Kid Sister is a semi-autobiographical New Zealand television comedy drama show, created by Simone Nathan for TVNZ+, which premiered on 22 May 2022. Set in Auckland, the show focuses on the family's traditional/Orthodox-adjacent Jewish community. The show streams internationally on ITVX, CBC Gem, Hot/Yes, and Amediateka.
Cast and characters Simone Nathan as Lulu Emanuel Paul Williams as Ollie, Lulu's boyfriend Amanda Billing as Keren Emanuel, Lulu's South African Jewish mother Jeff Szusterman as Siggy Emanuel, Lulu's father Joseph Nathan as Leo Emanuel, Lulu's brother Kira Josephson as Bec, Lulu's sister-in-law Peter Hayden as Hershey Roxie Mohebbi as Sina Ari Boyland as Rabbi Rob
Plot The first season explores family tensions when the Jewish protagonist, Lulu (Simone Nathan) begins a relationship with a non-Jewish man, Ollie (Paul Williams).Kid Sister: New Zealand finally gets its first Jewish sitcom Stuff. 27 May 2022 Her parents, Siggy (Jeff Szusterman) and Keren (Amanda Billing) are insistent that she marries within the faith. The situation becomes more complicated when Lulu learns that she is pregnant.Simone Nathan’s Televised Love Letter to Kiwi Jews Hey Alma. 9 June 2022 The second season deals with Lulu's journey after the baby's birth, and her relationship with Ollie while he becomes dedicated to his conversion to Judaism.
Production The show partially draws from the real-life experience of the creator, Simone Nathan; her real-life husband (co-star Paul Williams) has gone through the process of converting to Orthodox Judaism.
Kid Sister was filmed in Auckland, with synagogue scenes taking place at Auckland Hebrew Congregation, a Modern Orthodox synagogue on Greys Avenue. The show received funding from NZ On Air of $822,350 for season one, and $1,273,486 for season two.NZ screen and comedy talents receive NZ On Air funding for new engaging content NZ On Air. Accessed on 22 April 2023
Release The second season was released internationally in December 2023, by ITVX in the United Kingdom,Kid Sister ITVX. Retrieved on 29 January 2024 the CBC Gem in Canada, and Hot/Yes in Israel.What to watch in Israel: Focus on the war, a Turkish rom-com, ‘Oppenheimer’ The Jerusalem Post. 2 December 2023 It will be released on TVNZ+ in New Zealand in 2024.Russell Baillie: Why TVNZ’s 2024 season is not as NZ as it looks The New Zealand Herald. 20 November 2023
Reception The show was positively reviewed by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, with Adrian Hennigan praising the casting, storytelling and comparing it favourably with Shiva Baby.Meet ‘Kid Sister,’ the Funniest Jewish Comedy in Years Haaretz. 5 March 2023 The show has also been compared to Fleabag due to its antihero central character, ensemble cast, and use of voiceover, among other elements.
In New Zealand, the show was praised with Stuff describing it as "a confident, bold debut full of chutzpah that deserves to find an audience, both among 'insiders' and Kiwis from all walks of life".Kid Sister: TVNZ comedy unearths a new star, but two veterans steal the show Stuff. 27 May 2022 Stuff also praised the casting, particularly the parents played by Billing and Szusterman.
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