EXCLUSIVE: Rose Matafeo, the creator, writer, director and star of Max and BBC Three’s romantic comedy series Starstruck, is set to unveil her new comedy special, the Max Original Rose Matafeo: On and On and On, on Thursday, December 19.
An hour built around a 16,000-word note kept over time on the New Zealander’s phone, the special is the second for Matafeo on the heels of 2020’s Horndog, which was also for Max. In it, she offers her candid takes on relationships — from dating in her 20s vs. 30s, to supporting friends through breakups, and the stark differences between herself and her parents at the same age. The comedian also explores whether she wants children, how aging has impacted her comedy, and her strong feelings about online relationship coaching.
Filmed at London’s Britten Theatre, the special was directed by Barbara Wiltshire. In addition to writing and performing it, Matafeo exec produced alongside Richard Allen-Turner, Cath Gagon, Alice Snedden, and Jon Thoday. The special recently received a nomination for Best Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Stated Matafeo, “I had laryngitis at the time of taping and was on a heavy dose of steroids. I accept no responsibility for this performance, except if it’s praise and then I’ll take that.”
Added Nina Rosenstein, EVP, HBO Programming, Late Night & Specials, “Reuniting with Rose after her tremendous performance in ‘Horndog’ and her brilliant work on ‘Starstruck’ is a welcomed homecoming for all of us. Rose is the ultimate barometer on the countless topics facing Millennial women today, and her comedic wit offers just the right amount of guidance and self-deprecation to leave a lasting impression.”
Prior to debuting on Max, Matafeo’s Horndog won her the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In her comedy Starstruck, which ran for three seasons, she played London millenial Jessie, who while juggling two dead-end jobs and navigating the awkward morning-after-the-night-before, discovers the complications of accidentally sleeping with a film star. Her work on the show earned her a BAFTA TV Award for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme, among other accolades.
Also known for her work as a writer and performer on New Zealand’s late-night sketch series Funny Girls, Matafeo will next be heard voicing the character of Loto in Disney’s Moana 2. She is repped by Avalon Management.
