Before appearing on the show, what sort of acting roles did you have?
Before appearing on Neighbours I had filmed two feature films called Felony and Wolf Creek 2. I had also shot TV shows like the Jack Irish series, Peter Helliar's It's A Date, Chris Lilley's Angry Boys, the INXS telemovie and a reality TV show called Bollywood Star. I had also done theatre. I worked on a great play by Alan Ball called "All That I Will Ever Be".
What inspired you to pursue acting?
My Mum put me into acting school at The National Theatre in St. Kilda when I was in Year 9 at school. I've danced ever since I was four years old so had always loved performing. Really when I think about it though, I loved watching Natalie Imbruglia on Neighbours when I was a teenager and wanted to forge a career like hers!
You first appeared on the show in 2010 as Clare Henderson and then again in 2011 as Jess Walker. What was it like being on the show for these brief times?
When I played Clare Henderson and Jess Walker on Neighbours, I knew they were small roles. Jess Walker ended up being a tiny character - in the final edit my lines had been cut! Clare Henderson was my first real taste of being on set at Neighbours I guess. She was a lot of fun because she was a "roadie"...one of the boys. I got to flirt with Scott Major as part of my job also which is always a bonus!
Before appearing on Neighbours I had filmed two feature films called Felony and Wolf Creek 2. I had also shot TV shows like the Jack Irish series, Peter Helliar's It's A Date, Chris Lilley's Angry Boys, the INXS telemovie and a reality TV show called Bollywood Star. I had also done theatre. I worked on a great play by Alan Ball called "All That I Will Ever Be".
What inspired you to pursue acting?
My Mum put me into acting school at The National Theatre in St. Kilda when I was in Year 9 at school. I've danced ever since I was four years old so had always loved performing. Really when I think about it though, I loved watching Natalie Imbruglia on Neighbours when I was a teenager and wanted to forge a career like hers!
You first appeared on the show in 2010 as Clare Henderson and then again in 2011 as Jess Walker. What was it like being on the show for these brief times?
When I played Clare Henderson and Jess Walker on Neighbours, I knew they were small roles. Jess Walker ended up being a tiny character - in the final edit my lines had been cut! Clare Henderson was my first real taste of being on set at Neighbours I guess. She was a lot of fun because she was a "roadie"...one of the boys. I got to flirt with Scott Major as part of my job also which is always a bonus!
You then appeared in the ‘Brennan on the Run’ webisodes that explored Mark Brennan’s time in witness protection and his relationship with Sienna Matthews. What was is like to kind of be back on the show?
Scott and I had a lot of fun shooting the "Brennan On The Run" webisodes. They were hard work but very rewarding. I think they turned out really well and Ric Forster did such a great job putting the whole thing together. I remember watching the teaser before the webisodes came out and thinking that it almost looked like a trailer for a film! I was very happy to be back working on Neighbours with such a great team.
You then went on to appear in the actual show. How was it working with Scott McGregor and Ashleigh Brewer?
Both Scott McGregor and Ashleigh Brewer were great to work with. In fact, the whole Neighbours cast were. I know it sounds cliche`, but they really are like one big happy family! I always felt like Scotty had my back, actually I'd like to catch up with him for some dukka eggs soon to see how everything's going. I am so happy for Ash that she's scored a gig (The Bold and the Beautiful) in America, exciting times for her ahead!
Are there any differences between filming the webisodes and filming an actual episode?
The main difference I found between shooting webisodes and filming an actual Neighbours episode is that the webisodes are filmed a lot faster. We shot them over a series of weekends. Usually shooting from 5-6am right through to sometimes 7pm but with episodes you get more time. As far as acting goes this means you get less time to prepare but this also gives you more opportunity to improvise which is always fun!
Are there any similarities between you and Sienna?
When I play different characters I always try to look for similarities between myself and the characters or parts of me that I could exaggerate that would suit the character. For Sienna, I think she has a fierce determination to get what she wants and she won't ever let anything stand in her way. I do find this quality in myself. I like to follow Will Smith's advice, "If you want something...go get it. Period."
Scott and I had a lot of fun shooting the "Brennan On The Run" webisodes. They were hard work but very rewarding. I think they turned out really well and Ric Forster did such a great job putting the whole thing together. I remember watching the teaser before the webisodes came out and thinking that it almost looked like a trailer for a film! I was very happy to be back working on Neighbours with such a great team.
You then went on to appear in the actual show. How was it working with Scott McGregor and Ashleigh Brewer?
Both Scott McGregor and Ashleigh Brewer were great to work with. In fact, the whole Neighbours cast were. I know it sounds cliche`, but they really are like one big happy family! I always felt like Scotty had my back, actually I'd like to catch up with him for some dukka eggs soon to see how everything's going. I am so happy for Ash that she's scored a gig (The Bold and the Beautiful) in America, exciting times for her ahead!
Are there any differences between filming the webisodes and filming an actual episode?
The main difference I found between shooting webisodes and filming an actual Neighbours episode is that the webisodes are filmed a lot faster. We shot them over a series of weekends. Usually shooting from 5-6am right through to sometimes 7pm but with episodes you get more time. As far as acting goes this means you get less time to prepare but this also gives you more opportunity to improvise which is always fun!
Are there any similarities between you and Sienna?
When I play different characters I always try to look for similarities between myself and the characters or parts of me that I could exaggerate that would suit the character. For Sienna, I think she has a fierce determination to get what she wants and she won't ever let anything stand in her way. I do find this quality in myself. I like to follow Will Smith's advice, "If you want something...go get it. Period."
Who do you think is better with Mark, Sienna or Kate?
Of course I'm going to say I think Sienna is better with Mark than Kate...I'm biased...Brienna all the way!
Sienna has now become a suspect in Kate’s murder case. While she maintains that she did not shoot Kate, do you think she would have had the ability to in order to be with Mark?
I don't think Sienna would of ever followed through with killing Kate. I know she is fiercely determined but I don't believe she would ever hurt anyone physically along the way. She's too smart for that!
There are a lot of theories about who shot Kate. Who do you think it was?
I think maybe Bossy accidentally slipped on a gun and killed Kate...
We currently don’t know what will happen with Sienna, but would you like to return in the future to stir the pot again?
I would love to come on the show in the future!
There have been comments made about Sienna saying she is ‘loopy’, ‘unstable’ and ‘psycho’. Do you think this is the case or are her actions justified?
I think people get a little bit "crazy" when they're in love. We all do right!? Or when you want something really badly and you can't have it - people will always try anything to get what they want!
Is there anything you would have liked to have seen Sienna do or be involved in?
I would've liked to have seen Sienna and Mark get together. Properly. Where he actually wants her to stay in Erinsborough. It would've been nice to see the fun side of Sienna and Brennan's relationship instead of Brennan always telling her to go away. I'm also a singer and a DJ so it would've been cool if Sienna got to do some singing or DJing on the show too!
Of course I'm going to say I think Sienna is better with Mark than Kate...I'm biased...Brienna all the way!
Sienna has now become a suspect in Kate’s murder case. While she maintains that she did not shoot Kate, do you think she would have had the ability to in order to be with Mark?
I don't think Sienna would of ever followed through with killing Kate. I know she is fiercely determined but I don't believe she would ever hurt anyone physically along the way. She's too smart for that!
There are a lot of theories about who shot Kate. Who do you think it was?
I think maybe Bossy accidentally slipped on a gun and killed Kate...
We currently don’t know what will happen with Sienna, but would you like to return in the future to stir the pot again?
I would love to come on the show in the future!
There have been comments made about Sienna saying she is ‘loopy’, ‘unstable’ and ‘psycho’. Do you think this is the case or are her actions justified?
I think people get a little bit "crazy" when they're in love. We all do right!? Or when you want something really badly and you can't have it - people will always try anything to get what they want!
Is there anything you would have liked to have seen Sienna do or be involved in?
I would've liked to have seen Sienna and Mark get together. Properly. Where he actually wants her to stay in Erinsborough. It would've been nice to see the fun side of Sienna and Brennan's relationship instead of Brennan always telling her to go away. I'm also a singer and a DJ so it would've been cool if Sienna got to do some singing or DJing on the show too!
Interviewed May 2014