What was it about Dalliance that made you want to be part of the project?

John Edwards invited me into a writers room to throw around ideas for a show about people in their 60’s. To be in a room with John who has been behind so many brilliant Australian series was an opportunity to be grabbed without hesitation and then to be creating a show about my generation was thrilling.

How would you describe the series to someone who knows nothing about it?

Dalliance is a fun, messy, authentic story about deeply flawed friends navigating their relationships through grief, romance, family challenges and the richly relatable ticking clock of time.  It equally hilarious and heartbreaking. 

You are also a co-producer on this production. What was that experience like, and how did balance the role of co-producer and actor? 

John opened the door and literally introduced me to the role of Co Producer alongside himself and Dan.

Every day I learned an enormous amount. I absolutely loved being on set every day both as an actor and producer. Post Production was intoxicating. Learning to become decisive and move on without regret or self recrimination was a great lesson. 

There is a theme around lifelong friendships in this drama, and you have such an extraordinary cast. Are you lifelong friends in real life? And if so, how does that shape the filming experience?

One of the great joys of being an actor and getting older, is the life long friendships the industry offers. To work with people you have a history with is deeply rewarding. I think those of us with a shared past brought our own familiarity to our roles. The familiarity allows for immediate connection which can then be built on and shaped to suit the story’s relationships. I have known Hugo, Georgie, David, Wayne, Catherine, Russell, Katrina, Paula and many of the crew for more than 30 years.

My husband Marty McGrath was the DOP and that was absolutely wonderful as he calms me and I enthuse him.

What do you think stands out about Australian drama?

I think we have a unique humour which often undercuts dramatic moments surprising not only the audience but also other characters in a story.

We have big skies and wide spaces not far from urban environments and this also creates special contrasts visually in many of our stories. This mirrors who we are I think.