Shotguns, pools of blood, dark twists; you’re not in Shortland Street anymore, Waverley.

TVNZ’s new dark comedy Fresh Eggs premieres next week, showing a different side to actress Claire Chitham.

It focuses on a couple, Penny and Wade, who leave the Auckland rat race and start again the country, with unexpected results, including racism and murder.

Chitham says that the story is about what happens when two Aucklanders who find themselves in an entirely foreign environment. 

She told Jack Tame that the show is definitely quirky and offbeat, with the creator calling it "his dark twisted love-letter to New Zealand". 

She says there was a lot of buzz around the script when it first came out, and she knew she had to be involved. 

"It was very clear on the page that this was something quite unique." 

It was still a risk for TVNZ and NZ on Air to get behind the project, and Chitham says they are still pinching themselves that it has come to fruition. 

"There were times we were shooting we were asking each other 'do you think they've actually read the scripts?'"

Chitham says that the comedy features a whole range of laughs, from awkward pauses to dark humour, but it is an affectionate take on New Zealanders rather than being too cruel.  

The former Shorty St actress feels that Kiwis have become more open to the idea of laughing at themselves.