Rhys Darby has called on some famous friends to help bring his new television show to life.



The actor's Flight of the Conchords co-star Jemaine Clement took a seat in the director's chair during the filming of Short Poppies in Auckland's Western Park yesterday.



While Clement was behind the camera, Darby donned a wig and pink tracksuit top to play an older woman fighting with a lycra-clad cyclist. Former TV3 journalist David Farrier is also part of the show's cast.



Short Poppies has been shrouded in secrecy since and received more than $700,000 in NZ On Air funding in August last year. Filming began in November.



However, in an American radio interview three months ago, Darby - who wrote the series - described it as a series of fictional, long-form filmed interviews where he plays the main characters. At the end of the season, the characters come together to watch the final result



"This is a chance for me to show my character skills and it's the first time I get to write the whole thing myself as opposed to being a part of someone else's show," he said.



The eight half hour episodes will screen on TV One later this year.

LAWRENCE SMITH / Fairfax NZ RIGHT DIRECTON: Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement in the director's chair.