By LOUISA CLEAVE
Successful New Zealand drama Street Legal has become the first local production in more than seven years to receive public funding for a third series.
New Zealand On Air has given Street Legal maker Screenworks $4.6 million towards another 13 episodes of the series, which airs on TV2.
The subsidy
works out at just over $350,000 an episode, which is likely to amount to less than half the cost of making the show.
With the latest funding announcement, NZ On Air has now pumped more than $10 million into Street Legal.
The last drama to receive funding for a third series was Marlin Bay, in 1993.
Street Legal became the first New Zealand drama to be bought by a major Australian broadcaster when it was sold to the Seven network. It has also been sold to several European broadcasters.
