and cultural tastes.
The new funding models in New Zealand, which combine local production rebates with up to 25% of private international funding, have facilitated the creation of shows like Small Town Scandal.
“This funding model allows us to broaden the scope and reach of our productions,” Neal concluded, hopeful for the continued success of New Zealand’s unique blend of comedy and parody on the global stage.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
