Kiwi actor David de Lautour to portray Stephen Donald in upcoming TV ONE drama
New Zealand born actor David de Lautour has been cast to play iconic All Black Stephen Donald in the upcoming TV ONE
drama The Kick, portraying his role in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
With credits including Hart of Dixie, Mom, Once Upon A Time, NCIS: Los Angeles and Beauty And The Beast, David returns from his base in Los Angeles to take up the role, which he says is a golden opportunity.
“Stephen Donald’s kick is an iconic moment in All Blacks history, and as a huge rugby fan, it’s an honour to be playing
an All Black such as Stephen.”
David was a natural choice for the role of Stephen says The Kick executive producer Philip Smith of Great Southern Television (Agent Anna, Eating Media Lunch, The Cult).
“David brings serious international acting chops to a role that’s complex and emotional. We are lucky to have an actor
with this range to bring Stephen’s story to life, and are also pleased to have Stephen Donald himself on board as a
consultant on the project.”
David joins a cast of local talent portraying the All Blacks Rugby World Cup 2011 team. Tim Foley (Nothing Trivial, Blue Rose) will star as Richie McCaw, Tim Gordon (District 9, Home By Christmas) as All Blacks coach Graham Henry, Josh McKenzie (Shortland Street, Go Girls) as Dan Carter, and Xavier Horan (Shortland Street) as Sonny Bill Williams.
TVNZ’s General Manager of Commissioning and Productions, Andrew Shaw, is excited to see the story of the 2011 All Blacks
come to life.
“The team at Great Southern Television has created some remarkable Kiwi television for New Zealand viewers, and we’re
looking forward to another stellar production, this time capturing the moment that brought the nation together.”
The Kick looks at events through the eyes of Stephen Donald, who missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup squad and went
white baiting with his best mate instead, only to get a call at the eleventh hour.
In a nail-biting Rugby World Cup final, Stephen is called on to the field and the country collectively held its breath.
What resulted was a kick that won New Zealand the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 24 years, and a legend was born.
Production for The Kick commences this Sunday 9th March. The on-air date will be released at a later time.
CAST LIST:
Stephen Donald – David de Lautour
Richie McCaw – Tim Foley
Graham Henry – Tim Gordon
Dan Carter – Josh McKenzie
Sonny Bill Williams – Xavier Horan
Steve Hansen – Geoff Dolan
Piri Weepu – Troy Kingi
Richard Kahui – Clinton Randell
Mils Muliaina – Joe Naufahu
Ma’a Nonu – Matt Renata
Wayne Smith – Eryn Wilson
Ian Foster – Ross Anderson
Jimmy Cowan – Luke Thompson
Andrew Hore – Jonathan Hodge
Ali Williams – Aaron Cortesi
Jerome Kaino – TK Tuhaka
Kieran Read – Aaron Jackson
Colin Slade – Kirk Bremner
Aaron Cruden – Jordan Selwyn
Conrad Smith – Harry Summerfield
Andy Ellis – Dean Curtis
Brad Thorn – Brad Johnson
ENDS