"Outrageous Fortune" (2005) TV series

Creators:

James Griffin
Rachel Lang

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

June 2005 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Alcohol Abuse | Prison | Corruption | Gay Slur | Police

Awards:

7 nominations

Cast

Robyn Malcolm	...	Cheryl West (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Antony Starr	...	Van West / ... (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Antonia Prebble	...	Loretta West (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Frank Whitten	...	'Grandpa' Ted West / ... (89 episodes, 2005-2009)
Siobhan Marshall	...	Pascalle West (88 episodes, 2005-2009)
Tammy Davis	...	Munter (83 episodes, 2005-2009)
Kirk Torrance	...	Judd / ... (82 episodes, 2005-2009)
Nicole Whippy	...	Kasey (71 episodes, 2005-2009)
Grant Bowler	...	Wolfgang West / ... (53 episodes, 2005-2009)
Roz Turnbull	...	Rochelle / ... (45 episodes, 2005-2009)
David Fane	...	Falani (41 episodes, 2005-2009)
Shane Cortese	...	Hayden Peters (38 episodes, 2006-2009)

Also Known As:

Gia kaki tous tyhi (Greece) [el]
Hullud päevad (Estonia) [et]
Posketonta porukkaa (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

New Zealand:60 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Auckland Central Business District, Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

South Pacific Pictures

Trivia:

Police vehicles used within the show are outdated versions of current NZ Police vehicles. The EL Ford Falcon was used by the NZ Police from 1998-2001 and phased out by early 2002.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In several of the first two series of 'OF', studio space can be seen above where the house ceiling should be. Mosty wide up-facing shots, but also in some scenes where the camera pans fast. 'OE' is filmed on a sound stage, not in the actual house shown as the exterior.

Quotes:

Munter: You just mimed rooting your own sister. You have to think about these things before you do them.

Movie Connections:

Remade as "Honest" (2008)

New and Refreshing Kiwi Programme

The Actors are recycled, but don't let that put you off! Robyn Malcom plays a great Cheryl West, she has certainly moved on and upwards from her days as nurse Ellen Crozier on Shortland Street. Malcom certainly does justice to the character the creator wanted to portray. Rachel Lang first came up with the idea after discovering the daunting income statistics in New Zealand. Malcom's character Cheryl is a fine example of many women in New Zealand - she is the glue that holds the family together, however her family often under-estimate her abilities and importance in the everyday family unit. Grant Bowler who appeared in 'Always Greener' adds to the shows hilarity providing a Male typecast-the New Zealand Bloke. Wolfgang 'Wolf' West only wants the best for his family, even if following the West way of life may not be the best way of life. The biggest surprise in the show has to be Antonia Prebble who plays Loretta West, a rebellious 15 year old. Although 21, Prebble manages to pull off the baby West. Clever, witty and motivated - so long as there is something in it for her.

The story lines may not be completely original (ahem *clears throat* think Desperate Housewives), but rest assured, it all has a nice little Kiwi twist, not to mention the endless one liners that will leave you thinking "Is this really a New Zealand show?"

Outrages fortune has a 'trailer trash' feel to it which guarantees some non-PC humour, however don't be blanketed by this cover, there is a moral in there somewhere, after all it is a comedy/drama.