New Zealand is famous for a lot of things. Hobbits. Rugby. Breathtaking mountains. But if you’re a fan of cozy crime, you know the real treasure is a small, suspiciously murderous town called Brokenwood. Honestly, when The Brokenwood Mysteries season 1 first aired back in 2014, nobody quite knew if the world needed another detective show. We already had Midsomer Murders. We had Sherlock. Yet, there was something about Mike Shepherd’s rusted-out 1971 Buick Riviera and his obsession with country music that just clicked. It felt different. It felt real.
The show didn’t try to be "gritty" in that annoying, over-saturated way most modern dramas do. Instead, it gave us a sun-drenched, slightly quirky, and deeply human look at crime in a place where everybody knows your business but nobody wants to talk about the body in the vineyard.
What Actually Happens in The Brokenwood Mysteries Season 1?
It all starts with "Blood and Water." We meet DSS Mike Shepherd, played by Neill Rea. He’s sent from Auckland to this rural town to investigate a case, and—shocker—he decides to stay. He’s not your typical TV cop. He talks to the victims. No, literally. He talks to the corpses. It sounds morbid, but it’s actually kind of sweet in a "I respect you as a human being" sort of way.
Then there’s DC Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland). She’s the perfect foil to Mike. She’s by-the-book, disciplined, and initially, she thinks Mike is a total disaster. Watching their chemistry evolve over the first four feature-length episodes is the highlight of the season. They aren't "will-they-won't-they" tropes. They’re just two professionals trying to figure each other out while dealing with some truly bizarre local characters.
The Four Cases That Defined the Show
The first season is short—only four episodes—but they are massive. Each one is basically a movie.
Blood and Water: A farmer is found dead in the river. It looks like a suicide, but Mike isn't buying it. This episode sets the tone for the entire series. It introduces the recurring cast, like the eccentric Breen and the pathologically helpful neighbor, Jared Woodhouse (Pana Hema-Taylor). Jared is a vibe. He’s a Maori local who seems to have a hand in every industry in town, from wine-making to fishing.
Sour Grapes: This is the wine one. You can't have a show set in a New Zealand wine region without a murder at a wine show. A critic is found dead in a vat of fermenting grapes. It’s classic Christie-style mystery but with better scenery.
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Playing the Lie: Golf. Murder by golf ball? Almost. It's about a group of friends who find one of their own dead on the green. It explores the dark underbelly of "polite" society in a small town.
Hunting the Stag: A literal stag hunt goes wrong. A groom-to-be is shot, and it’s up to Mike and Sims to figure out which of his best friends pulled the trigger—or if it was someone else entirely.
Why Mike Shepherd is the Detective We Needed
Most TV detectives have some dark, tortured past. They’re usually alcoholics or they’ve lost a family member to a serial killer. Mike Shepherd? He’s just had a lot of wives. Five, to be exact. He loves country music. He drives a car that smells like old leather and dust.
He's refreshing.
He doesn't yell at his subordinates. He doesn't have a "mind palace." He just notices the things other people miss because he actually listens. Neill Rea brings this incredible, understated warmth to the role. He makes the act of solving a murder look like a casual conversation over a beer.
The Supporting Cast Makes the Town Real
Brokenwood isn't just a backdrop. It's a character.
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Take Mrs. Marlowe. She’s the town gossip who knows everyone’s secrets but delivers them with a side of knitted sweaters and tea. Or Ray Neilson, the man who owns seemingly every business in town, including the pub and the funeral parlor. These characters recur throughout the series, making the world feel lived-in. When you watch The Brokenwood Mysteries season 1, you aren't just watching a procedural; you're joining a community.
The "Cozy-Noir" Aesthetic
There’s a specific look to this show. It’s bright. The New Zealand sun is harsh and beautiful. But the crimes are often quite clever and occasionally dark. This juxtaposition is what fans call "cozy-noir." It’s safe enough to watch before bed, but smart enough to keep you guessing until the final fifteen minutes.
Unlike American procedurals that rely on high-tech labs and DNA results that come back in thirty seconds, Brokenwood relies on old-school police work. Interrogations. Checking alibis. Looking at footprints in the mud. It reminds us that at the end of the day, crime is usually about very human motivations: greed, jealousy, or just plain old accidents gone wrong.
Breaking Down the Criticisms
Is it perfect? Well, no. Some people find the pace a bit slow. Each episode is 90 minutes. If you’re used to the frantic editing of CSI, this might feel like a Sunday stroll. But that’s kind of the point. It’s meant to be savored.
Others argue that the "small town with a high murder rate" trope is unrealistic. I mean, sure. If Brokenwood were a real place, it would be the most dangerous city on earth by now. But we suspend our disbelief for Agatha Raisin and Father Brown, so why not for Mike Shepherd?
The dialogue can be a bit "kiwi-centric," too. If you aren't familiar with New Zealand slang, some of the jokes might fly over your head. But honestly, that’s what makes it authentic. They didn't "Americanize" it for a global audience, and thank goodness for that.
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Why You Should Rewatch Season 1 Right Now
If you're a long-time fan who has moved on to the later seasons, going back to The Brokenwood Mysteries season 1 is a trip. Seeing the early friction between Mike and Sims is hilarious given where they end up. The production values were high from the jump, and the writing in "Blood and Water" remains some of the tightest in the series' history.
It’s also a great way to appreciate the music. The show uses New Zealand Tui Award-winning country music artists. The soundtrack is a curated list of the best alt-country the country has to offer. It gives the show a soul that most stock-music procedurals lack.
Actionable Ways to Enjoy the Series
- Watch for the Buick: The car is basically the third lead. It’s a 1971 Riviera with "boattail" styling. It’s gorgeous and temperamental.
- Track the "Brokenwood" Coffee: Count how many times they mention or drink coffee. It’s the lifeblood of the station.
- Listen to the Lyrics: The songs playing in Mike’s car often mirror the themes of the episode. It’s a clever bit of "Easter egg" directing.
- Check the Credits: Look for Tim Balme. He’s the lead writer and a huge reason why the show’s tone remains so consistent over the years.
If you’re looking for a show that feels like a warm blanket but still challenges your brain, this is it. It’s quirky without being annoying. It’s serious without being depressing. It’s just... Brokenwood.
Getting Started with Your Watch
To get the most out of the experience, don't binge it all in one night. These are feature-length stories. Treat them like a "Saturday Night Mystery" event. Grab a glass of Pinot Noir (preferably not the one with a corpse in it) and settle in.
Start with the pilot, obviously. Pay attention to how Mike interacts with the locals compared to how Sims does. It’s a masterclass in character-driven storytelling. Once you finish the first four episodes, you’ll likely find yourself hitting "Next Episode" on season two before you even realize it. The hooks are subtle, but they sink in deep.
Explore the filming locations if you ever head to New Zealand. Many of the outdoor scenes are filmed around Warkworth, just north of Auckland. The rolling hills and lush vineyards are even better in person. For now, let the screen take you there. You won't regret the trip.