Television Series
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys & Xena: Warrior Princess
1995–2001
Filmed In
Auckland
Towns & Areas
Bethells Beach · Waitākere Ranges
The Story
The ultimate cult-classic 90s fantasy adventure shows. These action-packed series brought ancient Greek mythology to life, following the demigod Hercules and the reformed warlord Xena as they traveled the ancient world fighting for the greater good.
The Stars
Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Renée O'Connor (Gabrielle). Together this cast carried two of the most widely syndicated adventure shows of the 1990s, largely shot around Auckland.
Behind the Lens
Executive produced by Hollywood giant Sam Raimi and local legend Rob Tapert. Both shows were produced by Rob Tapert, who went on to base much of his ongoing production work in New Zealand.
Why NZ?
The production team discovered that the lush, diverse landscapes just outside of Auckland could effortlessly double for ancient Greece, Rome, and fantasy realms. The black sands of Bethells Beach and the forests of the Waitākere Ranges became iconic recurring backdrops. Two decades on, both locations remain some of the most quietly recognisable 90s fantasy-TV backdrops in the country.
On Set
Kevin Sorbo met his future wife while working on the New Zealand-based production. Lucy Lawless, playing Xena, is a genuine Aucklander — her father served as the real-life Mayor of Mount Albert, a detail local audiences have always appreciated.
Legacy
Both shows were massive first-run syndication hits through the 1990s, and are widely credited with helping establish New Zealand as a viable base for large-scale international television production.
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