Strangers

The "kids stumble on criminals" premise of this kidult thriller was practically an NZ TV staple in the 1980s (Terry and the Gunrunners, The Fire-Raiser). The series was brought to life by author Margaret Mahy and the director/producer team of Peter Sharp and Chris Bailey (vying with a schedule disrupted by Cyclone Bola). Mahy creates a world of disguises and intrigue for a young cast including Martin Henderson (in his screen debut), Hamish McFarlane (fresh from Vincent Ward’s The Navigator), Joel Tobeck and deaf actor Sonia Pivac.