Great Southern Film and Television (GSFT) has completed 10 of the 13 hour-long episodes in the ambitious $8 million series. The first episode airs on TV2 on Thursday, September 24.
GSFT managing director and series creator Philip Smith described the ensemble cast show as having a Kiwi tone and energy. The Cult has been in development for more than two years.
"It's not as heightened as the American event dramas. Everything is logical; there are no polar bears on the island.
"The first episode opens the world up and the following episodes peel back the relationships and intrigue, and it's always heading towards a major finale. One door closes but another nine open up."
TVNZ decided to schedule The Cult as soon as possible and promote it in its primetime slot, he said.
"TVNZ really wanted an event drama and a lot of New Zealand drama has soap opera elements to it, so they were looking for something different. They were generous enough to make it with us, with New Zealand On Air.
"There have been naysayers about whether New Zealand is ready to make this kind of drama, but with this, there is no cringe factor. Most people have said it's beyond their expectations."
Mr Smith said The Cult was coming off the back of popular Kiwi dramas such as Outrageous Fortune and Go Girls. Now it was up to the audience to decide, he said.
Mr Smith said the character-driven story involved a group of people around the world who suddenly discovered their long-lost loved ones were still alive and living in a commune called Two Gardens deep in the New Zealand bush.
"The liberators come to New Zealand. Some bring almost military experts, and basically start spying and plotting to get their loved ones out. Then you go inside the cult and find there are two forces inside - those who want to stay and those who want to get out - and allegiances start to emerge."
The Cult is produced by Rachel Gardner (Show Of Hands, Apron Strings). Peter Cox and David Brechin-Smith, who worked on The Insiders Guide to Love, are the principal writers.
Peter Burger (The Tattooist), Charlie Haskell (Maddigan's Quest) and Michael Duignan, in his first major project, are the directors. The 120 crew filmed in west Auckland and North Shore studios and locations.
Danielle Cormack (Separation City), Renato Bartolomei (Shortland Street), Scott Wills (Apron Strings), Kate Elliot (30 Days Of Night) and Sara Wiseman (Outrageous Fortune) are some of the familiar faces in the core ensemble of 15 multinational characters.
Mr Smith said The Cult had been sold to British distribution company Portman Film and Television and would be internationally marketed at Mipcom, in Cannes, next month
SWEEPING THE BOARD
Great Southern Film and Television projects secured 20 finalist nominations and won six awards at the Qantas Film and Television awards, in the Auckland Civic Theatre earlier this month.
Best lead actor in a feature film, Scott Wills and best lead actress in a feature film, Jennifer Ludlam, for their work in the Queenstown company's first feature, the multicultural drama Apron Strings.
Best cinematography in a feature film, Rewa Harre, and best production design in a feature film, Johnny Hawkins, for their work on Apron Strings.
Best observational reality series, Martin Cleave (producer), for Great Southern's Rescue One.
Best factual/entertainment programme director, Paul Casserly, for Great Southern's Eating Media Lunch.
