Comic joins Felicity Kendal in NZ show Small Town Scandal

 Rose Matafeo is to star in a TV adaptation of a spoof true crime podcast.

The comedian has been cast opposite Good Life star Felicity Kendal in the New Zealand production Small Town Scandal.

Actor Tom Sainsbury created the original podcast, in which he played all the parts. In the new version, he limits himself to the pivotal role of the disgraced journalist turned podcast host 

He told showbiz website Deadline: ‘I’ve always loved the quirks of small-town life and getting to bring Small Town Scandal from podcast to screen with such an incredible cast like this has been a dream. 

‘A satirical take on small-town drama and true-crime obsession – it’s absurd, heartfelt, and full of mystery.’

Details of what roles Matafeo and Kendal will play have not yet been released. 

The series will air on Sky New Zealand next year. No UK broadcast has yet been announced, but BBC Studios is handling international sales at the Mipcom trade fair in Cannes next month.

Sainsbury  previously wrote on Wellington Paranormal – the mockumentary sieges created by Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement and Paul Yates based on police characters from What We Do in the Shadows. 

Published: 23 Sep 2025