Brand new episodes of the long-running detective drama The Brokenwood Mysteries have arrived on U.
The New Zealand series follows detectives Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland), who investigate crimes in the small town of Brokenwood.
The show began with Shepherd moving to Brokenwood following a demotion, and despite his fractious relationship with Sims, he decides to stay in his role.
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Season 11 of the show has kicked off on U, seeing the team face a “web of deception, greed and dark secrets” as they tackle “seemingly supernatural incidents” and “mysterious murders”.
It has proved to be a hit with fans, boasting an average rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Popcornmeter across its 11-year stint on the small screen.
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“Clever and engaging, unique location. Also love. The music,” said one user, with another adding: “It’s terrific! Such characters! Of course one suspends disbelief – how many lovely small towns average at least one murder a week?”
“I truly enjoy watching this series! One of the best series on PBS. If your station gets it you should watch,” said a third fan, with another writing: “At least this series is appreciated in the UK. I find myself turning off the US big hits to watch series from the UK and enjoying them much more.”
Many compared it to another popular mystery series, with one user pointing out, “While it is hardly treading new ground, this series manages to be charming and entertaining and just a little bit quirky. Think Midsommer Murders in New Zealand.”
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Speaking to the NZ Herald last year, Sutherland opened up about her role in the show and how she is “continually surprised and delighted” that fans continue to tune in after a decade on the air.
“We pump out a lot of content in a short amount of time with not a lot of money, and I’m really proud of what comes out at the end of that – the finished product is something we’re all really proud of,” she said.
“It’s maybe not as sexy and sophisticated as a lot of those shiny, procedural American shows, where there are lots of labs and forensics and guns, and everyone’s got lots of makeup on.”
The Brokenwood Mysteries is available to stream on U
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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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