Fiona Samuel

Writing

Fiona Samuel

Fiona Samuel began as an actor, and filled the downtime with writing. She has gone on to write scripts, direct, co-host arts show The Big Art Trip, and act in everything from Close to Home to Footrot Flats. With 2011 TV movie Bliss, she became the only woman in over two decades to win awards for directing a New Zealand television drama. Samuel was born in Scotland: her parents were Kiwis travelling on their OE. While growing up in Christchurch, she was encouraged to enter speech and drama competitions by her "very clever and creative mother". As she says in this 2019 Funny As interview, Wellington drama school Toi Whakaari was "my plan A, B and C. I had no other plan." After graduating, she toured New Zealand, playing feisty twin sister to Miranda Harcourt in hit play Oracles and Miracles. Starting in 1981 with soap Close to Home, Samuel was learning about the demands of acting for the screen — where the camera is king, but the actor must give no hint of knowing it exists. Next came TV play Casualties of Peace, a scene in yokels comedy Carry Me Back, and a role in car chase romp Shaker Run as 'Casey's Girl' — partner to 1970s heartthrob Leif Garrett. She also impressed in Kathy Dudding adoption short Smash Dupe. In 1986 Samuel supplied two voices for hit movie Footrot Flats: hairdresser and "sex bomb" ‘Cheeky' Hobson, and freckle-faced kid Pongo.

Acting credits

Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale poster
6.7

Featuring the characters from Murray Ball's "Footrot Flats" (New Zealands most beloved local cartoon strip), questions to be answered include: Will Wal Footrot win the affections of Cheeky Hobson over the sleazy Spit Murphy? Will the Dog win the affections of the lovely Jess? Will Wal make a good impression on the selectors at Saturday's rugby match? Can Rangi and Pongo save Cooch's prize stag from the depths of Blackwater Station, home of the Murphys, their vicious dogs and deadly croco-pigs? All this and more will be answered as the small town of Raupo comes to life on the big screen.

Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale

1986

Stroke poster
NR

In a world where security is fleeting and momentary... Dorothy has a safe spot... the middle of an empty swimming pool. Suddenly a team intent on training appears and a drama of epic proportions ensues.

Stroke

1994

No artwork available
NR

This Artsville documentary profiles Roger Hall, New Zealand’s most successful playwright. Three decades after Hall's early play Middle Age Spread became a hit, the original cast return for 2006 follow-up Spreading Out. Director Shirley Horrocks explores the secrets behind Hall’s successful brand of comedy (which includes dozens of stage plays, and TV hit Gliding On), while closely exploring Middle Age Spread and Spreading Out. Alongside excerpts from both, there are interviews with John Clarke, Grant Tilly, Ginette McDonald on Hall's role in the birth of her character Lynn of Tawa, and Hall himself.

Who Laughs Last?

2006

No artwork available
7.0

In this mockumentary, Kevin Smith plays himself covering the story of a New Zealand town after the discovery that a local shellfish, the geoduck (pronounced "gooey duck") has the properties of Viagra.

Love Mussel

2001

Behind the camera

Pike River poster
6.4

In the aftermath of an explosion that rocked the Pike River Mine and took the lives of 29 West Coasters, two women step up to fight for accountability.

Pike River

2025

No artwork available
NR

1995 TV movie directed by Jessica Hobbs.

Overnight

1995

No artwork available
NR

Days after Auckland's mayor wins re-election, a blogger reveals an affair between Len Brown and Bevan Chuang. When everyone expects the 'Other Woman' to stay silent, Bevan tells the media her story.

Princess of Chaos

2022

Bliss poster
3.2

Bliss tells the story of Katherine Mansfield in her early 20s as she leaves New Zealand and begins her journey as a writer.

Bliss

2011

Bliss poster
3.2

Bliss tells the story of Katherine Mansfield in her early 20s as she leaves New Zealand and begins her journey as a writer.

Bliss

2011

Bitch poster
3.7

Isabel recalls a trio of relationships: one with a man in the middle of discovering he is gay, one with a man who doesn't like the smell of Isabel's pet dog, and the one with her friend Ruth.

Bitch

1995

Bitch poster
3.7

Isabel recalls a trio of relationships: one with a man in the middle of discovering he is gay, one with a man who doesn't like the smell of Isabel's pet dog, and the one with her friend Ruth.

Bitch

1995

Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story poster
4.3

Based on the best-selling book 'My Story' this feature length drama goes beyond the headlines to tell an intimate story about secrets and one woman's struggle to have them heard. In 1993 Louise Nicholas made her first shocking accusations about being raped by policemen. Some believed her, many didn't. CONSENT tells the story of the senior policeman who went to great lengths to help her fight her case, the journalist who exposed the truth, and the family at the center of the storm.

Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story

2014

Piece of My Heart poster
6.0

Adapted from Renee's 1995 novel Does This Make Sense to You?, the TV movie lays bare the pain caused by forced adoptions inflicted on unwed and teenage mothers in 1950s and 60s Aotearoa

Piece of My Heart

2009

Piece of My Heart poster
6.0

Adapted from Renee's 1995 novel Does This Make Sense to You?, the TV movie lays bare the pain caused by forced adoptions inflicted on unwed and teenage mothers in 1950s and 60s Aotearoa

Piece of My Heart

2009

Dark Stories: Tales from Beyond the Grave poster
5.5

Witness a dinner party with a diabolical main course - obsession is put to the limit when a scorned and demonic woman traps the man of her dreams, submission has never been so terrifying!!! - a grizzly murderer is forced to cover his trail without losing his mind. These eerie tales from the grave will leave you at the edge of your seat, screaming for more. Things are often not what they seem.

Dark Stories: Tales from Beyond the Grave

2001

Dark Stories: Tales from Beyond the Grave poster
5.5

Witness a dinner party with a diabolical main course - obsession is put to the limit when a scorned and demonic woman traps the man of her dreams, submission has never been so terrifying!!! - a grizzly murderer is forced to cover his trail without losing his mind. These eerie tales from the grave will leave you at the edge of your seat, screaming for more. Things are often not what they seem.

Dark Stories: Tales from Beyond the Grave

2001

Song of the Siren poster
10.0

A plain woman with a beautiful voice is trapped in a difficult life caring for her cranky elderly father.

Song of the Siren

1997

Song of the Siren poster
10.0

A plain woman with a beautiful voice is trapped in a difficult life caring for her cranky elderly father.

Song of the Siren

1997