The Fire-Raiser is a 1986 New Zealand television series. It was written by Maurice Gee and directed by Peter Sharp. Set in 1915 in the small town of Jessop it featured four children who suspect a local farmer of being an arsonist. The 5 episode series was later recut as a telemovie. The telemovie was further cut down and released with the title The Undercover Gang.
Dancer Jon Trimmer, who was playing the farmer Edgar Marwick, had his jaw broken during a fight scene. The jaw had to be wired shut for six weeks so the production team had work around that, using a mask and careful lighting to hid his minimal jaw movement.
The Fire-Raiser was based in part on historical events and people from Nelson that were detailed in Gee's non-fiction book Nelson Central School: A History, with the fictional town of Jessop standing in for Nelson.
Cast Jon Trimmer as Edgar Marwick Elizabeth Moody as Mrs. Marwick Peter Hayden as Clippy Hedges Miles Murphy as Phil Miller Alix Chapman as Kitty Wix Darryl Beattie as Noel Wix Emma Vere-Jones as Irene Chalmers Donna Akersten as Frau Stauffel Anne Budd as Mrs. Bolton Gerald Bryan as Mr. Wix Jane Waddell as Mrs. Wix David Cameron as Mr. Chalmers Helen Moulder as Mrs. Chalmers Edward Campbell as Sergeant McCaa
Episodes The Red Balaclava Chalmers Warehouse Kitty Plays the Piano Britannia Meets the Kaiser The White Lady
Awards 1987 GOFTA Awards Best Drama Series Best Children’s Programme: "The Red Balaclava" (episode one) Best Director: Peter Sharp Best Writer - Drama: Maurice Gee, for "The Red Balaclava"
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