Netflix's New Drama "Queenstown" Begins Production in New Zealand Ski Town

Netflix has begun production on "Queenstown," a new eight-episode drama set against the backdrop of New Zealand's famed ski destination, marking the streamer's first locally commissioned series shot entirely in New Zealand.

Created by Chloe Stearns, known for "Wolf Like Me" and the upcoming "The Falling Girls," the series stars Rufus Sewell and Frances O'Connor and centers on a wealthy family and the staff around them clashing over power, loyalty, and desire beneath the polished surface of Queenstown's luxury ski scene.

“In Chloe Stearns, we’ve found an extraordinary new voice, and we’re thrilled to have Glendyn Ivin at the helm alongside an exceptional cast,” executive producers Jodi Matterson and Libbie Doherty said. “We’re incredibly grateful to Amanda Duthie and the entire Netflix team for backing our vision to help bring what we believe will become audiences’ next obsession.”

Joining Sewell and O'Connor in the cast are Alycia Debnam-Carey ("Apple Cider Vinegar," "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart") and Te Kohe Tuhaka ("Chief of War," "The Convert," "Kōkā").

The series will be directed by Glendyn Ivin ("The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart," "Penguin Bloom") and Roseanne Liang ("Avatar: The Last Airbender").

Executive producers Jodi Matterson and Libbie Doherty said they were excited to bring Stearns' new voice to the screen alongside Ivin and the show's cast, and credited Netflix and content director Amanda Duthie for supporting the project.

Matterson, whose credits include "The Dry" and "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart," is producing through her company Silent Firework, while Doherty — known for "Bluey," "Tales from Outer Suburbia" and "Crazy Fun Park" — produces through Runaway Unicorn. Stearns and Ivin also serve as executive producers alongside Jeremy Platt and Erika North, with Mel Turner, Ricci Swart, Andrew Low, John Hamm and John Wynn serving as co-executive producers. Axel Paton is co-producing.

The series is shooting on location in Queenstown itself. Amanda Duthie, Netflix's content director for Australia and New Zealand, called the production a milestone for the streamer's investment in local New Zealand content, describing "Queenstown" as a story of power, class and family set against a luxury ski-town backdrop. She pointed to the New Zealand Film Commission and the country's Screen Production Rebate as key supports that are helping the production create work for local crew, businesses, and emerging talent.

Queenstown is in production in the New Zealand town of the same name. “Queenstown draws an exceptional team of talent and creatives, surrounded by this breathtaking environment,” Netflix Australia and New Zealand Content Director Amanda Duthie said. “Shooting our first locally commissioned series here in New Zealand is a huge moment for us. This is a bold, propulsive story of power, class and family set against the opulent world of a luxury ski town, and we can't wait for our members to fall in love with this series the way we have. Along with a terrific screen sector, and with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and the Screen Production Rebate, we're delighted that this production is creating opportunities for local crew, businesses and emerging talent while bringing this story to life.”

Netflix has not yet announced when "Queenstown" will premiere, saying more details will follow as production continues.