Farmers and their dogs herd sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures against the clock.

Returning to Local Screens

DEGANZ members Alex Galvin and Celia Jaspers are bringing beloved TV series A Dog’s Show back to local screens in a new family feature film.

Set in 1970s rural Aotearoa, A Dog’s Show tells the story of a disillusioned former sheepdog triallist who must come out of retirement—guided by his spirited granddaughter and their loyal dogs—to win one final trial and save the family farm.

The original series ran from 1977 to 1992 and cemented itself as a Kiwi classic. In each trial, a farmer equipped with whistles and commands instructed a sheepdog to wrangle a flock of sheep along a course or into a pen while the bearded and Swannie-clad John Gordon provided commentary.

Alex comments on the project, saying,

One of my fondest childhood memories was watching A Dog’s Show every Sunday night with my family. With this film, I want to honour that simplicity and charm, while telling a story full of warmth, humour and heart. I know that audiences—whether they know the original series or not—will fall in love with it.

Alex is the film’s writer, director, and one of three producers. Celia and Mark Westerby join him as producers, with renowned filmmaker Timothy White as EP. Scottish actor Graham McTavish, known for Outlander, The Witcher, The Hobbit and House of the Dragon, is set to play the role of Jack, a proud but weathered farmer facing one last chance at redemption.

Filming will take place across the greater Wellington region, with authentic dog trial sequences choreographed by Aotearoa’s top experts in the sport, using local farms, sheep and fully trained dogs.