Gloss is a television drama series in New Zealand that screened from 1987 to 1990. The series was about the lives of the rich, famous and fashionable people involved with a fashion magazine owned by the Redfern family.
It was a starting point for many actors who went on to many productions in New Zealand, Australia and around the world including Temuera Morrison, Miranda Harcourt, Peter Elliott, Lisa Chappell, Danielle Cormack and Kevin Smith. Many of them would go on to star in Shortland Street.
Produced in-house by the TVNZ drama department, the show was the brainchild of scriptwriter Rosemary McLeod and producer Janice Finn. Other writers included James Griffin, who went on to write Outrageous Fortune, Ian Mune, Judy Callingham, Liddy Holloway, Judith Fyfe, Debra Daley and Ross Hastings. Directors included Chris Bailey, Aileen O'Sullivan, Murray Reece, Wayne Tourell and Peter Sharp.
The show's title theme song was performed by Beaver Morrison.
The show has not been rescreened since its original screening (nor is it available on DVD), but selected extracts have been made available for viewing on NZ On Screen.
Cast
Major characters Ilona Rodgers as Maxine Redfern Lisa Chappell as Chelsea Redfern Donna Clark as Caro Redfern Peter Elliott as Rex Thorne/Redfern Miranda Harcourt as Gemma Stace/Redfern Michael Keir-Morrissey as Bradley Redfern (credited as Michael Morrissey) Yvonne Lawley as Olivia Redfern Simon Prast as Alistair Redfern
Minor characters Andy Anderson as Matt Winter Christine Bartlett as Bridget Brigitte Berger as Alexandra Raewyn Blade as Poppy Broadbent Alistair Browning as Paul Harper Danielle Cormack as Tania Veitch Gary Day as Aaron Sloane/Bryce Redfern Geoff Dolan as Neil Palmer Sean Duffy as Campbell Mark Ferguson as Giles Mitcalfe !Ross Girven as Chris Dunbar-Jones Paul Gittins as Julian Gordon Harcourt as Matthew Stace (Gemma's brother) Ian Harcourt as Carter 'Panic' Crosby Kate Harcourt as Mrs Stace (Gemma's mother) Derek Hardwick as Sam Freddie Hemara as Mark Bill Johnson as Mr Stace (Gemma's father) Phil Keoghan as Hamish Jay Laga'aia as Simon Pania Lassey as Pania Nathaniel Lees as Phil Jennifer Ludlam as Cheryl Gravestock Judy McIntosh as Jessica Dunbar-Jones Mark Maiden as Greg Temuera Morrison as Sean Mitchell Geeling Ng as Jasmine Sage Craig Parker as Justin Grigg Sylvia Rands as Maria Klein Kerry Smith as Magda McGrath Kevin Smith as Damien Vermeer Stephen Tozer as Reid Susan Trainor as Melissa Cartwright Davina Whitehouse as Dorothy Dunbar-Jones
Episodes
Season 1 (1987) The first series of Gloss was broadcast on Network Two on Thursdays at 8pm from August through December 1987, and consisted of 18 episodes.
Episode 1.01 (Thursday 13 August 1987) — written by Rosemary McLeod, directed by Chris Bailey There's a Redfern wedding underway and under wraps. What would happen if Maxine (Ilona Rodgers) found out is too horrible to contemplate. Gloss's big story had a question mark hanging over it and Gemma Stace (Miranda Harcourt) is trying to get grips with the big city.
Episode 1.02 (Thursday 20 August 1987) — written by Jeffrey Thomas, directed by Wayne Tourell What will Maxine do? Brad (Michael Keir-Morrissey) and Caro's (Donna Clark) marriage has got off to a less than certain beginning, Gemma's first assignment turns out to be more than she bargained for and Chelsea (Lisa Chappell) is proving to be quite a handful.
Episode 1.03 (Thursday 27 August 1987) — written by Debra Daley, directed by Gregory Rood Maxine decides that Gloss needs a more positive image but someone forgets to tell Chelsea, there's a new magazine on the horizon and Maxine has a little surprise for Olivia (Yvonne Lawley).
Episode 1.04 (Thursday 3 September 1987) — written by Debra Daley, directed by Gregory Rood Brad tries to bribe his way into Chelsea's good books with disastrous results, Gloss has some new competition and Gemma is learning the hard way.
Episode 1.05 (Thursday 10 September 1987) — written by Charlie Strachan, directed by Chris Bailey Maxine has always regarded hate mail as an occupational hazard but this is getting out of control, Olivia has to pull a few strings and Brad's business dealings could have an adverse effect on his marriage.
Episode 1.06 (Thursday 17 September 1987) — written by Rosemary McLeod, directed by Wayne Tourell Maxine takes Caro on a lunch date that is not all it seems, Chelsea is having Rex Thorne (Peter Elliott) trouble and Gemma agonises over the agony aunt.
Episode 1.07 (Thursday 24 September 1987) — written by Jeffrey Thomas, directed by Aileen O'Sullivan There is a new issue of Electra, one that contains an unpleasant surprise for Maxine, Brad's business ambitions suffer a blow and Gemma is driven to seek solace in strange quarters.
Episode 1.08 (Thursday 1 October 1987) — written by Charlie Strachan, directed by Peter Barrett It's Chelsea's birthday party and the storm clouds gather on the horizon, Maxine digs up some dirt on Caro and Gemma is having relationship problems.
Episode 1.09 (Thursday 8 October 1987) — written by Charlie Strachan, directed by Gregory Rood The birthday party descends into a seething mass of accusations and recriminations, Gemma's big story has alarm bells ringing in the Redfern empire and Greg (Mark Maiden) returns to the scene of the crime.
Episode 1.10 (Thursday 15 October 1987) — written by Debra Daley, directed by Chris Bailey Caro and Brad's marriage faces it biggest test and Maxine is waiting in the wings, Alistair (Simon Prast) and Sam (Derek Hardwick) conspire and Gemma is made an offer she can't refuse.
Episode 1.11 (Thursday 22 October 1987) — written by Liddy Holloway, directed by Aileen O'Sullivan Brad and Caro reach an all-time low or do they? Gemma learns a thing or two about ambition and Jasmine (Geeling Ng) lands Gloss in a whole heap of trouble.
Episode 1.12 (Thursday 29 October 1987) — written by Rosemary McLeod, directed by Peter Barrett The scent of seduction is in the air, Gloss hits the pits as the vultures circle and Maxine has a plan for Alistair.
Episode 1.13 (Thursday 5 November 1987) — written by Charlie Strachan, directed by Gregory Rood Crunch time for Brad and Caro, but where's Brad? Gemma does a spot of investigative journalism, Campbell (Sean Duffy) has a rather dubious business proposal but Alistair has other things on his mind.
Episode 1.14 (Thursday 12 November 1987) — written by Judy Callingham, directed by Wayne Tourell The strangest people are interested in Olivia's fate, Alistair gets a bit too greedy for his own good and a change of direction for Gloss.
Episode 1.15 (Thursday 19 November 1987) — written by Debra Daley, directed by Aileen O'Sullivan Alistair stumbles from crisis to crisis, fast becoming aware that his life is disappearing before his very eyes, Rex makes his big move as Maxine prepares to clip his wings and with Brad at the helm will the Redfern family survive?
Episode 1.16 (Thursday 26 November 1987) — written by Judy Callingham, directed by Peter Barrett Olivia's got a little secret, one that the rest of the family may not be overly thrilled about, tension runs high at the Gloss office as the showdown with Phoenix looms and a dinner party at the Redferns has more than its share of surprise guests.
Episode 1.17 (Thursday 3 December 1987) — written by Liddy Holloway, directed by Gregory Rood The Redfern family has been stood completely on its head, wedded bliss for Alistair? Gloss without Maxine? Meanwhile, Brad is haunted by the past and Rex is toying with his newfound power.
Episode 1.18 (Thursday 10 December 1987) — written by Rosemary McLeod, directed by Wayne Tourell Will Gemma make it down the aisle? Is Rex's world looking a bit on the shaky side? And where is Bridget? Alistair and Gemma's wedding day looks set to rock the foundations of the Redfern family.
Gloss: The First Year Screening in June 1988, Gloss: The First Year was a two part retrospective of the first series of Gloss.
Part 1 (Thursday 2 June 1988) Arch rival Rex is undermining Maxine and the new edition of Gloss is a pale shadow of its former self, Brad and Caro's fairytale marriage is in trouble and Alistair is among the first to offer condolences.
Part 2 (Thursday 9 June 1988) Olivia has a new grandson and Maxine is about to get a new daughter-in-law, has Alistair bitten off more than he can chew and who is Aaron Sloane (Gary Day)?
Season 2 (1988) The second series (commonly known as Gloss II) was broadcast on Network Two on Tuesdays at 9pm from June through September 1988, and consisted of 13 episodes.
Episode 2.01 (Tuesday 21 June 1988) — written by Rosemary McLeod, directed by Aileen O'Sullivan A month has passed since the disaster of the wedding, but the scandal still haunts the Redfern clan. What has become of Gemma? What surprises will Maxine spring on the family this time round? Why has Aaron Sloane come back from the dead? The saga continues.
Episode 2.02 (Tuesday 28 June 1988) — written by Jeffrey Thomas, directed by Murray Reece Aaron Sloane or Bryce Redfern? Brad's paranoia is growing. Rex's life is not all it could be as he is forced to do some serious grovelling. Maxine, the perfect mother, takes the kids into the country with surprising results.
Episode 2.03 (Tuesday 5 July 1988) — written by Liddy Holloway, directed by Tony Holden It's a red letter day for the Redferns. The family business goes public, there's a new career for Chelsea, Alistair faces up to his latest acquisition and Rex has a less than happy time but what does Maxine have to celebrate?
Episode 2.04 (Tuesday 12 July 1988) — written by Ian Mune, directed by Peter Barrett As the wheelings and dealings around the public float of the Redfern Group continue. A new business deal for Rex has its hidden side, and Maxine's life is coming up roses, or is it.
Episode 2.05 (Tuesday 19 July 1988) — written by Liddy Holloway, directed by Aileen O'Sullivan The family gathers as the repercussions of the tragedy spread. Rex faces up to his newfound status and Magda has an intriguing night out but Maxine grows increasingly troubled at the thought of recent events.
Episode 2.06 (Tuesday 26 July 1988) — written by Rosemary McLeod, directed by Murray Reece A death in the family. As the day of the funeral draws near the Redfern family begins to fall apart. Was it suicide? Caro thinks so. Was it murder? Maxine isn't sure. Chelsea, meanwhile, seeks solace in the strangest places.
Episode 2.07 (Tuesday 2 August 1988) — written by Ian Mune, directed by Janice Finn Down, but certainly not out. Rex's revenge gives Maxine very little time to enjoy herself but the worst is yet to come, Alistair's domestic problems aren't helped by a surprise visitor, the path of true love is not running smooth for Sean and Magda and time may be running out.
Episode 2.08 (Tuesday 9 August 1988) — written by Judy Callingham, directed by Peter Barrett Revelation time. Maxine closes in on her prey but this beast is most dangerous when cornered, there is a surprise for Sean (Temuera Morrison) and Magda, a new footing for Alistair and Sophie (????) and a mysterious visitor at the Gloss office.
Episode 2.09 (Tuesday 16 August 1988) — written by Lex Van Os, directed by Aileen O'Sullivan Viva Maxine. While she exercises her newfound power in a most unusual way Rex broods, a decision for Magda, temptation for Alistair and Chelsea learns that there is more to the modelling business than meets the eye.
Episode 2.10 (Tuesday 23 August 1988) — written by Ian Mune, directed by Janice Finn Down but certainly not out. Rex's revenge gives Maxine very little time to enjoy herself but the worst is yet to come, Alistair's domestic problems aren't helped by a surprise visitor, the path of true love is not running smooth for Sean and Magda and time may be running out.