Nothing Trivial finale confirmed

Nothing Trivial will have a two-hour finale, funded by NZ On Air.

Fans of cancelled Kiwi TV series Nothing Trivial will get their cliffhanger questions answered at last.

NZ On Air announced today it has funded a two-hour tele-feature to wrap up the series after the final of season three ended on a cliffhanger.

The feature will receive $1.6m to be produced by South Pacific Pictures, and is expected to screen on TV One later this year.

Viewers had been left hanging about whether central character Catherine, played by Tandi Wright, was dead or alive, after the final episode.

NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson said the programme's 265,000 loyal fans deserved "the catharsis of a conclusion''.

"We think it's important to encourage top quality local drama projects. A conclusion may also make the possibility of overseas sales of the series more viable,'' said Wrightson.

Fans were furious when TVNZ announced it wouldn't be commissioning a further series because of a drop in ratings.

An online petition to bring back the show gained more than 2000 signatures, and a Facebook page, Bring Back Nothing Trivial, earned more than 8000 likes.

Actor Shane Cortese, who plays Mac in the show, posted a message to fans on the page just yesterday: "We love your support of the show, when we get together we talk about you guys and the love of it, shows peak and trough, strong eps, not so strong eps, that's the nature of long running drama, certainly wish we could have brought you more, it was a pretty special show to make''.

When the show was cut, TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said it was sympathetic with supporters but the fact remained the show had lost 150,000 viewers in the final season.

Fans of the show have celebrated the news, but some say it still doesn't make up for the series being cancelled.

On the Bring Back Nothing Trivial Facebook page, the news was announced this afternoon: "YES!!!!!!!!! A two-hour tele-feature will screen later this year!''

Shona McLean wrote: "Great news Thank you NZ on air''.

But Kylee Rangi posted: "Hmmm, still doesn't bring the actual show back though''.

And Hilary van Uden welcomed the news, with one condition: "yesss! as long as Catherine lives, mind!!''