“The Dead Lands”: a zombie series from New Zealand comes to German TV

Sky takes the nz series “Dead Lands” in the program. The eight-part zombie horror film is based on the 2014 movie of the same name that was supposed to represent New Zealand at the Academy Awards. From March 22nd, Sky Atlantic will show the return of a dead Maori warrior to save humanity from zombies in double episodes every Tuesday from 8:15pm.

The series combines the mythological legends of New Zealand with a zombie horror story: the ruthless Maori warrior Waka Nuku Rao was killed, but his ancestors prevented him from entering the afterlife. Waka must return to the world as an undead to atone for his sins on a dangerous mission: someone or something has broken the fragile bond between the world of the living and the world of the dead. As a result, the souls of the deceased return as living zombies and prey on the living. Waka attempts to save the world alongside the young and brave Mihi, grappling with tribal politics, ancestral spirits, and other natural and supernatural forces on his mission.

It stars Te Koh Tohaka, Darnen Christian, Geordie Weber, Vicki Haughton, Calvin Tuteo, Kirk Torrance, and Grace Palmer.

affiliate Director Toa Fraser and screenwriter Glenn Standring’s The Dead Lands was a surprise hit in New Zealand cinemas and won multiple awards at the 2014 New Zealand Film & Television Awards. Eventually, the production was entered as an official Academy Award nominee for the coveted Hollywood Film Award, but failed to win. Finally making the shortlist.

Five years later, Standring has developed a series adaptation of the hit series of the same name for TVNZ and AMC Entertainment’s Shudder streaming service, premiering in January 2020.