Mystic

Michael directed episodes 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12 and 1.13.
He also has a cameo, playing Richard, in episode 1.10.

Created by Amy Schindler and Beth Chalmers, based on the Pony Club Secrets books by Stacy Gregg.
Produced by CBBC, Libertine Pictures, Seven Network, Slim Film + Television, and TVNZ.
Filmed in New Zealand.

It aired in the UK on CBBC, in New Zealand on TVNZ, in Canada on Super Channel Heart & Home, and in Australia on 7+.

Mystic is a British-New Zealand environmental teen drama series set on the fictional peninsula of Kauri Point, New Zealand.  It follows new-to-town teenager Issie Brown who struggles to fit in after moving from London to the quiet, backwater town with her mother Amanda where she uncovers a series of secrets surrounding a mysterious injured horse and a threat to the local environment. It stars Macey Chipping (Issie Brown), Laura Patch (Amanda), Cathy Downes (Mitch), Kirk Torrance (Tom), Antonia Robinson (Natasha), Max Crean (Dan Townley), Joshua Tan (Caleb Burford), Jacqueline Joe (Caroline), Harriet Walton (Stella), and Phil Brown (Sam). ___________________ Michael was originally scheduled to direct his episodes from late February until mid-June 2020, but filming was interrupted on 23 March 2020 by the Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand.  He was finally able to film the episodes in September - November 2020. The first eight episodes premiered on CBBC on 14 July 2020, and the rest of the season premiered 23 March 2021.

Season 1 overview:

Episode 1.9, 'The Secret'
Written by Amy Schindler; premiered on CBBC on 23 March 2021.

When Issie and the gang ramp up their anti-Hexronn campaign, the company fight back, revealing details of Issie's troubled past. 

Phil Brown as Sam

Episode 1.10, 'The Discovery'
Written by Amy Schindler; premiered on CBBC on 23 March 2021.

The kids travel to a remote farm after intercepting a mysterious message.
They come face to face with the horse rustler and discover the whereabouts of the Kauri Point Herd.


Joshua Tan as Caleb Burford, Jacqueline Joe as Caroline, Macey Chipping as Issie Brown, Max Crean as Dan Townley, Antonia Robinson as Natasha

Michael had a cameo playing blacksmith Richard in this episode.

Episode 1.11, 'The Claim'
Written by Beth Chalmers and Amy Schindler; premiered on CBBC on 23 March 2021.

Dan is forced to step up when there's an emergency at the stables, Natasha joins the
Dulmoth Park team and Issie is distraught when Blaze's legal owner comes to claim her.

Jacqueline Joe as Caroline

Episode 1.12, 'The Truth'
Written by Amy Schindler; premiered on CBBC on 23 March 2021.

Issie and the gang target Frankie in an attempt to find out where Blaze is. Secrets about Hexronn and the wild herd are revealed.


Macey Chipping as Issie Brown, Harriet Walton as Stella

Episode 1.13, 'The Return'
Written by Amy Schindler; premiered on CBBC on 23 March 2021.

Issie and the gang race against time to find the wild herd and save the forest.


Maaka Pohatu as Tipene, Max Crean as Dan Townley, Kelson Henderson as Jake, Carrie Green as Miriama

Episode 1.13 trailer