Series 3 (Westside)

Series 3 (Westside)
Episodes	8
Originally Aired	2017
Setting	1982

Series 3 of Westside premiered on July 10, 2017 on Three and consists of eight episodes. It is set in the summer of 1982.

Setting and plot

The series is set three months following the second series, in the summer of 1982.

One of the key storylines of the series will be the entry of young Cheryl West.

Episodes

"Episode 1" July 10, 2017

Directed by: Murray Keane - Written by: Kate McDermott - Viewers: 200,000

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"Episode 2" July 17, 2017

Directed by: Murray Keane - Written by: James Griffin - Viewers: 141,000

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"Episode 3" July 24, 2017

Directed by: Michael Hurst - Written by: James Griffin - Viewers: 203,000

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"Episode 4" July 31, 2017

Directed by: Michael Hurst - Written by: Kate McDermott - Viewers: {{{viewers}}}

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"Episode 5" August 7, 2017

Directed by: Murray Keane - Written by: Shoshana McCallum - Viewers: {{{viewers}}}

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"Episode 6" August 14, 2017

Directed by: Murray Keane - Written by: Shoshana McCallum and James Griffin - Viewers: {{{viewers}}}

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"Episode 7" August 21, 2017

Directed by: Michael Hurst - Written by: Nick Ward - Viewers: 205,900

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"Episode 8" August 28, 2017

Directed by: Michael Hurst - Written by: James Griffin - Viewers: 184,300

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Cast

• Antonia Prebble as Rita West
• David De Lautour as Theodore "Ted" West
• Reef Ireland as Wolfgang "Wolf" West
• Dan Musgrove as Lefty Munroe
• Esther Stephens as Ngaire Munroe
• Todd Emerson as Bilkey van Heeder
• Pana Hema-Taylor as Bert Thompson
• Xavier Horan as Phineas O'Driscoll
• Sophie Hambleton as Carol O'Driscoll
• Will Hall as Mike McArthy
• Jordan Mooney as Eric Grady
• Patrick Tafa as Falani
• Caleb Wells as Barry "Sparky" Gibbs
• Kirsten Ibbetson as Riana Adams
• Jessie Lawrence as Jeanette Miller
• Dean O'Gorman as Evan Lace
• Shane Cortese as Danny Peters
• Pierre Beasley as Hayden Peters
• Elizabeth Dowden as Theresa
• Jodie Dorday as Trish Miller
• Lily Powell as Mandy Miller
• Grace Neely as Chelsea Munroe
• Ella Shirtcliffe as Lisa Munroe
• Matthew Arbuckle as Shane
• Laura McGoldrick as Wendy
• Jason Hodzelmans as Brian
• Geoffrey Dolan as Neville
• Katlyn Wong as Joyce Hong
• Glen Levy as Darijo Doslic
• Laura Hill as Belinda Lace
• Tonci Pivac as Detective
• Tama Jarman as Steve
• Ashleigh Cummings as Cheryl Miller

Development

NZ On Air confirmed on August 2, 2016 that they would provide up to NZ$6,583,500 in funding support for a third series consisting of eight episodes and revealed that it would be set in 1982 – "the year of the catchphrase Think Big." Chief Executive Jane Wrightson of NZ On Air stated: "The Wests and New Zealand in the 80’s provide such a rich bed for a drama it would be difficult to resist seeing where the writers can take us next. We are thrilled to support this well-made, quintessential kiwi drama again..."

NZ Herald revealed on August 13, 2016 that a young Cheryl West would be introduced in the series, with the entry of the character being one of the series' key storylines. Creator and writer James Griffin said: "The thing with Westside is there are certain timelines and storylines that are predetermined, thanks to Outrageous Fortune. The story of young Wolf meeting young Cheryl is one of these things."

 Just as for the previous two series, Eliot Naimie continued as the "car wrangler" for the show. A "car-sting call" searching for vintage cars from 1982 and earlier was posted on social media, asking people to submit a photo of their car to be featured on the show.

Casting

Elizabeth Dowden with the script for episode 1.

Hundreds of hopefuls auditioned for the role of Cheryl West, but the producers had still not made a decision about who would portray her when the series started filming on October 30. Producer Mark Beesley said: "We need someone with recognisable qualities that Robyn Malcolm brought to the role" and that "We don't want an impersonation of Robyn... A good actor will own the part and her entrance to the show will be a surprise."

The producers kept the identity of the actress who got the role as 16-year-old Cheryl hidden. Antonia Prebble suggested the actress who got the part.

On-set pics of an actress in bed leaked and NZ Herald Spy revealed that the actress cast as Cheryl was either Jessie Lawrence, Lily Powell or Elizabeth Dowden. However, these were all proven to be wrong when the series premiered and it was revealed that Lawrence and Powell played Cheryl's sisters Jeanette and Mandy, respectively, while Dowden played the escort Theresa.

Production

Filming

Filming for series 3 started on October 30, 2016. Shooting took place from Sundays to Thursdays every week.

Michael Hurst returned to direct episodes 3, 4, 7 and 8 of series 3, just like he did for series 2. He started pre-production on his episodes in the week of October 24. Filming of episodes 3 and 4 started in the week of November 14.

Scenes featuring golfers were filmed on 13 Knox Road, Swanson on the 22nd of November. Scenes featuring punkers and rebellious teens partying were filmed on the 24th, 28th and 29th of November and the 12th of December. Scenes featuring Doslic henchmen were filmed in Eden Terrace and Swanson on the 29th and 30th of November. Scenes featuring Mrs. Falani were filmed on Eden Terrace on the 29th of November.

Additional scenes featuring Doslic henchmen were filmed in Henderson, Swanson and Te Atatu (West Auckland) on the 24th, 25th and 29th of January and 1st of February.

Elizabeh Dowden filmed her final scenes on January 25. Filming of episodes seven and eight was completed in the first week of February. Production wrapped on February 2, 2017.

Filming locations

• Eden Terrace
• Swanson
• 13 Knox Road, Swanson

Release

The premiere date of Monday July 10, 2017, was announced on June 24. The first two trailers, one of which focused on the appearance of Cheryl West in the series, were released on June 27.

The first episode was released online on Friday July 7, three days prior to the television broadcast, for fans who took an online quiz proving them to be "Westside Worthy".

Images

Promo photoshoot

Still photos

Production

Table read

October 23: Pana and Patrick.

October 23: Benny Tatton (location manager).

October 25: Jordan getting his hair dyed.

October 25: Reef Ireland back in New Zealand.

Oct 26: Antonia Prebble's script for episode 1.

October 26: Todd Emerson getting the perm done.

Oct 27: Will Hall in McCarthy's robe.

October 27: Pana's script for episode 1.

October 28: Jordan and Reef

October 28

Oct 30: David, Todd and Daniel on the first day of production.

November 1

November 1

November 1

November 2

Ducks on set.

November 14 – David photographing on location at the West House.

November 15 – David and Pana on set at the West House

November 15 – Cars outside a night shoot at the West House.

Press links

• August 2, 2016 – NZ On Air: "Ted, Rita and your favourite rogues will be back in 2017"
• August 2, 2016 – NZ Herald: "Westside returning for third season, but who is the mystery guest?"
• August 2, 2016 – Newshub: "Third season for Westside"
• August 14, 2016 – Spy News: "Westside producers launch search for young Cheryl"
• October 20, 2016 – Stuff: "Westside filming begins in west Auckland"
• October 31, 2016 – NZ Herald: "Westside 3: Hunt for the new Cheryl West is still on"
• November 3, 2016 – Stuff: "TV3's Westside calling all 70s car owners"