Rose Matafeo Joins Cast in Sky New Zealand’s “Small Town Scandal”
EXCLUSIVE: Rose Matafeo is set to make a notable return to her roots as she joins the cast of Sky New Zealand’s upcoming series Small Town Scandal. She will star alongside the esteemed British actress Felicity Kendal.
In this television adaptation of the popular podcast, Matafeo will portray the role of Carol, who is Toby’s cousin. Felicity Kendal will take on the role of Toby’s mother, Sue.
The production of the TV version, which is based on Tom Sainsbury’s iHeartRadio NZ podcast that parodies true crime, has recently concluded. Slated for a 2026 release, Small Town Scandal revolves around Toby (played by Sainsbury), a former journalist who has now become a podcast host. He returns to his small rural hometown to unravel the strange circumstances surrounding the death of his wealthy uncle, who met his end under mysterious circumstances involving an automatic lawnmower. As Toby delves into the investigation, he encounters a variety of peculiar and secretive local residents.
Morgana O’Reilly, who has clinched an Emmy and is also from New Zealand, has been previously confirmed to be part of the series alongside Alexander England.
Matafeo, originally from Auckland, is widely recognized for her acclaimed HBO-BBC comedy series Starstruck. On the other hand, Kendal is celebrated for her roles in The Good Life and Rosemary & Thyme.
Sainsbury expressed his enthusiasm about the project, stating, “Exploring the idiosyncrasies of life in a small town and transitioning Small Town Scandal from a podcast to a television show with such a remarkable cast has been a dream come true. The show is a satirical exploration of small-town dynamics and the public’s fascination with true crime, delivering a mix of absurdity, sincerity, and intrigue.”
BBC Studios is handling the global sales of Small Town Scandal at MIPCOM, with its premiere scheduled for 2026 on Sky New Zealand. The series is being directed by Ghazaleh Gol and Calvin Sang, and is produced by Georgina Conder (The Moon Is Upside Down, Night Raiders), Carthew Neal (Jojo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople), and Sainsbury (Loop Track). It was commissioned by Thomas Robins, the Head of Sky New Zealand Originals, for Sky Open, Sky Go, and Neon, with support from New Zealand On Air.
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