Pride of the Asia-Pacific

Sam Neill is the inaugural subject of Peschardt’s People, a 13-part BBC series hosted by veteran foreign correspondent Michael Peschardt. The series aims to introduce global viewers to “some of the most famous people in the Asia-Pacific region,” such as Neill, burns specialist and Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood, Singaporean violin virtuoso Vanessa Mae, and groundbreaking Indian author Shobhaa De. Peschardt spent three days on Neill’s private estate and vineyard in Central Otago discussing everything from multiculturalism in NZ to his relationship with Steven Spielberg. “Sam was utterly charming,” says Peschardt in the Age. “And he wasn’t acting.”