Making a name for himself on the web
A former Te Awamutu College head boy is making a name for himself as an actor, writer and artist— and his latest venture includes a character with a local connection.
Sydney-based Samuel Christopher has made the final of the TVNZ New Blood Web Series Competition with Grandma Knows Best— a web series starring Mr Christopher as wine soaked, elderly Sunday School lady Ngaire Chambers hosting her own chat show in her Te Awamutu rest home.
It is based on a character Mr Christopher first created in 2010.
Mrs Chambers has performed on stage in Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland and Sydney as well as her own sell-out show in the 2012 International NZ Comedy Festival.
After his first performance of Ngaire, the reviewer described him as “magnetic“and “like Graham Norton dressed up for Halloween as Mrs Doubtfire, spritzed in Jack Nicholson fragrance“.
Mr Christopher completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland after Te Awamutu College, then went to further study at The Actors Program in 2012.
He has performed to acclaim on stage and screen since 2010, recently winning the People’s Choice award for his film Smoko at the 2017 Tropfest short film festival.
Mr Christopher also wrote and starred in both seasons of the critically acclaimed play Royals of Kihikihi.
The TVNZ New Blood Web Series Competition has been whittled down to the10 finalists— all vying for the first and only prize of $100,000 in funding.
Check out the 10 pilots and vote for your favourite to decide the winner.
¦Go to tvnz.co.nz/shows/tvnznew-blood to view the shows and vote.