{{short description|New Zealand television crime drama series}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox television | image = One Lane Bridge titlecard.jpg | caption = | genre = {{Plainlist| * Crime drama }} | creator = Pip Hall<br>Philip Smith | based_on = <!-- {{based on|work|author}} --> | developer = | writer = Pip Hall | screenplay = | story = | director = Peter Burger | creative_director = | starring = Dominic Ona-Ariki<br>Joel Tobeck<br>Alison Bruce | theme_music_composer = | open_theme = | end_theme = | composer = Claire Cowan | country = New Zealand | language = English | num_seasons = 3<!-- Or num_series. Increment when new seasons/series begin. See template documentation for more info. --> | num_episodes = 16<!-- Value is incremented when new episodes air. See template documentation for more info. --> | list_episodes = | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| *Philip Smith *Kathleen Anderson }} | producer = | location = <!-- Nation the series was filmed in, if different from the nation of origin. --> | cinematography = | editor = <!-- Film editors --> | camera = <!-- Either Single-camera or Multi-camera --> | runtime = <!-- Reliable source required --> | company = {{Plainlist| *Great Southern Television *TVNZ }} | budget = | network = | released = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | first_aired = {{Start date|2020|04|20|df=yes}} | last_aired = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | related = <!-- To be used only for remakes, spin-offs, and adaptations --> }}
'''''One Lane Bridge''''' is a New Zealand crime drama television series, premiering on TVNZ 1 in 2020. The series stars Dominic Ona-Ariki as Ariki Davis, a newcomer detective, Joel Tobeck as Stephen Tremaine, his superior, and Alison Bruce as Tremaine's wife, Lois. The show follows events around the latest in a mysterious chain of deaths which have occurred on a one-lane bridge near the town of Queenstown.<ref name="TVNZ">{{cite web |title=About One Lane Bridge |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/one-lane-bridge/about |website=www.tvnz.co.nz |publisher=TVNZ |access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref> The series is also notable for its inclusion of aspects of Māori spirituality as a core part of the plot, such as the notion of ''matakite'', roughly equivalent to divination.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Best |first1=Edison |title=Maori Religion and Mythology, Part 1 |publisher=A R Shearer |location=Wellington |url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bes01Reli-t1-body-d6-d3.html |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>
The series was filmed primarily in Queenstown and its surrounding area, with the eponymous bridge located over the Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu near the township of Glenorchy, approximately {{convert|45|km}} northwest of Queenstown. Other filming locations include the Queenstown waterfront and areas around the nearby town of Arrowtown.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Downes |first1=Siobhan |title=The stars of One Lane Bridge share their favourite Queenstown finds |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/central-otago-lakes/300381106/the-stars-of-one-lane-bridge-share-their-favourite-queenstown-finds |website=Stuff |access-date=10 December 2021 |language=en |date=12 August 2021}}</ref>
''One Lane Bridge'' premiered in April 2020 on TVNZ 1, in the middle of New Zealand's first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. The show was met with mixed reviews, with Stuff's Malcolm Hopwood describing the characters as "tight-lipped, charmless, one-dimensional people"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hopwood |first1=Malcolm |title=A home for charmless people at least has decent scenery |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/121211025/a-home-for-charmless-people-at-least-has-decent-scenery |website=Stuff |access-date=17 November 2021 |language=en |date=23 April 2020}}</ref> and the Spinoff's Catherine McGregor saying that the writing of the series "fails to live up to the drama of its breathtaking location".<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGregor |first1=Catherine |title=Review: New Zealand murder mystery One Lane Bridge is beautiful but blank |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/28-04-2020/review-new-zealand-murder-mystery-one-lane-bridge-is-beautiful-but-blank/ |website=The Spinoff |access-date=17 November 2021 |date=28 April 2020}}</ref> Stuff's James Croot was more positive, describing season 1 as "an engrossing, evocative, supernatural-tinged detective drama, a Central Otago-set Kiwi answer to Scandi-Noir complete with terrific performances from a well-assembled ensemble."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Croot |first1=James |title=One Lane Bridge: After 2020's finale fumble, TVNZ's Central Otago mystery is back |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stuff-to-watch/300379974/one-lane-bridge-after-2020s-finale-fumble-tvnzs-central-otago-mystery-is-back |website=Stuff |date=15 August 2021 |publisher=Stuff |access-date=17 November 2021}}</ref>
==Cast== * Dominic Ona-Ariki as Ariki Davis * Joel Tobeck as Stephen Tremaine * Alison Bruce as Lois Tremaine * Alex Walker as Joe * Phoebe McKellar as Tilly * Michelle Langstone as Charlotte McCrae (Seasons 1–2) * Phil Brown as Mark 'Haggis' McCrae (Seasons 1–2) * Nathalie Morris as Emma Ryder (Seasons 1–2) * Jared Turner as Rob Ryder (Seasons 1–2) * Nicola Kānawa as Pounamu Edwards (Season 3) * Roxie Mohebbi as Frankie Azad (Season 3)
== Episodes ==
=== Series overview === {{Series overview | color1 = #35640C | link1 = #Series 1 (2020) | episodes1 = 6 | start1 = {{Start date|2020|04|20|df=y}} | end1 = {{End date|2020|05|26|df=y}}
| color2 = #E3CD81 | link2 = #Series 2 (2021) | episodes2 = 5 | start2 = {{Start date|2021|08|15|df=y}} | end2 = {{End date|2021|08|27|df=y}}
| color3 = #1a2b3c | link3 = #Series 3 (2022) | episodes3 = 5 | start3 = {{Start date|2022|11|7|df=y}} | end3 = {{End date|2022|11|7|df=y}}
}}
=== Series 1 (2020) === {{Episode table|background=#35640C|total_width=|overall=5|series=5|title=17|director=11|writer=14|airdate=10|viewers=9|country=N.Z.|viewersT=N.Z. viewers<br />(thousand)|episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 1 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Arrival | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|04|20|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = When new arrival Detective Ariki Davis investigates a tragic death at Queenstown's treacherous one lane bridge, he inadvertently unleashes a mysterious gift. | LineColor = 35640C }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 2 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = Denial | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|04|27|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki is in complete denial about the terrifying presence that is invading his life. Meanwhile, the Ryder family implodes under the strain of mourning their loved one and unsettling truths come to light. | LineColor = 35640C }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 3 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Escape | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|04|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki makes bad choices in an attempt to escape his demons. Meanwhile, frustrated with the investigation's lack of progress, the locals deal out some vigilante justice of their own. | LineColor = 35640C }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 4 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = Fall | DirectedBy = Danny Mulheron | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|11|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Stephen is put under pressure when Lois is brought in for official questioning. Meanwhile, Ariki's inappropriate behaviour jeopardises both his professional career and the case. | LineColor = 35640C }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 5 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Acceptance | DirectedBy = Danny Mulheron | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|18|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = When Ariki accepts his gift, things finally start fitting into place. | LineColor = 35640C }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 6 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = Answers | DirectedBy = Danny Mulheron | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|05|25|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki uncovers the answers, but not the truth, as his gift helps him solve the final piece of the puzzle. | LineColor = 35640C }} }}
=== Series 2 (2021) === {{Episode table|background=#e3cd81|total_width=|overall=5|series=5|title=17|director=11|writer=14|airdate=10|viewers=9|country=N.Z.|viewersT=N.Z. viewers<br />(thousand)|episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 7 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Consequences | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|15|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki embraces his gift and saves a life on One Lane Bridge, but soon after, another body is found. | LineColor = e3cd81 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 8 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = Vigil | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|22|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Blaming his visions for letting him down, Ariki fails to take heed when he's warned of another disaster. | LineColor = e3cd81 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 9 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Faith | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|27|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki gets too close to the prime suspects and jeopardises the case. | LineColor = e3cd81 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 10 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = Betrayal | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|27|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki is thrown off guard when a long-held secret about the young murdered man comes to the surface. | LineColor = e3cd81 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 11 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Bombshell | DirectedBy = Peter Burger | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|27|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki makes an arrest, only to discover a new clue and a betrayal. | LineColor = e3cd81 }} }}
=== Series 3 (2022) === {{Episode table|background=#1a2b3c|total_width=|overall=5|series=5|title=17|director=11|writer=14|airdate=10|viewers=9|country=N.Z.|viewersT=N.Z. viewers<br />(thousand)|episodes= {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 12 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Shake Up | DirectedBy = Robert Sarkies | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|07|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = With the arrival of a staunch new boss, and his integrity as a cop brought into question, Ariki's life gets a massive shake up. | LineColor = 1a2b3c }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 13 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = No Distractions | DirectedBy = Robert Sarkies | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|07|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Tricky work politics and personal secrets make it difficult for Ariki to focus on the murder investigation. | LineColor = 1a2b3c }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 14 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Crash & Burn | DirectedBy = Robert Sarkies | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|07|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Pressure explodes as Ariki’s personal and professional lives collide. | LineColor = 1a2b3c }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 15 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = Buckle Up | DirectedBy = Caroline Bell-Booth | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|07|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Things get bumpy for Ariki and Tilly as locals throw their weight and privilege around. | LineColor = 1a2b3c }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 16 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Lost & Found | DirectedBy = Caroline Bell-Booth | WrittenBy = Pip Hall | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|11|07|df=y}} | Viewers = | ShortSummary = Ariki closes in on all the answers, but did he turn his back on One Lane Bridge too soon? | LineColor = 1a2b3c }} }}
== Production == Season 1 of ''One Lane Bridge'' was filmed over three months in late 2019 by Great Southern Television, entirely on location in the Queenstown area. The series initially had a budget of NZ$7 million, which was supported through funding from NZ on Air, Australia's Seven Network, and All3Media.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chandler |first1=Philip |title=$7m crime drama to be shot in Queenstown |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/7m-crime-drama-be-shot-queenstown |website=Otago Daily Times |access-date=10 December 2021 |language=en |date=15 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chandler |first1=Philip |title=Queenstown's starring role in crime drama |url=http://www.scene.co.nz/features/queenstowns-starring-role-in-crime-drama/ |website=Mountain Scene |access-date=10 December 2021 |language=en-NZ |date=14 April 2020}}</ref> Filming for season 2 took place over 10 weeks in February 2021, on a slightly smaller budget of $6 million. Queenstown mayor Jim Boult has been vocally supportive of the series, having written a letter of support to help secure funding for the production of the show's second season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chandler |first1=Philip |title='One Lane Bridge' 2.0 |url=http://www.scene.co.nz/features/one-lane-bridge-2-0/ |website=Mountain Scene |access-date=10 December 2021 |language=en-NZ |date=17 September 2020}}</ref>
In September 2021, TVNZ announced that One Lane Bridge had been renewed for a third season and pledged up to $5,945,400 for this, which it said would "build on the previous season's talent development opportunities across directing, production, and script writing for local and emerging practitioners."<ref>{{cite web |title=One Lane Bridge to Span Another Season {{!}} ScreenScribe |date=24 September 2021 |url=https://www.screenscribe.net/one-lane-bridge-spans-another-season/ |access-date=10 December 2021}}</ref> Season three premiered on TVNZ1 on 7 November 2022, with all episodes in the series available for streaming on TVNZ's online platform TVNZ+ at the same point.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/one-lane-bridge/about}} * {{IMDb title|10901134}} * {{TV Guide|1030849646}}
Category:2020 New Zealand television series debuts Category:English-language New Zealand television shows Category:New Zealand crime television series Category:New Zealand drama television series Category:Television shows set in New Zealand Category:TVNZ 1 original programming