Most crime dramas set in postcard-perfect towns use the scenery as a backdrop and nothing more. A Remarkable Place to Die makes the landscape a character in its own right, filming its remote murder mystery in the stunning Queenstown region of New Zealand.

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IMDb rating: 7.4/10 ·
Episodes in Season 1: 6 ·
Seasons renewed: 2 (expanded) ·
Original network: Channel 4 (UK); U (formerly UKTV) ·
Filming location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact season 2 release date
  • Whether season 2 will air outside UK/NZ
  • Total episode count for expanded season 2
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Season 2 expected to air in 2025 or 2026 (speculative)
  • Potential international streaming deals pending

The table below lays out the show’s fundamental specifications.

Key facts at a glance
Attribute Detail
Genre Crime drama
Country New Zealand / Australia
Network Channel 4 (UK)
First aired 2024
Number of seasons 1 (season 2 greenlit)
Lead actor Anaïs Mallory
Created by Philly de Lacey (StarNow (casting platform))
Filming location Queenstown, New Zealand (World Screen (industry publication))

The pattern: every key attribute ties directly to the show’s identity as a location-driven crime drama.

How many episodes does A Remarkable Place to Die have?

Season 1 episode guide

  • Season 1 consists of 6 episodes, a tight arc for the central murder mystery (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, allowing for a slow-burn reveal.
  • The first episode aired on on Channel 4 in the UK (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

What this means: the 6-hour commitment is minimal for a complete arc, making it easy to sample.

Duration of each episode

The 60-minute runtime is standard for a crime drama, but the pacing leans more toward character development than high-octane action. This may appeal to viewers who prefer a slower, scenic mystery.

Bottom line: For binge-watchers, season 1 delivers 6 hours of content. Those who savour atmosphere over speed will find the Queenstown backdrop worthwhile.

Is A Remarkable Place to Die worth watching?

What critics say

Critical reception has been mixed. Series creator Philly de Lacey described the show as revolving around “truth, lies, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love” (StarNow (casting platform)). The writing has been praised for its emotional core, but some critics note that the plot’s complexity can feel uneven. The setting, however, is universally lauded.

Audience reviews

  • IMDb rating: 7.4/10 from user votes – a solid but not outstanding score (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • Rotten Tomatoes audience score is not yet available at the time of writing.

Pros and cons

Upsides

  • Stunning Queenstown scenery adds visual appeal.
  • Lead performance by Anaïs Mallory delivers emotional weight.
  • Tight 6-episode arc avoids filler.

Downsides

  • Critics cite occasional plot contrivances.
  • Slow pacing may frustrate action-oriented viewers.
  • Limited international availability (no US streamer confirmed).

The implication: at 7.4 on IMDb, the series sits slightly above average for TV crime dramas.

The trade-off

Viewers who prioritise cinematography and atmosphere over plot density will find it rewarding; those expecting taut, non-stop mystery might feel shortchanged.

Where is A Remarkable Place to Die filmed?

Queenstown, New Zealand

The series is set and filmed in Queenstown (Tāhuna) on New Zealand’s South Island. The production uses Remarkable Studios, a purpose-built 2,300 sqm sound stage – the first of its kind in the region (Banijay (production group)). Exterior shots leverage the dramatic alpine lake scenery that makes the locale famous.

Other filming locations

While dedicated sound-stage work occurs at Remarkable Studios, the show’s remote campsite setting is captured on location across the Queenstown area. The environment is not just a backdrop; according to Apple TV (streaming platform), the series premise follows Detective Anaís Mallory returning to her hometown, making the location integral to the story.

The catch: the decision to build a permanent sound stage in Queenstown signals that the production is betting on the region for the long haul.

What to watch

For viewers, the authenticity of the filming location translates into immersive visuals that few studio-bound crime dramas can match.

Is there going to be a season 2 of A Remarkable Place to Die?

Season 2 greenlit

Yes. Screentime New Zealand, part of the Banijay group, confirmed a second season in 2024 (World Screen (industry publication)). The renewal is described as an expanded season, meaning more episodes than the original 6 (Banijay (production group)).

Expanded season 2 details

  • Filming began at Remarkable Studios in Queenstown in late 2025 (Banijay (production group)).
  • Wikipedia lists season 2 as having a 6-episode run (possibly the expanded count) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • The exact number of episodes and release window are not yet confirmed.

Expected release window

Given that season 1 debuted in November 2024 and season 2 went into production in 2025, a 2026 air date is a reasonable estimate—but no official announcement has been made.

Bottom line: For fans hungry for more Queenstown mystery, the expanded episode count should be worth the wait. But if you’re hoping to watch outside the UK, keep an eye on streaming deals—no US carrier has been announced yet.

Who killed Maja in A Remarkable Place to Die?

Editor’s note

The following contains mild spoilers for the season 1 central mystery.

Plot summary of the central mystery

The season revolves around the death of Maja, a young woman whose murder pulls Detective Anaís Mallory back to her hometown. The investigation becomes deeply personal as Mallory uncovers links between the case and her own family history—specifically the unresolved deaths of her father and sister (StarNow (casting platform)).

Spoiler warning

The killer is revealed in the season finale. Without giving it away, the show uses the “everyone has something to hide” trope, and the identity ties back to a long-buried town secret. If you prefer to go in unspoiled, skip this section—but the resolution has drawn both praise and criticism for its emotional weight versus logical consistency.

“The beauty of Queenstown is the perfect cover for the secrets people keep. The place itself becomes a mirror for the lies the characters tell each other—and themselves.”

— Philly de Lacey, series creator, in a casting interview (StarNow (casting platform))

“We’re thrilled to continue bringing the remarkable landscapes of Queenstown to audiences around the world, and the expanded second season allows us to delve even deeper into the characters and the place they call home.”

— Screentime New Zealand, official press release (Banijay (production group))

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Season 1 has 6 episodes, each ~60 minutes.
  • Season 2 has been greenlit as an expanded season.
  • Filming takes place in Queenstown at Remarkable Studios.
  • IMDb rating is 7.4/10.
  • Created by Philly de Lacey.

What’s unclear

  • Exact release date for season 2.
  • International distribution beyond UK, NZ, and Australia.
  • Total episode count for expanded season 2.
  • Rotten Tomatoes audience score.

Timeline

  • – Season 1 premiered on Channel 4 and TVNZ 1 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
  • – Season 2 greenlit as an expanded order (World Screen (industry publication)).
  • – Filming for season 2 commenced at Remarkable Studios (Banijay (production group)).
  • – Season 2 expected to air (speculative).

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Frequently asked questions

What is the premise of A Remarkable Place to Die?

Homicide detective Anaís Mallory returns to her hometown of Queenstown to investigate a series of murders that are connected to her family’s past (Apple TV (streaming platform)).

Who plays the lead detective in A Remarkable Place to Die?

Anaïs Mallory plays the lead detective. The character shares the actor’s name, adding an intriguing layer of identification.

Is A Remarkable Place to Die based on a true story?

No, it is a work of fiction created by Philly de Lacey.

When will season 2 air?

No official release date has been set. Production is underway, with a likely window in 2025 or 2026.

How many episodes will season 2 have?

It is an expanded season, likely more than 6 episodes, but the exact count has not been announced (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Can I watch A Remarkable Place to Die in the US?

As of now, no US streaming or broadcast deal has been confirmed. It currently airs on Channel 4 in the UK and TVNZ 1 in New Zealand.

Is there a trailer for season 2?

No trailer has been released yet. Production started in 2025, so a teaser may arrive closer to the premiere.

Related reading

A Remarkable Place to Die has the rare advantage of a setting that genuinely lives up to its name. For the casual viewer, the Queenstown backdrop alone justifies a look. For the crime-drama devotee, the expanded season 2 offers a chance to see whether the series can tighten its plotting without losing the atmosphere that made it stand out. The show’s future hinges on whether showrunner Philly de Lacey can deliver a second season that matches its scenery with storytelling rigor.