Huge news: Chris Warner has made it to Brokenwood
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If you're a fan of murder, small towns and Chris Warner, then the return of The Brokenwood Mysteries is all your dreams come true. The 11th season of the popular local drama begins this Sunday on TVNZ, bringing with it a fresh round of bizarre and unusual deaths that take place in the sleepy rural community of Brokenwood. You're likely to get murdered the moment you arrive, but that doesn't stop detectives Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea), Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) and Daniel Chambers (Jarod Rawiri) from solving the endless number of chaotic killings that keep happening in their town.
The new season launches with a cracker of an episode. It guest stars Michael Galvin, aka Dr Chris Warner, who sheds his Shortland Street skin to play faded 1980s rock star James Hathaway. Hathaway's flamboyant lace cuffs are as droopy as his career; he sings lines like 'two by two/take me to your ark' and languishes through a reunion tour that opens in the murder capital of Aotearoa. The crowd is smaller than James had hoped: just 19 people, one of whom is about to cark it in suspicious circumstances. 'I've had root canals more enjoyable,' pub owner Trudy says of James' musical performance.
Galvin, however, looks like he's having the time of his life. Ferndale must be the only place in New Zealand television more dangerous than Brokenwood, but Galvin is a delight as the emotional, pampered rock star whose spotlight is fading by the second. It's not the first time Galvin has treated us to a memorable musical number, but this does mark a rare and welcome step outside of Shortland Street hospital and reminds us of Galvin's acting talents. He also joins an impressive list of New Zealand legends to appear in Brokenwood over the past 11 seasons, including Robyn Malcolm, Rebecca Gibney, Ian Mune, Miranda Harcourt and Sara Wiseman.
I won't spoil how the murder takes place, or give away the twist that comes near the end. Just know that this episode is Brokenwood at its best: familiar, funny and a little ridiculous. The writing is sharp and focused, the humour is wonderfully acerbic, and in its most bonkers moments, it feels like Brokenwood is happily taking the piss out of itself. Every time Galvin's New Romantic curls flop all over his run-down motel room, it's as if Brokenwood is saying: we know this is absurd, but we know what you're here for, too. Far-fetched? Absolutely. Quietly entertaining? Always.
After 11 seasons, there aren't many TV shows that continue to feel as fresh and energised as Brokenwood. It's giving the people exactly what they want – murder, music and some dry one-liners – without ever resting on its laurels. Brokenwood is a true New Zealand TV success story, a show that sits comfortably in a niche of its own making, but continues to charm and surprise. You should never trust a stranger in Brokenwood, and yet, I hope they never stop coming to town.
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