Tatau is BBC Three’s new fantasy drama from the makers of Being Human.
The eight-part series is written by Richard Zajdlic, who has previously written episodes of By Any Means, Strike Back, This Life and EastEnders.
Tatau stars Joe Layton (New Worlds, Father Brown) and Theo Barklem-Biggs (The Inbetweeners Movie, Silk) as a pair of 20-something friends from London travelling the world looking for sun, fun and adventure.
The cast also includes Dutch actor Barry Atsma, with various New Zealand actors including Shushila Takao, Cian Elyse White, Tai Berdinner-Blades, Temuera Morrison, Alex Tarrant, Rawiri Jobe, Kirk Torrance and Rangimoana Taylor.
Episode 1
Sunday 12 April 2015, 10pm
Excited about their eventual destination – the Cook Islands – Kyle has designed and had inked on him a Maori-style tattoo. But when they arrive on the beautiful South Pacific island of Manutaki his marking soon provokes unexpected reactions from the locals.
The two throw themselves in to island life, flirting with the ladies and sampling a local hallucinogenic drink. But their fun comes to an abrupt end when, while snorkelling in a lagoon, Kyle finds the body of local girl Aumea tied up underwater – dead. Returning to the lagoon with the police, Kyle finds her corpse has disappeared. But Kyle knows what he saw, despite the protestations of his friends and the locals Mauntaki residents…
Desperate to uncover what has happened, Kyle and Budgie enter a world of Maori myths, symbols, and visions that will change their lives forever.
Episode 2
Sunday 19 April 2015, 10pm
Kyle is determined to uncover the meaning of his discovery, following a revelation at the airport.
In his quest to learn more about Aumea he stirs up trouble with her powerful Cook Island family, forcing him to take dangerous and extreme action.
As Kyle’s behaviour stars to undermine their friendship, Budgie makes a rash decision.
Episode 3
Sunday 26 April 2015, 10pm
Kyle desperately seeks evidence that will prove his claims, but finds himself heading towards the very fate he was hoping to escape.
Meanwhile, Budgie’s rash decision has bigger and more dangerous implications than he could ever have imagined.
A jealous Tyler’s actions have drastic repercussions for both Kyle and Budgie, as the Cook Island residents take matters in to their own hands.
Episode 4
Sunday 3 May 2015, 10pm
On the mainland, it’s not long before the trail of trouble that Kyle and Budgie have left behind catches up with them.
When Budgie goes missing, Kyle finds out how just much trouble his friend is in and seeks help from the last person he wants to – leading to a devastating conclusion.
Episode 5
Sunday 10 May 2015, 10pm
As Kyle struggles to cope with recent events, another terrible vision pushes him further into crisis.
But after a long dark night, a startling discovery could change everything.
Meanwhile, back on the Island, Lara’s undercover operation is coming to a head. The smuggling operation has been exposed, but what is Maui’s involvement?
Episode 6
Sunday 10 May 2015, 10.40pm
Kyle returns to the island of Manutaki convinced that, with help from an unexpected source, he can save Aumea. But his attempts have disturbing results.
Meanwhile one character’s true nature is revealed, the hunt for the missing Dries continues and Maui makes a decision that may come back to haunt him.
Episode 7
Sunday 17 May 2015, 10pm
After defying death in last week’s episode, Kyle discovers a new power which enables him to uncover Dries’ murder.
Suspicion falls on Maui, and Lara is forced into an agonizing decision that sends the Vaipiti family into crisis. But is Koringo also involved and, if so, can anyone prove it?
With Budgie back by his side, Kyle thinks he’s finally convinced Aumea to believe him and alter future events, but they are all unaware that the Bikers are loose upon the Island with dark intentions of their own.
Episode 8
Sunday 17 May 2015, 10.40pm
Kyle’s plans may have been hampered, but he is still determined to change the future.
With Calcott prophesising Armageddon, Maui languishing in prison and Koringo preparing for the wedding, Kyle finds unlikely allies in his last ditch attempt to discover the truth and save Aumea.
But as he battles to stop his terrible visions from becoming reality, the old myths vie with new, and the true purpose of Kyle’s journey to this island is finally revealed. His tattoo did not lie. Destiny cannot be avoided.
Watch the trailer…
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