The eight new half-hour episodes of The Pretender are expected to air on TV One starting in the next four to five weeks, just as the general election campaign is in full swing.
Arrowtown-born and raised comic Bob MacLaren is back as Plant, an arrogant right-wing Wakatipu developer worth $70 million, who successfully campaigned against "Janis Goodyear" in the closely fought seat of "Wakatipu South" during the first series.
The first series of five parts, which can be seen on YouTube, took the form of a "mockumentary" and was filmed on location in the Queenstown area.
Adding to the misconception The Pretender was real were several familiar faces who were in on the joke, including Prime Minister Helen Clark, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes and TV3 correspondent Leanne Malcolm.
Executive producer Philip Smith said the second series was a more sophisticated production than the first and followed Plant as he entered the corridors of power.
The rich-lister has shelved his dream of building a gondola between Glenorchy and Milford Sound while he goes to work on Wellington, Mr Smith said.
"Plant's a self-made man and his attitude is he can do a better job in Parliament than a bunch of limp-wristed former teachers and lawyers.
He reckons he can turn it around in six months, but Dennis is very quickly expelled from his party and sets up his own, called Future New Zealand.
"He picks up another MP so he has two votes in the House and within the first episode he holds the balance of power.
"He becomes the kingmaker and the two major parties offer him inducements to get him on side, including him becoming MP for Queenstown and MP for Men's Affairs."
Mr Smith said his Queenstown-based production company, Great Southern Film and Television, was working on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, a series of Eating Media Lunch election specials, a major documentary series with TV3 and a satirical tele-feature to be shot in Central Otago early next year.
