Secrecy surrounds Hugh Hefner TV show shot in Auckland

A TV series about Playboy boss Hugh Hefner, seen here with his third wife Crystal Hefner, is believed to be underway in Auckland. Photo/Getty

A small screen adaptation of the life and times of Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner is being filmed in New Zealand.

The Herald understands a TV adaptation of the life of the 90-year-old mogul, known for dating many of the girls who have modelled for his magazine, is underway in Auckland.

And one of the show's extras was told to expect nudity when he arrived on set.

Little is known about the production, including which American TV network it is being shot for, or whether or not it is related to an Amazon Prime "docuseries" called American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story announced last week.

The Herald heard of one extra who was told to expect plenty of nudity on set during the production.

The actor playing Hefner is yet to be announced; nor is it known which part of Hefner's life the series will focus on.

In 2013, Rolling Stone reported Warner Bros were working on a big screen biopic written by The Queen's Peter Morgan, with Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin slated to direct.

Hefner resides at the 29-room Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles with his third wife Crystal Hefner.

The Mansion was sold in June to Hefner's next-door-neighbour in June, but under the condition that Hefner is allowed to continue living at the mansion.

The Hefner series is just one of several international film and TV projects in production in New Zealand, with Jason Statham shooting shark movie Meg here.

Zombie-comedy show Ash vs Evil Dead and fantasy show The Shannara Chronicles are also based in New Zealand.

Ghost in the Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson, recently wrapped filming in Wellington.