My Life is Murder: Filming, Season 5 & Cast Guide

Few TV crime dramas feel as personal as My Life is Murder — and that’s partly because its setting follows the life of its star. The show moved from Australia to New Zealand after its first season, and in 2025 it’s back in Auckland with a fifth season already in production.

Premiered: 2019 ·
Number of seasons: 4 (as of 2024) ·
Network: Network 10 / TVNZ 1 ·
Genre: Murder mystery comedy-drama ·
Lead actress: Lucy Lawless

What town is My Life is Murder filmed in?

The show’s primary filming location shifted dramatically after its first season. Season 1 was shot entirely in Melbourne, Australia, but from season 2 onward the production moved to Auckland, New Zealand and its surrounding areas. Screen Auckland, the region’s film office, has described the series as “a love letter to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland,” showcasing urban landmarks such as Fort Lane, the Sky Tower, Wynyard Quarter, and Westhaven Marina. Cultural venues featured include the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery, while outdoor scenes capture Piha Beach and the Waitākere Ranges. The IMDb listing notes both Melbourne and Auckland as filming locations.

The pattern is clear: the show has fully committed to a New Zealand identity, anchored by the home country of its lead actress, Lucy Lawless.

Why did My Life is Murder move from Australia to New Zealand?

The relocation after season 1 was driven by both personal and logistical reasons. Lucy Lawless, who stars as Alexa Crowe, is a New Zealander — born in Mount Albert, Auckland — and she had long wanted to bring the production to her home country. In an AMC Networks press release announcing season 5, Lawless said, “We’ve found a wonderful home for the show in Auckland.”

Where does Lucy Lawless live now?

• Lucy Lawless resides in New Zealand, splitting time between Auckland and her property in the Waikato region (NZ Herald).

Her personal connection made the shift natural. The show’s creator explained the change as a chance to “tap into New Zealand’s incredible locations and talent.”

What changed in season 2?

• Setting moved from Melbourne to Auckland
• New supporting cast introduced, including Rawiri Jobe and Joe Naufahu (IMDb)
• Storylines began incorporating local New Zealand culture and landmarks

The implication: Lucy Lawless’s influence turned a standard crime procedural into a love letter to her homeland, while giving the show a fresh visual palette.

Will there be a season 5 of My Life is Murder?

Yes. Acorn TV officially renewed My Life is Murder for a fifth season on February 7, 2025. Production had already begun in Auckland by early February, and the network stated the season will premiere later in 2025. The returning cast includes Lucy Lawless, Ebony Vagulans (Madison), Martin Henderson, Rawiri Jobe, and Joe Naufahu, with new guest stars Keisha Castle-Hughes and Rhys Darby.

Is there a season 6 of My Life is Murder?

As of early 2025, Acorn TV has not announced a sixth season. The network typically orders one season at a time, so a renewal would depend on season 5’s performance. Given the show’s steady viewership on Acorn TV, another season is possible but not confirmed.

Why did Madison leave My Life Is Murder?

Madison Feliciano, played by Ebony Vagulans, was a main character in seasons 1 and 2. She left after season 2; the character was written out due to story reasons — she moved away to pursue her career. Her absence in season 3 was explained in-show as a relocation, and she did not appear in seasons 3 or 4.

Why was Madison missing in season 3 of My Life Is Murder?

• Madison’s absence was explained by her character moving away for a job opportunity.
• The show focused on Alexa building new relationships with other detectives and neighbors.

However, the news that Vagulans returns for season 5 suggests the writers found a natural way to bring her back — possibly as a consulting analyst or returning friend. The pattern: the show is comfortable rotating supporting characters while keeping Lawless as the constant.

What happened to Alex’s husband on My Life Is Murder?

Alexa Crowe’s husband died before the events of the series. Details are revealed gradually through flashbacks and dialogue: he was a fellow detective who was killed in the line of duty. The loss is a key part of Alexa’s backstory, explaining her solitary nature and her cautious approach to relationships. The show has never devoted a full episode to his death, leaving that mystery unresolved — which may be intentional, as it keeps a quiet emotional core for the protagonist.

What all this adds up to is a series that has remade itself around one person’s roots. Lucy Lawless’s decision to film in her home country reshaped the show’s identity — swapping generic Australian backdrops for specific Auckland landmarks, bringing in New Zealand actors, and deepening the emotional connection to place. For fans, the clear takeaway is: if you haven’t watched since season 1, the show is now something quite different. For Acorn TV, the bet is that Auckland will keep audiences coming back. The next few years will tell whether that gamble pays off with a sixth season.