THINK YOU’VE SEEN EVERY TWIST A DETECTIVE DRAMA CAN THROW AT YOU? THIS NEW ZEALAND CRIME SERIES IS ABOUT TO MAKE YOU THINK AGAIN! Fans of Midsomer Murders, Broadchurch, Vera and Shetland have a gripping new mystery to get hooked on. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, this dark detective drama hides a chilling world of murder, family secrets and betrayals beneath its beautiful scenery. Starring Chelsie Preston Crayford and Rebecca Gibney, the series follows a homicide detective who returns to her hometown to investigate the mysterious deaths of her sister and father. But the deeper she digs, the more disturbing the case becomes. New murders emerge, old relationships unravel and long-buried secrets begin surfacing — with suspicion creeping dangerously close to home. With tangled mysteries, unexpected turns and a detective whose own past is tied to the case, this is the kind of crime drama that keeps viewers guessing until the truth comes into focus. TWO SEASONS. A TOWN FULL OF SECRETS. AND MURDERS THAT HIT FAR TOO CLOSE TO HOME. Both seasons are now available to stream — the perfect time to uncover what this New Zealand mystery has been hiding.

A picturesque New Zealand town, a determined detective and a string of murders hiding far darker secrets than anyone could imagine: A Remarkable Place to Die has all the ingredients of an addictive crime drama. Often compared to British favourites such as Midsomer Murders, Vera and Shetland, the series combines intriguing whodunnits with complicated family relationships and a striking setting.

At the centre of the story is homicide detective Anaís Mallory, played by Chelsie Preston Crayford. After returning to her hometown of Queenstown, Anaís finds herself investigating a series of disturbing crimes while trying to uncover the truth about two deeply personal tragedies: the deaths of her sister and father.

Her return also brings her face to face with people from her past, including her former fiancé Luke and her ex-best friend Maja, whose lives have become closely intertwined. As the cases grow more complicated, Anaís begins to question whether someone she once trusted could be connected to her family’s tragedies.

With its second season now available on U in the UK, the drama is attracting fresh attention from fans of atmospheric murder mysteries. Here’s what to know about the series, its story, cast and where to watch it.

What Is A Remarkable Place to Die About?

Set in the beautiful New Zealand resort town of Queenstown, the series follows Anaís Mallory (Chelsie Preston Crayford), a homicide detective who returns home after working in Sydney.

Although she takes on the role of the town’s lead detective, Anaís has another reason for coming back: she wants answers about the deaths of her sister Lynne and her father. Her sister’s death was initially classified by the coroner as a traffic accident, but Anaís remains unconvinced that the full story has been uncovered.

Her personal investigation unfolds alongside her official police work. Across the first season’s four feature-length episodes, she tackles a series of unusual cases, including a body discovered in an abandoned mine and a double murder at a remote campsite. Each investigation reveals another layer of Queenstown’s darker side, suggesting that the town’s postcard-perfect appearance conceals a troubling history.

Returning home also means confronting relationships she left unresolved. Anaís has a difficult relationship with her mother, Veronica Mallory (Rebecca Gibney), while her former fiancé Luke Staunton (Charles Jazz Terrier) is now married to her former best friend, Maja Staunton (Indiana Evans).

The situation becomes even more unsettling as Anaís begins to suspect that people close to her may know more about her family’s deaths than they are willing to admit.

Season 2 Raises the Stakes With an Even Darker Mystery

The second season picks up after the shocking events of the first, with Anaís continuing to search for answers surrounding her sister’s murder and the death of Maja.

Convinced that the two cases are connected, she launches an unofficial investigation of her own. Her search soon attracts unwanted attention, and increasingly sinister warnings suggest that someone is determined to prevent her from discovering the truth.

The mystery also takes the investigation beyond New Zealand. With help from her extended family and colleagues, Anaís follows a trail linking Maja’s murder to a series of killings in different parts of the world, where victims have been arranged as grotesque works of art.

Meanwhile, Queenstown’s police team must deal with a fresh collection of local crimes. These include a cold case connected to a body recovered from a lake, dangerous sabotage on mountain-bike trails and rivalries simmering beneath the town’s peaceful exterior.

The arrival of Detective Vernon Kincaid (Mark Mitchinson), an investigator from Invercargill brought in to lead the official inquiry, further complicates matters. His presence creates tension within the police station just as Anaís needs her colleagues more than ever.

Season 2 also expands the show’s scope with six feature-length episodes, compared with the first season’s four. The result is a broader mystery that gives its characters and investigations more room to develop.

Who Is in the Cast of A Remarkable Place to Die?

The series brings together an ensemble of established New Zealand and Australian performers, led by Chelsie Preston Crayford and Rebecca Gibney.

The main cast includes:

Chelsie Preston Crayford (Underbelly) as Anaís Mallory
Matt Whelan (The Tank) as Detective Simon Delaney
Charles Jazz Terrier (Legacies) as Luke Staunton
Rebecca Gibney (Under the Vines) as Veronica Mallory
Tara Canton (After the Party) as Lynne Mallory
Indiana Evans (Crownies) as Maja Staunton
Alex Tarrant (Night Raiders) as Dr Ihaka Cooper
Lynette Forday (Choose Love) as Sharon Li Feng
Mark Mitchinson (Bloodlines) as Vernon Kincaid
Michala Banas (Blue Murder Motel) as Kylie Shorrock
Utsa Chatterjee (Crystal Lake) as Dr Anjali Bali

Season 2 also features returning performers Roimata Fox and Dahnu Graham, alongside new additions including Luke Arnold, JJ Fong, Rodger Corser and Vinnie Bennett.

Is There a Trailer for A Remarkable Place to Die?

Yes. A trailer for the first season offers a glimpse of the series’ dramatic Queenstown setting, its central detective and the unsettling mysteries waiting beneath the town’s beautiful scenery.

Viewers can watch the trailer to get a sense of the show’s mix of crime-solving, family tension and atmospheric New Zealand landscapes.

Is A Remarkable Place to Die Worth Watching?

For viewers who enjoy character-driven detective dramas, the series offers a compelling combination of murder mysteries and personal drama.

Its most obvious appeal is its setting. Queenstown’s mountains, lakes and picturesque streets provide a striking backdrop for stories involving murder, deception and buried secrets. The contrast between the town’s peaceful appearance and the crimes unfolding within it gives the series much of its atmosphere.

However, the scenery is only part of the appeal. The individual cases are designed to be engaging and accessible, while Anaís’s unresolved family history provides a larger mystery running through the story. Chelsie Preston Crayford anchors the drama as a determined detective who refuses to abandon her search for answers, even when it puts her own relationships and safety at risk.

Fans of Vera, Midsomer Murders and Shetland may find plenty to enjoy here. The series also has shades of Happy Valley and Broadchurch, particularly in its focus on troubled family relationships, close-knit communities and investigations that uncover uncomfortable truths.

The second season has received particularly enthusiastic attention, with Good Housekeeping describing it as a bigger follow-up and comparing its combination of family drama and detective work to Happy Valley meeting Broadchurch with a New Zealand twist.

How Can You Watch A Remarkable Place to Die?

Both seasons of A Remarkable Place to Die are available to stream on U in the UK. The first season can also be found on Channel 4’s streaming service.

Season 2 premiered on U in November 2026, bringing six new feature-length episodes to viewers following its original run in New Zealand.

For anyone looking for a new detective series filled with intriguing cases, complicated relationships and breathtaking scenery, it is an appealing addition to the crime-drama watchlist.