Kid Sister | |
---|---|
Genre | Comedy drama |
Directed by | Aidee Walker |
Starring |
|
Composer | Anna Coddington |
Country of origin | New Zealand |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 2 |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Harriet Crampton |
Producer | Emily Anderton |
Cinematography | Tammy Williams |
Running time | 23 mins |
Production company | Greenstone TV |
Original release | |
Network | TVNZ+ (2022–present) |
Release | 22 May 2022 – present |
Kid Sister is a semi-autobiographical New Zealand television comedy drama show, created by Simone Nathan for TVNZ+, which premiered on 22 May 2022. [1] Set in Auckland, the show focuses on the family's traditional/Orthodox-adjacent Jewish community. The show streams internationally on ITVX, CBC Gem, Hot/Yes, and Amediateka. [2]
The first season explores family tensions when the Jewish protagonist, Lulu (Simone Nathan) begins a relationship with a non-Jewish man, Ollie (Paul Williams). [3] Her parents, Siggy (Jeff Szusterman) and Keren (Amanda Billing) are insistent that she marries within the faith. The situation becomes more complicated when Lulu learns that she is pregnant. [4] The second season deals with Lulu's journey after the baby's birth, and her relationship with Ollie while he becomes dedicated to his conversion to Judaism.
The show partially draws from the real-life experience of the creator, Simone Nathan; her partner has gone through the process of converting to Orthodox Judaism. [4]
Kid Sister was filmed in Auckland, with synagogue scenes taking place at Auckland Hebrew Congregation, a Modern Orthodox synagogue on Greys Avenue. [4] The show received funding from NZ On Air of $822,350 for season one, and $1,273,486 for season two. [5] [6]
The second season wrapped filming in July 2023.
The show was positively reviewed by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz , with Adrian Hennigan praising the casting, storytelling and comparing it favourably with Shiva Baby . [7] The show has also been compared to Fleabag due to its antihero central character, ensemble cast, and use of voiceover, among other elements. [8]
In New Zealand, the show was praised with Stuff describing it as "a confident, bold debut full of chutzpah that deserves to find an audience, both among 'insiders' and Kiwis from all walks of life". [9] Stuff also praised the casting, particularly the parents played by Billing and Szusterman.
The second season released internationally in December 2023, [10] and will be released in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2024.[ citation needed ]
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