LA-based film and TV studio Happy Accidents has announced its coproduction with leading New Zealand-based production company Kevin & Co on new original comedy series The Sanctuary (8×22’) developed with Warner Bros. Discovery NZ.
The Sanctuary is a comedy series following Hunter, an eccentric American billionaire hiding in New Zealand. After selling an innocuous app, he discovers it was sold to a Russian-affiliated private military company and can be weaponized. Hunter finds himself caught between the FBI, Russian assassins, and New Zealand’s most passionate bird conservationists. His solution? Transform his luxury island retreat into a Department of Conservation (D.O.C.) sanctuary for our feathered friends. As his private paradise becomes overrun with both birds and bird-lovers, Hunter discovers that being a billionaire on the run isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The series is created by the comedy dream team of Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore, a writing/performing duo who also go by their musical comedy alter-egos, Two Hearts. Fresh from conquering stages across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, they’re bringing their unique brand of high-concept, genre-defying comedy to the small screen.
The pair met writing on hit NZ sketch shows Funny Girls and Jono and Ben and began their writing partnership based on their joint passion for creating high-concept, high-production value, genre-bending comedy.
Laura Daniel is not just a writer, but a comedy powerhouse. Her screen acting credits include The Brokenwood Mysteries and Vince. In addition, she appears regularly on comedy panel shows 7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention, and was the Season 2 champion of Taskmaster NZ.
Joseph’s credits as a writer and producer includes series such as Guy Mont-Spelling Bee (NZ & AU), Taskmaster NZ, Taskmaster Australia, and 7 Days. He has directed segments of Funny Girls and New Zealand Today, and has two feature scripts in development with the NZ Film Commission.
Holly A. Hines and Eric Jarboe, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Happy Accidents say “The Sanctuary is the type of big, exciting comedy with heart that we know will have a wide international appeal. In Laura and Joseph, we have two of the very best comedy writers out there and we’re thrilled to be bringing their first international series to life. Their ideas, vision and humour are evident across the episodes. And in Kevin & Co we have the perfect co-production partners whose ambitions match our own for bringing brilliant shows to the global market.”
Bronwynn Bakker, Executive Producer, and Cam Bakker, MD at Kevin & Co add “We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Happy Accidents on The Sanctuary. The show is a uniquely hilarious take on a collision of a riches to rags story and the familiarity of light crime and investigation infused with humour and local New Zealand quirks, all brought to life by the razor-sharp minds of comedy duo Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore. Their ability to blend outrageous situations with heartfelt character moments makes The Sanctuary an exciting addition to our slate, and we can’t wait to showcase this truly original comedy to audiences both in New Zealand and abroad.”
