It’s hard to think of a time when Nicole Kidman wasn’t a big Hollywood name. It’s equally as hard to imagine a time without Chris, Liam and Luke Hemsworth, Toni Collette, Eric Bana, Naomi Watts or Russell Crowe.
While these Aussies have some serious star power now, on and off the screen, once upon a time, they were just a group of young people starting out in the Australian entertainment biz.
Kidman debuted as a lead role in the thriller, Dead Calm in 1989, while Chris (arguably the most famous Hemsworth) got his start as a Summer Bay High student on Home and Away.
Crowe began acting at the age of six on a series called Spyforce while Collette’s first gig was on A Country Practice. The moral of the story? They all had to start somewhere.
These talented actors, who are the creme de la creme of thespians in our country, are about to be joined by a whole wave of new talent set to take Hollywood by storm — including some serious behind-the-scenes powerhouses.
We caught up with a few up and comers to tell us what they’re working on for 2021.
Benn Spillane, Actor
From Sydney, Benn Spillane has played both leading and supporting roles in film and TV. He trained at NIDA, the Sydney Dance Company and Stunt Gym and is about to star in a long-running US TV Show.
What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
Working on two upcoming TV shows as well as Touchscreen, a short film for the SF3 Film Festival and also acting in Black Heart Red Hands, a 15-minute horror film that has won over 100 festival awards. It was amazing!
What’s coming up next for you?
My first role on TV will premiere next year. It’s a US series for Foxtel. I also have a new TV pilot coming out on other platforms, as well as a web series.
Mia Healey, Actor
Landing the role of Shelby on The Wilds was a bit of a pinch-me moment for Mia Healey, who scored the role straight out of graduating from NIDA. This is her first professional role with more on the way.
What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
“The highlight of my career would have to be playing Shelby in The Wilds without a doubt. I learnt so much from that character. That job in general is just a dream. I am so lucky that my first job in this industry I was able to work with and alongside some of the most empowering women I’ve ever met. I’m so grateful!”
What’s coming up next for you?
“We are officially going back for season 2 of The Wilds in 2021 which I am so excited about. There are also some other things in the pipeline that I can’t speak about just yet. I don’t want to jinx anything but I’m very much looking forward to 2021.”
Talin Agon, Actor & Writer
Talin Agon is a Sydney based actor, writer and producer, with her own production company Queen of the Jungle. She most recently was a finalist in the SF3 SmartFone Flickfest, acting in the film Touch/Screen with Spillane.
What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
“I appeared in the Aussie film Life of the Party with actress Holly Brisley. I was a huge fan of her in Home and Away, so when I got the role I couldn’t believe it.”
What’s coming up next for you?
“I am currently writing two thrillers. Wrath, which is about two female detectives pursuing a serial criminal and also The Candle Maker, a ghost story set in a small town in Australia.”
Nalina Okley, Director
Director and producer, Nalina Okey, has produced photography and video campaigns for reputable brands including Optus, Virgin, Singtel, Harvey Norman, Domayne and Rebel Sport.
She is also a passionate advocate for cultural diversity and stories about the empowerment of women.
What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
“I’m part of a team that recently shared in $6 million funding from Screen Australia and the ABC to produce the feature film drama Here Out West.”
What’s coming up next for you?
We’ve just started working on Here Out West. My roles are producer assistant and location attachment. The film aims to be released in 2021.
Kern Sharma, Director
Kern Sharma directed the film TouchScreen for the SF3 Festival.
What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
“Creating ‘TouchScreen’ for the SF3 festival. I can now say I’ve had my film shown at Event Cinemas in Sydney’s George Street.”
What’s coming up next for you?
“I am currently working on a web series and a music video and preparing to help with the CLIPPED Music Video Festival 2020.