800 Words

George Turner is a popular columnist for a top-selling Sydney newspaper, writing a weekly column which he insists must be exactly 800 words. After his wife dies, he buys (online and unseen) a home in a (fictional) small New Zealand seaside town called Weld, where his parents took him on holiday as a child. He then has to break the news to his two teenage children, Shay and Arlo. But the colourful and inquisitive locals in Weld ensure Turner's dream of a fresh start does not go exactly to plan. == Cast ==

Main • Erik Thomson as George Turner • Melina Vidler as Shay Turner • Benson Jack Anthony as Arlo Turner • Rick Donald as Jeff "Woody" Woodson, an Australian expat builder who moved to Weld for the surf • Bridie Carter as Jan, George's former boss and editor in Sydney • Emma Leonard as Tracey Dennis, an Australian expat and Shay and Arlo's form teacher at Weld High School • Michelle Langstone as Fiona, the owner-operator of the Weld Boat Club and a volunteer ambulance driver • Anna Jullienne as Katie Bell, a part-Maori artist and owner of the Weld arts and crafts gallery • Cian Elyse White as Hannah, a surfer who works part-time at the Weld Boat Club and the local surf shop Recurring • Jonathan Brugh as Monty McNamara, a real estate agent who sold George his new home in Weld and is a volunteer firefighter • Peter Elliott as Bill "Big Mac" McNamara, the financial kingpin of Weld and father to Bill Jr., Monty, and Robbie • Paul Glover as Bill McNamara Jr., father to Lindsay and Jared • Manon Blackman as Lindsay McNamara, Bill Jr.'s daughter. • Matt Holden as Jared McNamara, Bill Jr.'s son • Olivia Tennet as Siouxsie McNamara, Monty's daughter and secretary • John Leigh as Constable Tom, Weld's local police officer and photographer • Alex Tarrant as Ike, one of Zac's children and love interest of Shay • Reon Bell as Billy, Katie and Zac's son • Rob Kipa-Williams as Zac, Katie's ex-partner and father to Ike, Hannah, and Billy • Renee Lyons as Brenda, runs the supermarket • Jesse Griffin as Sean, works for the local council • Henry Beasley as Ollie, works at the petrol station, has a crush on Shay • David Fane as Smiler • Tandi Wright as Laura Turner (flashbacks), deceased wife of George and mother to Shay and Arlo • Elizabeth Hawthorne as Trish, Laura's mother • Peter Hayden as Roger, Laura's father • Jackie van Beek as Gloria (season 2), production manager of the local newspaper, News of the Weld • Millen Baird as Robert "Robbie" McNamara (season 2), Fiona's ex • Ditch Davey as Terry Turner (season 2), George's younger brother, a chef • Jamaica Vaughan as Emma (season 2), Fiona's niece and summer love interest of Arlo • Jessica Redmayne as Poppy (season 3), Woody's 16-year-old daughter • Rachael Carpani as Mary (season 3), Woody's ex and mother to Poppy • Miriama Smith as Ngahuia (season 3), Zac's ex and mother to Ike == Production ==

The series was first announced on 29 October 2014 with the Channel Seven 2015 highlights. The CEO of South Pacific Pictures, Kelly Martin said "Seven loved the scripts from the start and we're thrilled to have this project underway. It enables South Pacific Pictures to broaden our horizons and it'll open up some great opportunities for our local actors and crew." Of the series' tone, the Program Chief of Seven, Tim Ross stated, "If you think this show has a bit of the same feel and vibe as Packed to the Rafters, you're dead right—and we make no apologies for that." Filming for the series began on 2 March 2015. On 19 October 2015, the Seven Network and South Pacific Pictures renewed the show for a second season. == Episodes ==

Series overview Season 1 (2015) Season 2 (2016–2017) Season 3 (2017–2018) == Release ==

Broadcast The series premiered in Australia on 15 September 2015 on the Seven Network and premiered in New Zealand on 5 November 2015 on TVNZ 1. In the United States, the series premiered on Acorn TV in 2016 and PBS in March 2017. UPtv acquired the series and will air it later this year. The series premiered in Finland on YLE TV1 in June 2017. In the UK, the first two series were broadcast on BBC One in April/May 2018. The third series was shown in the UK on BBC One in July/August 2019. Home media Season one along with part one and two of season two are available on iTunes in Australia. Compilations ==Ratings==

Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 == Remake ==

On 8 January 2018, Zomer in Zeeland (translated: Summer in Zeeland) premiered on the Dutch channel SBS6. The show stars Daniël Boissevain as Sjors Mulder, Pip Pellens as his daughter Fenna Mulder and Tonko Bossen as his son Jurgen Mulder. The remake follows the same storyline, but changes the setting to the Dutch province of Zeeland, after which the country of New Zealand was named. == References ==