“Make stuff that is fun, make stuff that can impact someone in a good way, make stuff that is ridiculous, be curious in others and everyday things outside of what you know.”
– Julia Boddy // Actor
Julia and James Boddy are New Zealand’s hidden filmmaking gems who have recently returned to our shores from Ireland.
Former Hamilton police officer, Julia Boddy is now an emerging actor with formal training at Bow Street Academy (home to the acting coach whose clients include the likes of Orlando Bloom, Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp).
James Boddy hailed from Palmerston North, and graduated from the New Zealand Broadcasting School. His twenty five year long career was launched after writing a screenplay that won a national competition, and went on to work on the likes of our infamous L&P adverts, First Responders, and Location, Location, Location NZ.
“Dad owned a comic shop which is a pretty sweet way of immersing yourself into the narrative world,” James said. “Though my teenage brain wasn’t comprehending it at the time, a diet of comic books is one of the best teachers when it comes to writing for the screen.”
He is re-emerging into the film and television industry again after taking a step back to raise his daughter, Catherine Boddy who won New Zealand’s Young Designer of the Year in 2016. She has since settled in London as a fashion designer, so James has dived back into the film and television industry.
James and Julia have teamed up and operate under the name of Boddybag. Their freelancing outfit covers every basis of filmmaking, from writing to directing to acting.
The duo have been writing and developing new projects over the last two years. One of them is with Emmy winning and 2025 BAFTA nominated producer Liz DiFiore.
“We’ve been in this business for ages,” James said. “We know which way to point a lens, what lights not to stand under, what fade-in means, and where that clicking noise in the mag is from.”
They are currently filming a television series throughout New Zealand, but are available to work anywhere in the world.
“We have already been asked to return to Ireland in the New Year to work on a film in February and March. We are open to anything!” Julia said.
With a wealth of experience behind them, Boddybag are making fresh opportunities for themselves as creatives in their forties.
This new chapter in their lives has come with an upbeat and collaborative approach to filmmaking. Ensuring cast and crew are having a good time is essential to Boddybag’s signature environment on set.
“People always work at their best when they are able to have a laugh, have a voice and are actually valued as humans,” Julia said. “It’s so nice to have feedback that our projects are always a good time… People keep coming back, and want to collaborate together on their projects.”
Boddybag currently has availability in January 2026 for another project before they return to Ireland, so if you’re looking for a director, writer, actor or a hand on set, get in touch to see how the team can help via their website: boddybag.com
Otherwise, chuck them a follow on Insta to keep in the loop with their amazing work in New Zealand and beyond.
Are you an artist or a creative who wants their project seen? Get in touch with Jodie at Beach Marketing for a promotional article.
However, let’s not forget the remarkable on-screen work he’s done. I may be neglecting to mention the most well-known performances he’s done, but my personal favourites include his portrayal of Nikola Tesla in 
Alan Rickman will forever be known to my generation as the fantastical almost-villain everybody loves to love, Professor Snape in the 
PS. I can only hope that David Bowie will forever be remembered as a majestic guy who rode a tiger made of lightning.
Thank you 
They actually act like adults, studying law and maths! Every movie, I was watching psychologists, mathematicians, lawyers…
Okay, you’re probably thinking: “Jodie, there were huge parties, you just didn’t want to socialise.” Or, “Jodie, we had awesome parties but you weren’t invited.”
Thanks 
NZ Film Freak 