A gay American cable TV network has been filming a spy thriller in and around Auckland, it has been revealed. Shannon Doherty (Beverly Hills 90210) and Robert Gant (Ben in 'Queer As Folk' US version) are in the cast of the original, feature-length made-for-TV film, featuring an openly-gay action hero. The ‘here!’ network filmed ‘Kiss Me Deadly: A Jacob Keane Assignment’ in May. “We are excited to bring the spy thriller genre to the LGBT community with the Kiss Me Deadly,” said Stephen P. Jarchow, Founder and Chairman of the network. “With the talented and openly gay Robert Gant and the dynamic Shannen Doherty, Kiss Me Deadly is an exciting addition to our original programming slate. We welcome this opportunity to flex our company mandate of embracing talented actors and creating memorable gay characters for our audience.” Gant plays a photographer living the family life in Milan with his loving boyfriend and the daughter he shares with his lesbian friend. When a young woman, played by Doherty, arrives from his past life, he is pulled back into the high-stakes world of international espionage. Together they must elude a mysterious enemy threatening to disrupt their now-quiet lives. John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings trilogy) is in another heroic role, while Out actor Ian Roberts (Superman Returns) co-stars as the villainous Vigo. The program will air on the here! network starting 7th December, 2007, and will be made available online via video partner for an international audience. Two photos from the production are available to view on the link below. Ref: here! (m)