Kid Sister
GenreComedy drama
Directed byAidee Walker
Starring
ComposerAnna Coddington
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producerHarriet Crampton
ProducerEmily Anderton
CinematographyTammy Williams
Running time23 mins
Production companyGreenstone TV
Original release
NetworkTVNZ+ (2022–present)
Release22 May 2022 (2022-05-22) –
present

Kid Sister is a semi-autobiographical New Zealand television comedy drama show, created by Simone Nathan for TVNZ+, which premiered on 22 May 2022.[1] Set in Auckland, the show focuses on the family's traditional/Orthodox-adjacent Jewish community. The show streams internationally on ITVX, CBC Gem, Hot/Yes, and Amediateka.[2]

Cast and characters

Plot

The first season explores family tensions when the Jewish protagonist, Lulu (Simone Nathan) begins a relationship with a non-Jewish man, Ollie (Paul Williams).[3] Her parents, Siggy (Jeff Szusterman) and Keren (Amanda Billing) are insistent that she marries within the faith. The situation becomes more complicated when Lulu learns that she is pregnant.[4] The second season deals with Lulu's journey after the baby's birth, and her relationship with Ollie while he becomes dedicated to his conversion to Judaism.

Production

The show partially draws from the real-life experience of the creator, Simone Nathan; her partner has gone through the process of converting to Orthodox Judaism[4].

Kid Sister was filmed in Auckland, with synagogue scenes taking place at Auckland Hebrew Congregation, a Modern Orthodox synagogue on Greys Avenue.[4] The show received funding from NZ On Air of $822,350 for season one, and $1,273,486 for season two.[5][6]

The second season was released in December 2023.[7]

Reception

The show was positively reviewed by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, with Adrian Hennigan praising the casting, storytelling and comparing it favourably with Shiva Baby.[8] The show has also been compared to Fleabag due to its antihero central character, ensemble cast, and use of voiceover, among other elements.[9]

In New Zealand, the show was praised with Stuff describing it as "a confident, bold debut full of chutzpah that deserves to find an audience, both among 'insiders' and Kiwis from all walks of life".[10] Stuff also praised the casting, particularly the parents played by Billing and Szusterman.

The second series has not received any media response, potentially due to the lack of promotion around its drop on streaming services.

References

  1. ↑ "The Public Good - Entertainment Publicity | Communications Strategy". The Public Good. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Kid Sister". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Kid Sister: New Zealand finally gets its first Jewish sitcom Stuff. 27 May 2022
  4. 1 2 3 Simone Nathan’s Televised Love Letter to Kiwi Jews Hey Alma. 9 June 2022
  5. ↑ NZ screen and comedy talents receive NZ On Air funding for new engaging content NZ On Air. Accessed on 22 April 2023
  6. ↑ "September 2022 Funding Decisions". www.nzonair.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Seasonal Repression – Kid Sister (Season 2, Episode 1) - Apple TV (CA)". Apple TV. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  8. ↑ Meet ‘Kid Sister,’ the Funniest Jewish Comedy in Years Haaretz. 5 March 2023
  9. ↑ Brooks, Sam (26 May 2022). "Review: Kid Sister aims for greatness, and ends up somewhere pretty close". The Spinoff. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  10. ↑ Kid Sister: TVNZ comedy unearths a new star, but two veterans steal the show Stuff. 27 May 2022
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