From Poly-hood to Hollywood - P.I's on the big screen!
2016 has seen a resurgence in Poly actors making it big, including fresh new talent making its way up the ranks, as well as our own Pacific stories making it big on the silver screen! Check out our Top 7 Pacific Island movers and shakers!
Joe Naufahu
Kiwi star Joe Naufahu has landed a sought-after role on Game of Thrones, becoming one of the latest kiwi's involved in the popular TV series joining fellow kiwi Keisha Castle-Hughes. It was revealed at the LA Premiere that he was to play the latest leader of the Dothraki clan Khal Moro. He is best known for his role as Liscus on Spartacus, as well as his stint on local series Go Girls. He was also a lead character in the critically acclaimed feature film The Last Saint, his brother Rene Naufahu's directorial debut.
KJ Apa
18-year-old KJ Apa has been cast as Archie Andrews in new TV series Riverdale - based on the popular Archie comics. Apa was cast after a four-month worldwide talent search, and the 18-year-old New Zealand-born actor is now based in Vancouver, Canada for the filming of the pilot. This comes after his succesful stint on Shortland Street with fellow Poly's Frankie Adams and Beulah Koale.
Frankie Adams
The young actress/model has been cast in Season 2 of Syfy's The Expanse - a space-drama set in the future, based on the novels by James S. A. Corey. Adams’ breakout role came at the age of 16 in the local NZ drama series Shortland Street, and her most recent credits include Australian TV series Wentworth Season 4, Tusi Tamasese's latest feature1000 Ropes and starred in her debut theatre show P***Y.
Beulah Koale
After his stint in local theatre company Massive Ensemble, roles in Shortland Street and The Cul-de-Sac followed soon after. The Last Saint and The Kick followed, and now the 24-year-old Kiwi is shooting the Hollywood film Thank-You For Your Service in Georgia, Atlanta, produced by Steven Spielberg. The film, about post-traumatic stress disorder in soldiers returning from war, has Beulah playing one of the core lead roles alongside Miles Teller. Keisha Castle-Hughes plays his wife, and Amy Schumer and Haley Bennett also star in the hard-hitting drama.
Three Wise Cousins
Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa aka SQS Productions, is the brains behind hit movie Three Wise Cousins. The independent feature film shot on one camera with a cast of unknown actors has racked up more than $1 million at New Zealand and Australian box offices. It's currently screening across the Pacific in Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands and they're in the middle of securing an American release date.
Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi is the mastermind behind some of the best NZ Films to date - including Eagle vs Shark, Into the Shadows, the critically acclaimed Boy and his latest feature Hunt for the Wilderpeople; which surpassed previous record holders and has the highest opening week, grossing $1,745,090 at the New Zealand Box Office. He is also to direct the next Marvel film Thor: Ragnorak, to be filmed in the Gold Coast this year.
Toa Fraser
Toa Fraser has numerous films under his belt, including River Queen, No.2 and last year's hit The Dead Lands. His latest project stars starring New Zealand Olympic freestyle skier Josiah "Jossi" Wells - an extreme sports action adventure film called Welcome to the Thrill. The film is a look into exactly what makes adrenaline junkies do what they do, and it puts viewers as close to the action as possible in locations which include France, the USA and Hawaii, and of course New Zealand. He also recently directed an episode of the latest season of horror-drama Penny Dreadful - to air in May this year.