Go Girls
Go Girls is a New Zealand comedy-drama television series created by Rachel Lang and Gavin Strawhan, which aired on TV One from 19 February 2009 to 16 July 2013, spanning five seasons and 65 episodes.[1][2] The show follows a close-knit group of four friends—three women named Amy Smart, Britta McMann, and Cody Latimer, along with their male friend Kevin—living on Auckland's North Shore, as they pursue ambitious personal goals such as achieving wealth, fame, and marriage while dealing with the realities of young adulthood.[3][4] The series begins with the protagonists, all in their mid-20s, vowing to transform their lives within one year amid quarter-life crises, leading to a mix of humorous mishaps, romantic pursuits, and evolving friendships across the seasons.[1] Key cast members include Anna Hutchison as the aspiring wealthy Amy, Alix Bushnell as the fame-seeking Britta, Bronwyn Turei as the marriage-minded Cody, and Jay Ryan as the supportive Kevin, with additional recurring roles by actors like Matt Whelan, Irene Wood, and Ingrid Park portraying family and love interests.[5] Produced by South Pacific Pictures, Go Girls incorporates a soundtrack featuring local New Zealand music and explores themes of ambition, relationships, and self-discovery through episodic storytelling structured around months of the year.[3][1] Critically and popularly received in New Zealand, the series achieved high viewership ratings, becoming the country's most popular local weekly drama during its third season in 2011, and won the Best Drama Series award at the 2012 New Zealand Television Awards (previously known as the New Zealand Film and TV Awards).[6][7] Later seasons introduced new characters and storylines to refresh the narrative, maintaining its focus on relatable, feel-good escapism for a domestic audience while occasionally touching on broader social issues.[3] The show's blend of wit, romance, and character-driven plots contributed to its status as a beloved staple of New Zealand television, available for streaming on platforms like TVNZ+ and international services.[8]Premise and format
Synopsis
Go Girls is a New Zealand comedy-drama series that follows four close friends in their twenties—Amy, Britta, Cody, and Kevin—living on Auckland's North Shore, as they navigate personal ambitions, relationships, and everyday challenges in an urban setting. Each season revolves around the group making a one-year pact to pursue specific life goals, exploring themes of friendship, personal growth, romance, and the transitions of young adulthood. The narrative emphasizes their interconnected lives, where individual pursuits often intersect with group dynamics and romantic entanglements, highlighting both successes and setbacks in achieving their resolutions.[9] In the first season, the friends, facing a quarter-life crisis at age 25, vow to transform their lives within a year: Amy aims to get rich through business ventures, Britta seeks fame in the entertainment world, Cody strives to get married and start a family, and Kevin resolves to maintain the status quo amid the chaos. Their journeys involve humorous mishaps and heartfelt moments, such as Amy's entrepreneurial schemes leading to unexpected romantic interests, Britta's audacious bids for attention sparking rivalries, and Cody grappling with family pressures surrounding her engagement, all while Kevin's passive stance tests the group's bonds. By season's end, some promises are fulfilled in surprising ways, while others evolve, underscoring the unpredictability of personal aspirations.[9][10] Season 2 shifts the resolutions as the group rebounds from prior outcomes: Amy commits to helping one person per month, Britta searches for true love, Cody works to strengthen her new marriage to Eli amid emerging doubts, and Kevin pushes for career advancement. Romantic complications intensify, with Britta's dating escapades creating tension and Cody confronting potential family secrets, including issues tied to her husband's public image. The season delves deeper into group support systems, as failures and partial successes in their goals foster greater emotional intimacy and resilience among the friends.[11][12] As the characters approach their late twenties in season 3, new goals reflect maturing priorities, with Kevin deciding he wants to become a father, prompting explorations of commitment and family planning. Amy and Britta pursue professional stability and creative outlets, while Cody balances marital life with personal independence, leading to arcs involving workplace romances and reconciliations. The narrative arcs highlight evolving relationships, including cross-friendship attractions and support during life-altering decisions, reinforcing themes of growth through shared vulnerabilities.[13] Season 4 continues the focus on life transitions into their thirties, with the friends tackling specific goals: Amy seeks a committed partner, Britta aims to write a screenplay, Cody wants to have a baby, and with Kevin's departure midway, Brad strives to be a better man. Romantic entanglements persist, such as ongoing pursuits for Amy and relational strains for Cody involving family dynamics, while Brad's aspirations for stability influence group interactions. Resolutions often blend triumph with compromise, illustrating how friendships endure through changing circumstances.[14] For season 5, the series reboots with a new ensemble of five friends—Ted, Alice, Candy, Bennie, and Levi—adopting a similar pact structure but centered on contemporary goals like career pivots, romantic commitments, and personal reinvention. This shift introduces fresh dynamics, with Ted's protective instincts clashing against Candy's ambitious schemes, Alice navigating wedding pressures, and Levi confronting past demons, all while maintaining the core emphasis on camaraderie and aspirational humor in Auckland's vibrant backdrop.[15][16]Series structure
Go Girls consists of five seasons, each containing 13 episodes that run approximately 22-24 minutes in length. The episodes are structured around parallel storylines that follow each main character's personal promise or goal, while intersecting group events foster interactions among the ensemble, allowing for simultaneous development of individual arcs and collective dynamics.[2][3] The series utilizes voice-over narration delivered by the male lead characters to provide humorous insights into their thoughts and perspectives, adding a layer of ironic commentary to the proceedings. Jay Ryan voiced the narration for seasons 1 through 4 in the role of Kevin, with Matt Whelan contributing in season 4 as Brad Caulfield, and George Mason handling the narration for season 5 as Ted Keegan.[17][18] Blending comedy and drama, the show's tone features witty dialogue, situational humor, and emotional depth, punctuated by cliffhangers that build suspense across episodes and montage sequences that visually track the characters' progress toward fulfilling their promises.[19][3] Season progression across the five years from 2009 to 2013 includes cast evolutions, particularly in season 5, where a partial refresh introduced new ensemble members to sustain the core themes of friendship and ambition while refreshing the narrative focus.[3][2]Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of Go Girls centers on a close-knit group of friends in the early seasons, with a cast refresh in the fifth and final season introducing new leads while maintaining the show's focus on romantic and personal quests. Anna Hutchison as Amy SmartAnna Hutchison portrayed Amy Smart, an optimistic romantic driven by a quest for love and financial success, appearing as a main cast member in seasons 1–4 (2009–2012). Amy's arc involves navigating multiple relationships and hustling for fortune, evolving from a wide-eyed dreamer to someone confronting the realities of commitment and independence.[20][21][22] Alix Bushnell as Britta McMann
Alix Bushnell played Britta McMann, a sarcastic fitness enthusiast and aspiring celebrity with a whacky, independent streak, serving as a core main cast member across seasons 1–4 (2009–2012). Britta's motivations revolve around fame and self-improvement through exercise and bold pursuits, with her arc highlighting humorous clashes between her ambitions and chaotic romantic entanglements.[20][17][23] Bronwyn Turei as Cody Latimer
Bronwyn Turei depicted Cody Latimer, a laid-back smoker with strong family ties and a straightforward demeanor, as a main cast member in all four initial seasons (2009–2012). Cody's character is motivated by a desire for stability and partnership, her arc tracing a journey from casual rebellion to embracing deeper familial and romantic responsibilities.[20][17][23] Jay Ryan as Kevin
Jay Ryan starred as Kevin, an ambitious office worker whose career focus masks personal insecurities, appearing as a main cast member in seasons 1–4 (2009–2012). Kevin's arc evolves from a promise of professional success to significant personal growth, including lessons in vulnerability and lasting relationships within the friend group.[20][19][23] Esther Stephens as Olivia Duff
Esther Stephens joined as Olivia Duff, an ambitious career woman and fashionista running a magazine, becoming a main cast member from seasons 2–4 (2010–2012). Olivia's traits include sharp wit and emotional depth, with her motivations centered on professional triumphs and reconciling work with personal life, including marriage and health challenges.[20][24][25] George Mason as Ted Keegan
In season 5 (2013), George Mason led as Ted Keegan, a charming newcomer and landscaper serving as the season's narrator, with an arc focused on rekindling past loves and finding purpose amid family dynamics. Ted's laid-back yet introspective nature drives his pursuit of meaningful connections in the rebooted ensemble.[20][26][23]