Award-winning Australian actress Mandy McElhinney is trading her usual dramatic roles for something decidedly more spectral in the hilarious new series Ghosts Australia, and she couldn't be more thrilled about her supernatural career shift.
The beloved actress, known for her powerful performances in shows like Pine Gap and Love Child, reveals she jumped at the chance to join the spooky ensemble cast when producers came calling.
From Drama to Ghostly Laughs
McElhinney plays Margaret, a ghost from the 1850s who's been haunting the same property for centuries. "She's quite prim and proper, but she's also stuck in her ways," the actress explains of her character. "Playing someone who's been dead for 170 years certainly presents some unique acting challenges!"
The series follows a young couple who inherit a dilapidated country mansion, only to discover it's teeming with ghosts from different historical periods - all trapped together in supernatural limbo.
A Fresh Aussie Take on a Global Hit
Ghosts Australia adapts the wildly successful BBC format that has already spawned versions in the US and other countries. What makes the Australian iteration unique is its incorporation of local history and distinctly Aussie humour.
"We've got our own flavour," McElhinney beams. "There's something special about Australian comedy that really shines through in this adaptation."
Spooky Set Stories and Spectral Co-stars
While the show deals with the supernatural, McElhinney admits the set was anything but scary. "We had the best time filming," she recalls. "When you're working with such a talented ensemble cast, the chemistry just happens naturally."
The actress particularly enjoyed exploring the physical comedy aspects of her ghostly character. "There's a lot of walking through walls and floating about - it's completely different from anything I've done before."
With its blend of humour, heart, and haunted house hijinks, Ghosts Australia promises to deliver spooky fun for audiences of all ages. McElhinney and her ghostly co-stars are ready to bring the laughs - and maybe a few friendly chills - to Australian television screens.
