Street Legal

Street Legal’s slick Kiwi take on urban crime and law racked up a stack of nominations over four seasons— including a 2003 NZ TV Award for Best Drama Series. Although initially worried the Auckland setting might alienate viewers, writer Greg McGee chose a Samoan lawyer (Jay Laga’aia) as his main character, to exploit the show’s inner-city Ponsonby setting (where cafe society bumps into Pacifika immigrant culture). Other characters included Silesi’s lawyer ex-girlfriend Joni, and her new partner Kees, a stressed detective.