The Bad Seed - First Episode

A shadow falls across the manicured gardens and floodlit pools of Remuera when ex-model Julia Stevens is murdered in her own kitchen. The storyline and characters for The Bad Seed came from The Night Book and Soon, two bestselling novels by Charlotte Grimshaw. In this excerpt from episode one, the Lampton family's comfortable world is rocked by the murder of their neighbour, and questions are asked of obstetrician Simon Lampton (Shortland Street's Matt Minto). He can't sleep, and his brother (Dean O'Gorman) is equally preoccupied. The series won a 2019 NZ TV Award for Best Drama Script.  

It's a murder mystery but also a family drama. Right at the heart of it is this family, and then this murder happens which triggers a series of events that puts each member of the family under incredible pressure. It's like a pressure cooker for them all and we really start to see their true selves come through.

– Actor Matt Minto on The Bad Seed, TV Guide, 4 April 2019

Key Cast & Crew

Vinnie Bennett

As: Detective Bennett

Matt Minto

As: Simon Lampton

Madeleine Sami

As: Detective Marie Da Silva

Dean O'Gorman

As: Ford Lampton

Jodie Hillock

As: Karen Lampton

Helena Brooks

Director