Few things pull you in like a crime drama set against a landscape so beautiful it almost feels like a character itself. A Remarkable Place to Die, the New Zealand crime series, gives its lead Detective Anais Mallory exactly that – a breathtaking backdrop hiding deadly secrets. The show, which debuted on UKTV in 2024 and landed on Acorn TV in the United States in 2025, has already drawn comparisons to classics of the genre. With a second season confirmed for 2026, here’s everything you need to know about the cast, episodes, filming locations, and whether it’s worth your time.
Genre: Crime drama ·
Original network: UKTV ·
Year of release: 2024 ·
Filming location: Queenstown, New Zealand ·
Main protagonist: Detective Anais Mallory
Quick snapshot
- Exact release date for Season 2 (TVSeriesFinale)
- Full cast details for Season 2 (TVSeriesFinale)
- Streaming availability outside UKTV and Acorn TV (TVSeriesFinale)
- Season 2 expected in 2026 (TVSeriesFinale)
- Filming underway at Remarkable Studios (Banijay)
Seven key facts at a glance — one pattern: the series leans heavily on its New Zealand production roots while delivering a classic procedural with a personal twist.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime drama (IMDb) |
| Country of origin | New Zealand / Australia (IMDb) |
| Original network | UKTV (IMDb) |
| Year of release | 2024 (IMDb) |
| Number of episodes (Season 1) | 6 (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Main protagonist | Detective Anais Mallory (Apple TV) |
| Filming location | Queenstown, New Zealand (IMDb) |
Will there be a season 2 of A Remarkable Place to Die?
Yes — and it’s already in production. On November 27, 2025, Deadline (entertainment trade news) reported that the series received an expanded second-season order. The renewal came from UKTV and Acorn TV, confirming that production would continue at Banijay’s Screentime NZ using Remarkable Studios in Queenstown.
While Season 2 is greenlit, no exact premiere date has been set. TVSeriesFinale pegs a 2026 window, but official announcements are still pending. The expanded order suggests more episodes — or longer episodes — could be coming.
Where can I watch season 2 of A Remarkable Place to Die?
The first season is available on UKTV in the UK and Ireland, and on Acorn TV via Apple TV (streaming service) in the United States. Season 2 is expected to follow the same distribution pattern. No announcements have been made about additional platforms such as Netflix.
The implication: viewers outside the UK or US may need to wait for a broader streaming deal. The show’s New Zealand production base may also lead to local broadcast on Three or TVNZ, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
How many episodes does A Remarkable Place to Die have?
Season 1 consists of 6 episodes, each running approximately 90 minutes — unusually long for a crime procedural, according to Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator). That’s nearly 9 hours of total screen time, allowing for deep character development and immersive mysteries.
Who is in the cast of A Remarkable Place to Die?
The series stars Detective Anais Mallory as the lead homicide investigator. While the full cast list has not been widely published, IMDb (film and TV database) lists the character as the central figure. Supporting roles include local police colleagues, suspects, and family members connected to the protagonist’s father’s death.
Who killed Maja in A Remarkable Place to Die?
⚠️ Spoiler warning: The murder of Maja is the Season 1 central mystery. The investigation reveals that the killer is someone close to the victim, tied to a land dispute in the Queenstown region. The resolution comes in the season finale, where Mallory confronts the perpetrator — a local business figure with political connections. Wikipedia (crowdsourced TV encyclopedia) notes the plot weaves the murder into Mallory’s personal quest regarding her father’s death.
What this means: the show uses the “murder mystery meets hometown trauma” template effectively, giving viewers both a closed case and an ongoing emotional arc.
Is A Remarkable Place to Die worth watching?
Critics say yes, with caveats. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) reports that critics praise the show’s pacing, noting that “the episodic mystery and continuing story are both satisfying.” Decider (streaming recommendation site) gave it a “stream-it” rating, calling it a solid addition to the Acorn TV lineup.
ScreenHub (Australian film and TV outlet) described the show as “stunning and safe” — beautiful to look at but sticking to familiar procedural beats. For viewers who want a comforting but engaging whodunit with stunning scenery, it delivers. Those seeking edgy or groundbreaking storytelling may find it too conventional.
What do critics say about A Remarkable Place to Die?
- Decider: “A solid, bingeable mystery” (Decider)
- ScreenHub: “Stunning and safe” (ScreenHub)
- Rotten Tomatoes consensus: “Satisfying episodic mysteries” (Rotten Tomatoes)
The trade-off: the show’s 90-minute episodes are a commitment. But for fans of slow-burn crime dramas like Vera or Shetland, the longer format allows the Queenstown setting to breathe.
Where is A Remarkable Place to Die filmed?
Entirely in and around Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand, according to IMDb (film and TV database). The production used Remarkable Studios, a purpose-built facility in the region, as confirmed by Banijay (global production group). The landscape — snow-capped peaks, Lake Wakatipu, and dense forests — isn’t just a backdrop; it’s woven into the narrative as both a beautiful and isolating force.
Queenstown’s remoteness is central to the show’s tension. The series uses the geography to strand suspects and create claustrophobic scenarios. As World Screen (TV industry news) noted, filming at Remarkable Studios keeps the production grounded in the region’s unique visual identity — a differentiator from generic urban procedurals.
Why is Queenstown a remarkable filming location?
Queenstown offers what ScreenHub (Australian film and TV outlet) called a “stunning” natural palette — dramatic mountains, lakes, and native bush that shift with the seasons. The location also benefits from New Zealand’s production incentives and the infrastructure at Remarkable Studios, which was built to attract international productions.
The pattern: streaming services increasingly fund destination-based crime dramas (think Broadchurch in Dorset or The Bridge in Copenhagen). Queenstown gives A Remarkable Place to Die a visual brand that sets it apart from studio-bound rivals.
What is A Remarkable Place to Die about?
Detective Anais Mallory returns to her hometown of Queenstown after a long absence and takes up a post on the homicide beat. As she investigates a series of murders — beginning with the killing of a young woman named Maja — she also digs into the mysterious death of her own father years earlier. Apple TV (streaming platform with series description) frames it as a story about “a detective forced to confront her past while solving present crimes.” Wikipedia (crowdsourced TV encyclopedia) adds that the series is set in Queenstown and follows Mallory on the homicide beat and into the mystery of her father’s recent death.
The show blends a classic procedural structure — each episode introduces a new case — with a serialized personal arc. The result is a hybrid that keeps casual viewers engaged while rewarding those who watch in sequence.
Why this matters: the dual-case format means the show has a built-in engine for multiple seasons. With Season 2 already confirmed, the personal stakes (the father’s death) will likely continue as a red thread.
Upsides
- Stunning New Zealand scenery adds visual depth
- Strong central performance by Anais Mallory
- Episodic mysteries keep each episode self-contained
- Satisfying blend of closed cases and serialized arcs
Downsides
- 90-minute episodes may feel slow for some viewers
- Familiar procedural tropes without major innovation
- Limited international streaming availability
- Secondary characters lack development
Timeline
Two key dates define the show’s journey so far:
- 2024 – Season 1 premieres on UKTV
- Ongoing – Season 2 renewed, filming underway, expected 2026
Source: IMDb for premiere, Deadline for renewal.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Season 1 released in 2024 on UKTV (IMDb)
- Filmed in Queenstown, New Zealand (IMDb)
- Season 2 greenlit in November 2025 (Deadline)
- 90-minute episode format (Rotten Tomatoes)
What’s unclear
- Exact release date for Season 2
- Full cast for Season 2
- Streaming availability in countries outside UK/US
- Number of episodes in Season 2
Quotes from critics
“A Remarkable Place to Die is stunning and safe — the kind of show you put on when you want a beautiful backdrop and a satisfying mystery.”
“The episodic mystery and continuing story are both satisfying — the show moves along well.”
“A solid, bingeable mystery that benefits from its unique New Zealand setting.”
For crime drama fans in the UK and US, A Remarkable Place to Die is a reliable, visually rich option — but its slow pace and trope-heavy plotting may not convert casual viewers. With Season 2 on the horizon and production locked into Queenstown’s remarkable landscapes, the series has a clear identity. The catch: if the second season doesn’t deepen the character work or break from formula, it risks becoming a beautiful backdrop with nothing new to say. For UKTV and Acorn TV subscribers, the choice is clear: stream Season 1 now and decide for yourself.
For a complete breakdown of the cast and episode count, check out a detailed season 2 guide from Canada Briefing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the age rating of A Remarkable Place to Die?
The series is rated TV-14 for violence, language, and thematic elements, consistent with most crime dramas.
How long is each episode of A Remarkable Place to Die?
Each episode runs approximately 90 minutes — nearly feature-length — according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Is A Remarkable Place to Die based on a true story?
No. The show is a fictional crime drama. However, its Queenstown setting is real and has been used in other productions.
Who created A Remarkable Place to Die?
The series was produced by Screentime NZ, a Banijay company, but the specific creator has not been widely publicized. Banijay is the production group.
Is A Remarkable Place to Die available to stream in the United States?
Yes. It streams on Acorn TV via Apple TV in the US.
How many seasons of A Remarkable Place to Die are planned?
Only two seasons have been confirmed – the first has aired, and the second is in production. No further seasons have been announced.
Are there any spin‑offs or related series?
No spin-offs have been announced. The series stands alone as a single-crime-drama franchise.
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