No fortune made here, say actors

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The actors who brought the original West family to vivid life are not making an outrageous fortune from the show's international run.

The American remake of Outrageous Fortune, which has been renamed Scoundrels, premiered in the United States on Sunday.

The US deal is a coup for Kiwi producer South Pacific Pictures.

However, the original Cheryl West, Ashburton native Robyn Malcolm, has spoken out about the fact the cast will not see a cent of the US windfall.

"We are not protected when these kinds of business deals are made," she said.

"It does mean that even though we have all moved onto other projects, this kind of international business deal, which is new to New Zealand, means that we are connected to that show for a lot longer, and other countries look after their actors.

"I don't feel enraged by it, but I feel there are some issues, now New Zealand is getting more and more on the map internationally, that need to be looked at.

"I know that residuals and ancillary rights to shows that have a long life are something that actors should be receiving in one way or another, and of course writers and creators of shows."

South Pacific Pictures chief executive John Barnett said the cast had no claim to the proceeds of the groundbreaking US sale.

"The US deal is they bought the format.

"There are no New Zealand actors in it, so why would they get any of that?" he said.

"Actors don't get a share of format rights."

- © Fairfax NZ News