Spy: Lucy Lawless zombie series to premiere in NZ

Lucy Lawless at San Diego Comic-Con. Photo / AP

Global zombie fans will be green with envy to hear that New Zealand will be the first country in the world to see Lucy Lawless star in Ash vs Evil Dead, when it hits our screens at the end of this month for Halloween on Sky Channel The Zone. Australia has boasted it will be first, but it is running two hours behind us. The US screening will be a day later, according to Zone channel.

It's a coup for New Zealand. That the series is being produced in Auckland by Lawless' husband, Rob Tapert, with Sam Raimi, makes it all the better.

Lawless stars alongside king of the "horror" genre, Bruce Campbell, who has told fans at Comic-Con to expect "kegs of blood". Spy asked Lawless what her favourite Halloween outfit was this year and how she was finding shooting in New Zealand.

"Well, it's very convenient because I can still take my kids to school on occasion or show up at parent-teacher meetings.

Lucy Lawless and Bruce Campbell, stars of Ash vs Evil Dead. Photo / Instagram via @realucylawless

"I was living in Louisiana and I couldn't do any of that when I was working on Salem but this is how my husband keeps me at home. The skills of our crews and the scenery are terrific but what we love best about filming here is keeping New Zealanders working."

Lawless' must-have costume this year is the female version of Ash from Ash vs Evil Dead.

According to Lucy Lawless, the hippest Halloween costume this year is the female Ash from ASH VS EVIL DEAD. Pictured with the real Ash, Bruce Campbell at Comic-Con this year. Photo / Supplied