6 x 30mins

Pushing Comedy in a whole new direction.

Tessa Rivers is a go-getter with a busy life and loving family. When a mysterious illness leaves her paralysed, Tessa is sent to Goldfield’s Spinal Unit where she must learn to navigate the new... version of herself that she has suddenly become. With the help of her alter-ego ‘Walking Tessa’, Tessa becomes determined to walk again, by any means necessary.

You can break her back but not her spirit!

Created by Paula Whetu Jones, award winning writer and director of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important works.
Having made documentaries highlighting social issues, such as Gang Girls, Street Kids and Silent Soldiers, as well as feature films Whina and Waru, Paula turns her hand to a confronting comedy about loss and grief after suddenly becoming disabled.
Read More | Download flyer

Starring: Bree Peters as Tessa (Good Grief, Shortland Street, Sweet Tooth)
John Landreth, Tom Sainsbury, Oscar Phillips

Writers: Paula Whetu Jones

Produced By: Great Southern Film+TV and Whitiora Productions

Director: Paula Whetu Jones

Producer: Olivia Shanks

Executive Producer: Kathleen Andersen, Philip Smith

Awards: New Zealand Television Awards - Nomination: Best Actress: Bree Peters

Broadcaster: Sky Open | Year of Production: 2024