Street Legal (New Zealand TV series)

Street Legal is a New Zealand legal drama focused on the lives of a small group of lawyers. The show was produced by ScreenWorks. A total of four series consisting of 53 episodes were aired between 11 July 2000 and 21 August 2003.

Street Legal
GenreLegal drama[1]
Directed by
Starring
ComposerDon McGlashan
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes53
Production
Executive producers
ProducerChris Hampson
Cinematography
  • Simon Baumfield
  • Fred Renata
EditorJonathan Venz
Running time60 minutes
Production companyScreenWorks
Original release
NetworkTV2
Release11 July 2000 (2000-07-11) –
21 August 2003 (2003-08-21)

History

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Producer Chris Hampson, director Chris Bailey and writer Greg McGee formed a production company, ScreenWorks, in 1998 to produce Street Legal, which they had been developing since 1993. The pilot aired in 1998 and the first series in 2000. The series was filmed at Studio West in West Auckland.[2]

Synopsis

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The show focused mainly on the lives of the partners of the law firm Wyeth & Associates located in Auckland, New Zealand. The characters include Peter Wyeth (Series 1–3), David Silesi, Joni Collins, Tim O'Connor (Series 1 and 2) and James Peabody (Series 3 and 4). Also seen were Judge Adriana Saunders, Yalena (the goofy secretary), Kees Van Dam, Ange Watson (Series 4), Sadie O'Neil (Series 2 and 3) and Matt Urlich (Series 3 and 4).

The main character David Silesi (Jay Laga'aia) is a maverick lawyer who pushes the limits of the law. He will do anything for his clients and his friends. He also spends most of the show pining for his law partner, Joni Collins. Joni Collins is a level-headed female lawyer at Wyeth & Associates. In the third series, David and Joni join and buy out the firm to save it after Peter dies in unfortunate circumstances.

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Main characters

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David Silesi is an unconventional lawyer. Ambitious and hot-headed, he's a man with a passion for winning and he's not afraid to bend the rules to get a result. He is the central character in Street Legal and was specifically created with actor Jay Laga'aia in mind.

Joni Collins is a colleague of David Silesi's at Wyeth and Associates. Her cool restrained English Rose quality is the very opposite of David's braggadocio. This worked well when they were lovers, but now that they have to run the business between them, it creates a lot of conflict.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kees Van Dam sees himself as an honest cop relentlessly pursuing the course of justice. Most of the time he is, but he can also be uncompromising and single-minded to the exclusion of all else, including his love for Joni Collins.

A 1944 Ford Jailbar was also seen in nearly every episode of the first three series. It is David Silesi's main companion. Early in the first series, David's Ute was stolen, so his brother seeing his reaction to the truck decided to buy it for him. In the middle of the third series, the truck broke down, and was never seen again, replaced by a brand new Holden Ute.

Awards and nominations

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Academy of Film and Television Arts

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Year Nominee Award Result Ref
2002 Chris Hampson Best Drama Series or Serial Nominated [4]
Jay Laga'aia Best Actor Nominated
Greg McGee Best Script, Drama Series Nominated
Simon Baumfield Camera, Drama Nominated
Larry Justice Best Contribution to Design Nominated
2003 For "No Silver Bullet" Best Episode of a Drama Serial Won [5]
Street Legal Best Drama Series or Serial Won
Katherine Kennard Best Actress Won
Charles Mesure Best Supporting Actor Won
Fred Renata Best Camera, Drama Won
Don McGlashan Best Original Music Won

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Rae, Fiona (17 July 2002). "Axe hovering over Street Legal's core cast". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Spotlight on film studios out west". The New Zealand Herald. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Grant, Frances (29 August 2000). "TV: Street Legal clunky but getting better". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  4. ^ "TV Guide New Zealand Television Awards 2002". Scoop. 29 June 2002. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Public chooses Campbell at NZ Television Awards". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. 22 August 2003. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
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