Kightley looks forward to Super City after smash hit Harry
Actor Oscar Kightley is a busy man – with lots of plans for the future
With Oscar Kightley’s police drama, Harry, about to wrap, fans can look forward to seeing more projects coming to our screens soon.
Directed by Kightley, the second season of Auckland-based “awesomely, hilarious” Super City will air on TV3.
“It’s very funny and I hope people watch it.”
With the last episode of Harry screening tonight and as yet no plans for a second series, the Grey Lynn actor and writer says the drama is a fair portrayal of Auckland.
“Steven O’Meagher, the producer, came to me with the character and I really liked it,” Kightley says.
“We just developed it further and made it that he lived in the central city and was from one of the island families that settled here because historically this was quite a Pacific-island strong cultural area.
“Harry was a big thrill. I put a lot into that. It’s had good love.”
With a successful career in television, film and theatre, the comedy-heavyweight says his favourite gig is being on stage with the Naked Samoans.
“I love that live performance with the audience right there,” says Kightley.
“There is no filter. They are not sitting at home or in a dark theatre.”
Born in Apia in Samoa, Kightley emigrated to New Zealand when he was just four years old and lived in Te Atatu. He was one of eight children.
He did not plan his career in entertainment, but with the skills he had leading into creative industries, he says it must have been in his DNA.
“My favourite thing to do is read and my favourite subject at school was English because it was making stuff up so I guess I was equipping myself to do it.”
In addition to Harry and the Naked Samoans, Kightley has earned huge success for his roles in Sione’s Wedding and Bro Town, an animated, comedy series following the lives of a group of un-PC, Maori and Pacific Island kids.
Kightley has also written and directed a short film, Tom’s Dairy which will be screened at the New Zealand International Film Festival, in Auckland next month.
Having received many awards, including the 2009 NZ Order of Merit for services to television and theatre, the actor remains humble.
“I’ve been doing this for the last 20 years,” he says.
“I feel lucky to have had this and still be able to do this.”
