Soap opera writers writing soap operas—what could possibly go melodramatically wrong?
Season 1 • Episode 7
LatestOne of the actresses announces in a magazine interview that she is pregnant. Simone is nominated for an award.
This seven-part comedy involves a group of soap opera writers, actors and the network they have to answer to. Stressed scriptwriter Pauline (Robyn Malcolm) deals with her ex and the rest of her unruly writing team — plus the demands of her patronising producer (Tandi Wright).
Writing
Meta-soap-within-soap structure is genuinely clever.
Acting
Robyn Malcolm's barely-contained rage is magnificent.
Production
Gloriously cheap sets that perfectly mock the genre.
Creator
James Griffin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Created by James Griffin, who also made Outrageous Fortune—this is basically his love letter/hate letter to New Zealand's small television industry.
The fictional soap 'Heart of Hearts' was shot on the same studio lot as actual NZ soap Shortland Street, with crew often doubling between productions.
NZ
