Pictures: Michelle Hyslop, Robert Trathen
Still riding high off the rave reviews After The Party received in the UK, the celebrations continued for cast and crew at the New Zealand Television Awards, where the Kiwi drama won a record nine trophies – one more than The Luminaries in 2020.
Looking sensational in a silver Silk Laundry suit that only arrived in the post that morning, lead star Robyn Malcolm, who also created and produced the six-part series, was thrilled to be named Best Actress.
She told Woman’s Day, “This means everything. I’m so proud of it. I turn 60 next year, and all I’ve ever wanted to do was stay here in New Zealand and make stories the rest of the world take notice of. And this one’s done it!
“Kiwi women and actresses have a particular relationship with feminism and femininity. We don’t get to show it that much in drama around the world. I think that’s what I’m most proud of, because I love the actresses here and what we do is so different.”
After The Party swept the other acting categories too. Robyn’s real-life partner and on-screen ex, Top Of The Lake star Peter Mullan, who accepted via video, thanked “the beautiful, beautiful Robyn, the love of my life” in his speech.
Having won Best Supporting Actress, a shocked Tara Canton – who played the couple’s daughter and was hired straight out of drama school – recalled her intense first audition with Robyn, telling us, “We were yelling at each other and we got so close that she spat on me. I was gagged. I mean, Robyn Malcolm just spat on me!”
Meanwhile, Best Supporting Actor winner Elz Carrad, who attended with his wife Dana, felt “honoured” to take out the trophy as a trans man, adding, “This is surreal. I feel super-stoked and am so lucky. I’m so happy, I want to cry.”
Shortland Street actress Bella Kalolo-Suraj was similarly gobsmacked when she won the Personality of the Year Award, the only prize decided by public vote. Wearing a frock of her own design, the actress/singer gasped, “I wasn’t expecting that. There were so many fricken amazing nominees. I mean, Paddy Gower is 100% one of our greatest broadcasters, only just behind John Campbell, and he’s a great guy.”
Presenting the trophy was last year’s winner, Below Deck beauty Aesha Scott. She confessed, “Part of me feels sad handing this award over because it means my reign ends. But it’s been so cool and now I can go back to being the wallflower that I am.”
Guy Montgomery took out Best Entertainment Programme for New Zealand Today. He joked, “This is the greatest achievement of my life and my parents weren’t even here to see this. They left! But it’s probably just as well because I swore a lot in my speech.
“This is such an honour. Even though it’s a precarious time for the industry, we’ve got a new show coming soon called New Zealand Tomorrow. It’s either going to be the greatest programme in TV history or it’s going to be a disaster.”
See more exciting pics from the 2024 NZ TV Awards below
Lisette Reymer (centre) beat out her former Newshub colleagues Michael Morrah and Alexa Cook for Best Reporter.
James Mustapic
in LeDoré Studios
Elz & Tara
Aesha Scott
in BW 36.174
Guy Williams
Kate Rodger
in The Iconic
A family affair: Robyn with sister Suze, son Pete and dad Peter.
Antonia Prebble
in Hailwood
Personality of the Year nominee Melissa Chan-Green and her husband Caspar came straight from son Busby’s school production. She said, “He was a real pro.”
Amanda Billing
in Tanya Carlson
Suzanne Paul and husband Patrick Kuhtze were there to support Bella. Suzanne says, “She sings with Patrick’s band and they go to Bangkok every year to perform.”
Miriama Kamo
in Mena & TK Store
Melodie Robinson
in Jacqueline-Anne
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