Rodgers signs up with TV3

Press, 13 December 1989, Page 18

Rodgers signs up with TV3

One of New Zealand’s best known actors awardwinning Ilona Rodgers, has signed with the TV3’s production company, Isambard. The high-profile performer, who has won two Liftas for her role as Maxine Redfern in the series “Gloss,” has joined the cast of the major TV3 period drama series “Black Beauty.” The international coproduction — a continuation of the family favourite made in the 70s — began filming in New Zealand on December 4. The 26 half-hour episodes will screen in the middle of next year. Kel Geddes, TV3’s President of Network Programming, says Rodgers contract with Isambard, a company which makes programmes exclusively for TV3, is seen as a great boost for the network. He sees the relationship between TV3 and Rodgers as an ongoing one, with another project already in discussion.

“When you get someone like Ilona you don’t waste their talents,” he says. Rodgers is playing Hilda, a warm-hearted blacksmith living in colonial New Zealand.

Rodgers, who until very recently was living on an Onewhero farm, near Auckland, has played several pioneering-type country roles in the past, including “Hunter’s Gold” in New Zealand and “Sara Dane” in Australia.

“Although, I must say,” she says, “that I’ve never played a blacksmith before!”