Acorn TV and TVNZ Renew New Zealand-Based Romantic Comedy UNDER THE VINES

Rebecca Gibney & Charles Edwards will return to scenic Central Otago for a second season

Paul Yates (Wellington Paranormal) joins series as Producer

New York, NY; December 10/Auckland, NZ; December 11, 2021 - AMC Networks' Acorn TV and TVNZ today confirmed the renewal of New Zealand romantic comedy Under the Vines on the heels of its December 6 season one premiere on Acorn TV and early 2022 primetime broadcast on TVNZ 1 in New Zealand. Created and co-written by Erin White and produced by Libertine Pictures(Daffodils, Mystic) and EQ Media Group (Troppo, At Home with Julia, Timothy, Rake, Jack Irish and Doctor Doctor) in association with Hardy White Pictures, Under the Vines stars Rebecca Gibney (Wanted, Packed to the Rafters, Winter) and Charles Edwards (The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Crown, Downton Abbey) as two unlikely city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard in rural New Zealand.

Season two will see lovable socialite Daisy Monroe (Gibney) and London lawyer Louis Oakley (Edwards) continue to navigate running the Otago winery they inherited. They also have to navigate their feelings for each other but love, like a fine wine, is always complicated. Along the way, Oakley Wines' up-and-coming winemaker Tippy (Trae Te Wiki) faces challenges of her own when a rockstar French vintner is hired by a rival winery. Production on the six-episode second season will commence early 2022 in picturesque Central Otago, New Zealand. Acorn TV has all rights worldwide with the exception of TVNZ in New Zealand.

Series lead and Executive Producer Rebecca Gibney said: "I am beyond thrilled that we were commissioned to commence Season 2 of Under the Vines even before it has gone to air. It shows such enormous faith in our series and I am very grateful to Acorn TV and TVNZ for their amazing support. To be given the opportunity to work with the phenomenally talented Charles Edwards and to showcase not only the incredible talent here in New Zealand but the majesty of the location in the South Island was such a gift and I have no doubt Season 2 will bring as much joy and heart this time around."

Award-winning producer Paul Yates joins Under the Vines to helm Season 2, having recently wrapped production on the final series of hit Kiwi horror-comedy Wellington Paranormal. He said: "I was stoked to be asked to produce the next series of this delightful show with such an incredible cast of local and international actors. The idea of making a fun romantic comedy in the heart of New Zealand's best wine region during these tough times really appealed. And looking forward to having no spooky monsters to deal with!"

Catherine Mackin, Managing Director Acorn Media Enterprises said: "We are elated to return to New Zealand's picturesque wine country with TVNZ for a second season of Under the Vines. With its incredibly talented stars, Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards, we are confident this lighthearted, humorous and cozy journey will continue to delight our audiences worldwide."

Cate Slater, TVNZ Director of Content said: "Under the Vines has been an incredible co-production from the very start and we're thrilled to be extending our commitment to the series and to our production partners by confirming a second season. We're also excited to showcase Under the Vines to Kiwi viewers when season one screens on TVNZ 1 early in 2022."

The second season of Under the Vines also welcomes New Zealand directors Josh Frizzell (Fresh Eggs, The Brokenwood Mysteries) and Katie Wolfe (Head High, Go Girls). Under the Vines is written by a team from both sides of the Tasman that includes Australian writer/creator Erin White and script producer Kelly LeFever with New Zealand scribes Nick Ward, Kathryn Burnett, Steph Matuku and Harry McNaughton. The show is executive produced by Rebecca Gibney, Richard Fletcher for Libertine Pictures, Brendan Dahill for EQ Media Group and Catherine Mackin for Acorn Media Enterprises. Michelle Hardy andErin White are associate producers for Hardy White Pictures.

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About Acorn TV & Acorn Media Enterprises

AMC Networks' Acorn TV is the leading streaming service specializing in British and international television with subscribers worldwide in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, among other areas. Acorn TV adds exclusive new programs every week to a deep library of mysteries, dramas, and comedies with no commercials. In 2021, Acorn TV will feature commissioned original series including British crime drama Whitstable Pearl starring Kerry Godliman (After Life), Kiwi romantic comedy Under the Vines starring Rebecca Gibney (Wanted) and Charles Edwards (The Crown), British detective drama Dalgliesh starring Bertie Carvel (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Doctor Foster), as well as Irish crime thriller Bloodlands starring James Nesbitt and co-executive produced by Jed Mercurio, the return of New Zealand detective series My Life Is Murder starring Lucy Lawless, and a growing catalog of popular bingeable dramas that include A Place to Call Home, Detectorists, Jack Irish and Foyle's War. Recent Acorn TV Original series include Deadwater Fell starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, highly rated BBC One drama The Nest starring Martin Compston and Sophie Rundle; and groundbreaking BBC One period drama A Suitable Boy from Mira Nair. Acorn Media Enterprises is Acorn TV's UK-based development arm which works with producers, distributors, writers and broadcasters in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and beyond to commission, co-produce and co-finance the best international, English-language scripted shows. AME has commissioned Agatha Raisin Series 2, 3, and 4, Queens of Mystery, London Kills Series 1 and 2, Keeping Faith, Whitstable Pearl, Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries Series 2, among several other productions.

About TVNZ

TVNZ is New Zealand's state-owned, commercially funded broadcaster. TVNZ's all about sharing the moments that matter - whether it's breaking news, following adventures, sharing stories or putting smiles on faces. Each day, TVNZ reaches more than two million New Zealanders through channels TVNZ 1, 2, DUKE and online platform TVNZ OnDemand. Leading news site 1news.co.nz and socially-driven online news brand Re: connect Kiwis to the important issues throughout the day, however they chose to engage. For more information, visit: www.tvnz.co.nz

About Libertine Pictures

Libertine Pictures is an independent film and television production company founded in 2013, based in New Zealand and led by accomplished producer Richard Fletcher and internationally-acclaimed writer Neil Cross. Libertine produces bold and compelling feature films, documentaries and television drama. It works with established storytellers and filmmakers and nurtures emerging talent. Libertine's aim is to inspire, challenge and innovate. It is passionate about bringing powerful and distinctive stories to the screen. For more information, visit: www.libertinepictures.com.

About EQ Media Group

EQ Media Group is one of the world's leading producers of high-quality screen content for international audiences. An award-winning multi-genre company, EQ Media produces drama, documentaries, non-scripted series and lifestyle programming out of its joint Sydney and Los Angeles head offices in addition to its production hubs in Auckland, New Zealand and Dallas-Fort Worth. Platform partners include Discovery Networks, A&E Networks, Amazon, BBC, ITV, UKTV, National Geographic, PBS, Sundance, History Channel, Arte, Curiosity Stream, Netflix, Foxtel, Seven Network, SBS Australia, Network 10, ABC Australia, TVNZ, Prime NZ. EQ Media's recent successes include the six-part history series The Pacific with Sam Neill (Foxtel, Prime NZ, Ovation), the four-part true crime series The Night Caller (Sky UK, Sundance, Stan), science adventure series Body Hack (Network 10 and Discovery), Selling The Big Easy (HGTV), Texas Flip N Move (DIY Channel), Restored (DIY Channel), Koala Rescue (Ch7), Griff's Great Australian Adventure & Great Kiwi Adventure (ABC / Prime NZ / ITV), and the 4K TV series and feature film Living Universe (ABC, Arte France, Curiosity Stream & UKTV). Further details at: www.eqmedia.group