Perth actor Grace Chow initially signed on for the new ABC series Dog Park for one simple reason: the dogs. However, she quickly discovered the show's deeper heartbeat is about the humans who gather there.
More Than Just a Walk in the Park
The six-part series, filmed in Melbourne and premiering February 1 on the ABC, was co-created by Leon Ford and Amanda Higgs. It stars Celia Pacquola and Ford, following Ford's character Roland through a midlife crisis when he meets Pacquola's Samantha and her eclectic group of dog park regulars.
Chow plays Pamelia, a uniquely styled character with bleached eyebrows and a vibrant personality. Ironically, Pamelia doesn't own a dog, a central theme that underscores the show's premise. "The dog park isn't just a place for pooches, but a meeting point for human connection," Chow explains.
Navigating Loneliness and Awkwardness
The actor reveals that many people relate to Pamelia's experience. "Whenever I talk about her, a lot of people tell me that they remember a time in their life when they were really lonely and went to the dog park," she says.
Chow describes the series as being fundamentally about people trying to connect in everyday spaces, with dogs merely serving as the initial catalyst. "It's actually about loneliness, awkwardness, kindness — all of the things that we don't want to admit that we're navigating all the time," she reflects.
From Bruce Rock to a Global Stage
Chow, who grew up in Bruce Rock in regional Western Australia, developed an early love for acting inspired by Saturday night movies. After graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), she built a diverse career across theatre, television, and film.
The past year has been exceptionally busy, including a one-person show for the Black Swan Theatre Company and a role in Good Cop/Bad Cop alongside Leighton Meester. Now, she's enjoying downtime in Perth, working on the second draft of her first feature film.
While she doesn't currently own a dog due to a nomadic 2025 that saw her living across Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and LA, Chow understands the community spirit of dog parks intimately. Her partner's mother runs Spilt Milk, a dog-walking cafe in Fremantle that fosters a tight-knit community. "There is so much heart in that community," Chow notes.
As she takes a moment to rest and celebrate her recent successes, Chow is excited for audiences to experience the warmth and humour of Dog Park, a show that proves sometimes the best friendships are found where you least expect them.
