Phoebe Tonkin is one of Australia’s most loved exports, with the “H2O: Just Add Water” star going on to appear in Hollywood’s “The Vampire Diaries” and “Babylon”. While global fame has come calling, the actor has continued to return to Australia to tell local stories, such as “Boy Swallows Universe” and “Bloom”.
Her latest project, “Two Years Later”, is a romance set in Brisbane after the pandemic. Following Tonkin’s character Emily, it chronicles her unexpected connection with Ryan, played by Brenton Thwaites.
“I love any opportunity to come back and tell Australian stories, as well as shooting in Brisbane,” Tonkin tells Variety. “I’ve shot three shows in Brisbane now, and I love filming there.”
It’s not just the location that attracts Tonkin, but also the calibre of filmmakers here and the ability to tell local stories. The star says it’s a “unique opportunity” to showcase the country and what makes us tick, while also being relatable worldwide.
“[We can] tell stories that have a real international appeal in their themes, but they’re still innately Australian, and they’re sort of [filled with] niche Australian references and still feel like our country,” she explains. “I’m always drawn to telling stories that I relate to, and that mimic how I grew up.”
In “Two Years Later”, Tonkin dips back into her natural Australian accent. While you may think that would be easier for the actor, it makes it a little harder to separate the character from real life.
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“Sometimes I do find it weird to do things in an Australian accent because we’re like, but wait, that’s my accent,” she laughs. “So how do I blur the lines between the character and me without having this guard, which [other accents provide]?”
Going forward, Tonkin admits she would like to diversify her career, something she’s already taken steps to do. While her acting CV over two decades is stacked with accolades and roles, she hopes to master directing and producing. “I directed a short film a couple [of] years ago… and I loved it. [I’m also] producing something that we’re hopefully going to film later in this year,” the star says.
Much like Margot Robbie and her production company LuckyChap Entertainment, Tonkin is feeling an itch to be more involved in the entire process. “As an actor, the part that always interests me the most… the part that I find [to be one of] the most enjoyable parts, is the research and the lead up, and the building of the worlds and the characters,” she says.
“[I] would love to keep working as an actor, and also love to produce some of my own things as well.”
“Two Years Later” is streaming now on Paramount+.