The basic concept of the show is what would happen if Norse gods had ended up in New Zealand and just lead ordinary lives there. I was immediately pulled into this world and wanted to follow the Johnsons and their story. What I saw was a witty comedy drama with some great character acting and a very dry sense of humour. When I sat down to watch The Almighty Johnsons I was not sure what I was going to get. Peter Jackson has helped put the country on the map film making wise but in comparison to other countries it’s international output is small, but as a small country it does box above it’s weight. New Zealand only has a population of under 7 million (London in comparison has a population of over 8 million) which means they do not have the market to produce as many big shows as other countries. It is rare that New Zealand Television makes it to a world wide audience, I remember Shortland Street (a Hospital Soap) being on in the daytime many years ago, and every now and then I stumble across Masterchef New Zealand on a streaming platform. it may not be fantasy in the Sword and Sorcery way but it is most definitely of that genre. New Zealand has an impressive modern history of fantasy film and television productions The Almighty Johnsons linked into that but aimed at their home market. At around the same period of time we had Hercules – The Legendary Journeys (1995) and Xena Warrior Princess (1996) which were both U.S.
He then he went onto less Gory grounds with 1994’s Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners (1995). You don’t really think of New Zealand as being the home of fantasy, but remember Lord of the Rings was shot there, even previously Peter Jackson shot his first film Bad taste (1987), then the ever so gory, but funny Braindead (1992).
In February of 2012 I caught the first episode of a Fantasy/Drama/comedy show from New Zealand.
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