Diplomatic Immunity (New Zealand TV series)

Last updated
Diplomatic Immunity
Dititle.jpg
Genre Sitcom [1]
Created byJames Griffin
Directed by
  • Murray Keane
  • Simon Bennett
Starring
Opening theme"There Is No Depression in New Zealand" by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
Ending theme"There Is No Depression in New Zealand" by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
ComposerJoel Haines
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes13
Production
Executive producers
  • John Barnett
  • Simon Bennett
  • James Griffin
ProducerChris Hampson
CinematographyDave Garbett
EditorLisa Hough
Running time24 minutes
Production company South Pacific Pictures
Original release
Network TV One
Release10 March (2009-03-10) 
9 June 2009 (2009-06-09)

Diplomatic Immunity is a New Zealand sitcom that follows the misadventures at the consulate of The Most Royal Kingdom of Fe'ausi and a fallen New Zealand Foreign Affairs high-flier who has been sent in to straighten out the consulate staff. The show screened in New Zealand on TV One, every Tuesday night at 10:00.

Contents

Synopsis

After a public disgrace, Leighton Mills (Craig Parker) is sent to the Royal Consulate of Fe'ausi. He must stop the dodgy dealings of its staff and all the silly behaviour around the office including illegal weddings and April Fool's Day jokes taken too far, and try to encourage the immature ambassador Jonah Fa'auigaese (David Fane) to do the right thing. Meanwhile, he is attracted to Jonah's daughter, Leilani (Lesley-Ann Brandt), and attempts to avoid the rest of the consulate staff.

Cast and characters

Main

Guest

Episodes

#EpisodeDirectorWriter(s)Original airdate
1"Let's Get It On"Murray KeaneJames GriffinMarch 10, 2009 (2009-03-10)
Leighton arrives at the consulate and becomes attracted to Leilani and appalled by the consulate's way of doing things.
2"Idiot Wind"Murray KeaneSarah Nathan & James GriffinMarch 17, 2009 (2009-03-17)
It's Fo'alafa Day, the Fe'ausian equivalent of April Fools' Day, and pranks take a turn for the worse.
3"Tattoo You"Murray KeaneDave Armstrong & James GriffinMarch 24, 2009 (2009-03-24)
In an attempt to buy Leighton off with the baubles of power, the Fe'ausians want to make him the first ever non-Fe'ausian Aratika (high chief). But everything does not go as planned.
4"Love My Way"Simon Bennett Tim Balme & James GriffinMarch 31, 2009 (2009-03-31)
Leighton arrives at the consulate to find it in the throes of preparing for many weddings. Most of which are for members of a polygamous quasi-religious sect - and Leilani is included.
5"War!"Simon BennettJames GriffinApril 7, 2009 (2009-04-07)
In the wake of Leilani's cancelled marriage to Prince To'omai, Fe'ausi has declared war on Fa'akofa. Leighton does his best to stop the escalation of hostilities between the two proud nations.
6"Boris the Spider"Murray KeaneJames GriffinApril 14, 2009 (2009-04-14)
The arrival of this week's diplomatic pouch in the hands of Niu, Fe'ausi's surfing legend, brings with it not just the usual contraband but something much more unpleasant.
7"Climb Every Mountain"Murray KeaneDave Armstrong & James GriffinApril 28, 2009 (2009-04-28)
For once it is Leighton who must try to save the Fe'ausians from their own greed, as they plan to sink all the money they have made from the phosphate mining into an extremely dodgy musical.
8"Strange Fruit"Murray KeaneTim Balme & James GriffinMay 6, 2009 (2009-05-06)
The annual Frangipani Festival showcase of Pacific Island culture gives Leighton the chance to book his ticket out of his Fe'ausian consulate hell.
9"Chain of Fools"Murray KeaneJames GriffinMay 12, 2009 (2009-05-12)
An anti-whaling protester chains herself to the consulate gates while out the back of the consulate in Mick's hiding shed, there are cans of corned whale waiting to be exported to Japan.
10"Graceland"Murray KeaneGeoff Houtman & James GriffinMay 19, 2009 (2009-05-19)
Leighton gets a blast from the past as Princess Grace (the reason he was consigned to the Fe'ausian consulate) drops in for a surprise visit, after coming out of her latest stint of rehab.
11"All Eyez on Me"Murray KeaneJoss King & James GriffinMay 26, 2009 (2009-05-26)
Jonah has a new woman in his life - Svetlana. But is Jonah being played, and has he become the victim of a honey trap?
12"Food for Thought"Murray KeaneJames GriffinJune 2, 2009 (2009-06-02)
The King has listened to the evil Royal Nutritionist and has gone on a diet - which means that every Fe'ausian must go on the same diet - and it's vegan.
13"Spy in the House of Love"Murray KeaneJames GriffinJune 9, 2009 (2009-06-09)
The War on Terror comes to Fe'ausi. Bumabuma Day, the Fe'ausian equivalent of Guy Fawkes Day, looms. But that isn't all as Leighton has been contacted by the SIS - New Zealand's secret service. The SIS think that Leilani is a terrorist. While Leighton tries to save the day, Jonah has an idea for what they are going to blow up for Bumabuma Day. But everything is resolved as Leighton's car - and the files on Leilani in it - are destroyed as his car turns into a bonfire.

References

  1. Clifton, Jane (3 July 2009). "TV review: Diplomatic Immunity". The Dominion Post . Stuff . Retrieved 2 October 2021.