Love is in the air for TVNZ

The Insiders Guide to Happiness, received acclaim for its quirky themes and characters.

TVNZ has been given the go-ahead from New Zealand on Air for a new series of the acclaimed New Zealand drama The Insiders Guide. The first series, The Insiders Guide to Happiness, received acclaim for its quirky themes and characters.

In the new series, The Insiders Guide to Love, seven previously unconnected people are affected by a bizarre incident, the outcome of which forces them to examine and explore the loves that are at the core of their lives. But not just romantic love - there's love of life, love for our parents and children, love gone wrong, love of God, love of art and more.

The series is again being made by the Gibson Group, which says it incorporates all the best elements of Happiness but with a largely new cast and inventive and surprising film and narrative techniques.

In fact, it is a prequel to Happiness, rather than a sequel.

The original writers, Paula Boock and David Brechin-Smith are being joined by Peter Cox, the series originator, and newcomer Mathew Saville.

TVNZ general manager of commissioning, Tony Holden, says New Zealand On Air funding will enable the production of a landmark series.

Filming is likely to start in late May or early June.