Light of Day for Sunshine Murders

The latest filmed-in-NZ “family-friendly cosy crime drama” has launched on Prime Video.

The Sunshine Murders streams here after a daytime run on Channel 5 in the UK. In the US it screened on basic cable channel UP tv.

The 10-part “uplifting mystery” was created by Christchurch-born writer, actor and producer Emily Corcoran, who also stars as a Kiwi farmer caught up in a string of Greek murder investigations with her half-sister.

The cast includes Dynasty’s Stephanie Beacham, Star Trek’s Marina Sirtis, Harry Potter actor Nick Moran, EastEnders’ Nina Wadia and British pop star Peter Andre.

The Sun dubbed Andre’s casting as a pathologist “deranged” but Movieguide was more positive about the lighthearted series:

The first two episodes of The Sunshine Murders provide entertainment. The episodes are teeming with decent camerawork and two charismatic lead actors. The heroines learn to work together, think outside the box, develop a strong sisterly bond, and fight for justice. The character arc for both sisters provides lots of fantastic fun. However, when the first two episodes shift gears away from them to the supporting cast, they lose some spark.

You can view the trailer here.

Here’s the media release:

KIWI-PRODUCED MURDER MYSTERY SERIES THE SUNSHINE MURDERS NOW STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO NZ

Award-winning New Zealand filmmaker Emily Corcoran is celebrating the local release of her first television series, The Sunshine Murders, now available to stream on Prime Video New Zealand, following its successful run in the UK and US.

The family-friendly cosy crime drama stars Corcoran alongside singer and television personality Peter Andre, Dora Chrysikou, Stephanie Beacham, Marina Sirtis and Nina Wadia.

A New Zealand, Cyprus and Greece co-production, The Sunshine Murders follows Shirley Rangi, a New Zealand farmer who travels to Greece in search of her birth father.

Instead, she discovers her half-Greek sister Helen, a detective based in Athens, and soon finds herself drawn into a string of mysterious and often humorous murder investigations across Greece and Cyprus.

For Corcoran, the series is especially personal. The Christchurch born writer, actor and producer created the show and stars in one of the lead roles, while producing it alongside her mother, Merryn, through their family production company, Cork Films.

Filmed between Canterbury, New Zealand, Greece and Cyprus, the series also features local talent including Whare Mihinui, with cameos from Sir Richard Hadlee, musician Willie McArthur, Seraphine Fox and Lavinia Kingi-Kaui.

Emily Corcoran said: “I was delighted to return to Canterbury to film parts of The Sunshine Murders and even more excited to see it finally reach Kiwi screens after its success in the UK and the US. It has been wonderful to juxtapose our South Island landscapes with those of Greece and Cyprus.

“Playing rural-born Kiwi Shirley, whose grit and humour make her the perfect opposite to her Greek half-sister, was great fun and there was much laughter throughout filming. I hope New Zealanders enjoy it as much as international viewers have.”

Peter Andre said: “Anyone who knows me knows how much I love New Zealand. I’ve been there many times touring, so it’s exciting that The Sunshine Murders is now available in New Zealand.

“Playing a Greek pathologist – with a very strong Greek accent – was a lot of fun, especially since I’m Greek myself. I can’t wait for Kiwi’s to finally watch it.”

Quirky, funny and full of heart, The Sunshine Murders offers viewers a fresh take on the murder mystery genre, combining Kiwi humour, international intrigue, striking landscapes and a strong family dynamic.

The Sunshine Murders was produced by Cork Films and Green Olive Films, and distributed by STUDIO TF1 AMERICA, with support from the Cyprus Film Commission.