Pictures via IMDb / Getty Images
Earlier this year, Netflix unveiled a massive 2026 movie and TV slate for Australia and New Zealand, marking its continued commitment to the region under ANZ Content Director Amanda Duthie. While that announcement highlighted everything from the final season of Heartbreak High to big-budget international productions filming down under, the streamer’s push into the region continues to grow.
After more than a few projects out of Australia and the country serving as a location for shows such as Sweet Tooth and the upcoming East Of Eden adaptation, cast and additional details were announced for the first New Zealand Netflix original series to be set and shot in the country: Queenstown.
Here is everything we know about the currently shooting project.
What is Queenstown about?
“Beneath the glamour of Queenstown’s luxury ski scene, a privileged family and the people who work for them collide over power, loyalty, and desire.” The ski resort has attracted thousands of skiers from all over the country, as well as Australia, for years.
Who is starring in Queenstown?
Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler in episode 305 of The Diplomat. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2025
For this 8-episode series, a massive ensemble of series regulars has been announced. The cast includes:
- Rufus Sewell, most known to Netflix subscribers for his role as Hal Wyler in The Diplomat, but also the hit miniseries Kaleidoscope;
- Frances O’Connor, who Wednesday fans know as Françoise Galpin (season 2), but has had a very long career on stage and screen in Australia;
- Alycia Debnam-Carey, known for her role as Lexa in The 100 and as costar in last year’s series Apple Cider Vinegar;
- Te Kohe Tuhaka, known abroad for his role in Apple TV’s Chief Of War;
- Anna Baryshnikov (Cape Fear, Idiotka);
- Jamie Ward (The Gentlemen, His Dark Materials);
- BeBe Orleans (Strife, Spiderhead);
- Alex FitzAlan (The Hunting Wives, My Brilliant Career);
- Tatum Warren-Ngata (Head Girl, My Life is Murder).
Character details are currently being kept tightly under wraps; nevertheless, it’s safe to assume some of the lead actors will play members of the central privileged family.
Who is behind Queenstown?
The show is being written, created, and executive produced by relative newcomer Chloe Stearns, who has credits on the genre series Wolf Like Me, and co-created the original scripted audio series Evergreen, which featured Lana Condor among the voice cast.
The season’s lead director will be Glendyn Ivin (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Penguin Bloom), who will also serve as an executive producer. Roseanne Liang (who served as a director on a couple of episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s first season) will also direct. The show comes from Australian production companies Silent Firework and Runaway Unicorn.
Executive producers include Jodi Matterson, Libbie Doherty, Jeremy Platt, and Erika North. Rounding out the production team are co-executive producers Mel Turner, Ricci Swart, Andrew Low, Jon Hamm, John Wynn, and Zack Sherman. Axel Paton serves as a co-producer alongside line producer Honor Byrne and director of photography Gin Loane.
Where is Queenstown shot?
Filmed under the working title Black Diamond, the shoot is taking place on location in various places around the area of Queenstown in New Zealand, which include four separate ski resorts.
The first days of shooting were marred by a 5.9 magnitude local earthquake which originated in the north of Te Anau, according to local media. The cast and crew have been confirmed to be safe; no information is known on the impact on the schedule. According to the Otago Daily Times, the shoot is expected to involve 450 jobs for cast and crew, including a reported 120 locals.
Picture Credit: Netflix
When is Queenstown releasing on Netflix?
Cameras officially started rolling on July 13, 2026, and according to recent production listings, filming is currently scheduled to wrap on October 2, 2026. No release date is confirmed just yet, though it’s safe to say we can expect Queenstown to hit Netflix sometime in mid-to-late 2027.
Are you eagerly anticipating this new project? Let us know in the comment section below!
