Axl Johnson – aka norse god Odin – is wearing the perfect tee-shirt for some early morning filming for the television series the Almighty Johnsons being shot at Mount Maunganui Main Beach today.

With ‘Tauranga' emblazoned across his chest Axl played by actor Emmitt Skitton was on set at the beach at 9am today to film scenes for the third series of the hit New Zealand show.

Actor Emmitt Skitton gets some hair and makeup treatment by Jacqui Leung at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.

South Pacific Pictures head of publicity Tamar Munch says today Axl is on a roadtrip from his home in Auckland when he receives a call from his brother requesting he return to the city.

Axl gets angry, throws the phone away, and searches unsuccessfully for it before accepting a ride from a stranger – guest actor Matt Saville.

'Axl's on a bit of a road trip,” says Tamar.

'He's left Auckland, left the family, and he's just had a phone call where they have called him back.”

Episodes six and seven of the third season include a scene shot along Totara Street near the Port of Tauranga, before the 20-strong crew move on to Rotorua tomorrow and Taupo.

The Almighty Johnsons follows the fortunes of Axl, who on his 21st birthday discovers his family members are reincarnated Norse gods.

Axl, as the Norse god Odin, is tasked with returning the brothers' full godly powers to ensure the family's survival. To do this he must find the reincarnation of Odin's wife Frigg.

The comedy/drama is complicated with a trio of Norse goddesses, an antagonistic reincarnation of Loki and a Maori deity pantheon that appeared towards the end of the second series.

The Almighty Johnsons has won awards in New Zealand, and is also screened in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. DVD sales are also steady, says Tamar. The show's overseas audience is resulting in some tourism interest.

'Canadians in particular are quite keen to come to New Zealand. They might think there are Norse gods here.”

The show also stars Kiwi actors Dean O'Gorman, Tim Balme and Shane Cortese.

Season three with 13 episodes, is expected to air on TV3 later this year. Series two aired in July last year.