Michala Banas

Michala Banas
Born (1978-11-14) 14 November 1978
Wellington, New Zealand
Occupation Actress
Years active 1985–present

Michala Elizabeth Laurinda Banas (/mɪˌklə ˈbænəs/; born 14 November 1978) is a New Zealand television actress, and singer now living in Australia.

Life and career

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, she starred in her first advert at only 18 months of age.

Her debut film performance was when she was five years old, in the New Zealand film Dangerous Orphans. Her Australian debut television performance was as Louisa in the miniseries Mirror, Mirror in 1995.

From 2001, Banas played Marissa Taylor in Always Greener and in 2002, she had a small role in the film adaptation Scooby-Doo.

Banas is an accomplished singer, and in 2003 released a single, "Kissin' The Wind", which made the top 30 on the Australian Recording Industry Association singles chart.

In 2004, Banas joined the cast of McLeod's Daughters as the character Kate Manfredi, the best friend of Jodi Fountain McLeod. She played Kate from episodes 88 to 170, when she took a short break to later return in episode 177. It was announced in 2007 that she would leave McLeod's Daughters in its final season. Banas' last episode was aired in early December 2008.

From 11 November 2008, Banas appeared in the role of Libby Kennedy on the Australian soap opera Neighbours for a five-week period after Kym Valentine was forced to take a temporary break due to illness.[1]

In 2009, Banas filled in for Fox FM's Jo Stanley on The Matt and Jo Show while Stanley was on maternity leave. That same year saw her star in the national tour of the Broadway musical, Avenue Q, playing the roles of "Kate Monster" and "Lucy the Slut". Banas is currently one of three celebrity faces for Proactiv Solution in Australia and New Zealand.

Banas has a guest role as Tiffany Turner on the drama series Winners & Losers,[2] and a supporting role on ABC3 teen drama Nowhere Boys as Phoebe. In 2013, Banas starred in the ABC comedy series Upper Middle Bogan as Amber Wheeler. The series was renewed for a second season which premiered the following year.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Dangerous Orphans Anna
2002 Scooby-Doo Carol
2003 Ned Muffy
2010 Colours of Home, TheThe Colours of Home Karen Short film
2016 Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows Phoebe Hartley
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Mirror, Mirror Louisa Iredale 20 episodes
1998 State Coroner Zoe Martin Episode: "Days of Reckoning"
Episode: "Days of Reckoning II"
1999 Murder Call Kylie McDonald Episode: "Cut & Dried"
1999 Flipper Karen Episode: "Spring Break"
1999 Blue Heelers Tara Bruckner Episode: "Winning at All Costs"
2000 Blue Heelers Michaela Brady Episode: "Leg Work"
2000 Lost World, TheThe Lost World Renata Episode: "Unnatural Selection"
2000–01 Round the Twist Ariel 11 episodes
2000–01 Something in the Air Angela O'Connor 11 episodes
2001 BeastMaster Loriel Episode: "Mydoro"
2001 Saddle Club, TheThe Saddle Club Shoshonna Green Episode: "Star Quality"
2001–03 Always Greener Marissa Taylor 50 episodes
2004–08 McLeod's Daughters Kate Manfredi 119 episodes
2008 Mansion, TheThe Mansion Megan McKean Episode: "1.12"
2008 Neighbours Libby Kennedy 23 episodes
2011–2016 Winners & Losers Tiffany Turner 16 episodes
2012 Beaconsfield Caroline Russell Episode: "1.1"
Episode: "1.2"
2013–2016 Upper Middle Bogan Amber Wheeler Main role
2014 Have You Been Paying Attention? Herself/Panelist Season: "3", Episode: "13", "15" & "17"
2013–16 Nowhere Boys Phoebe Hartley Supporting role
2015 Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Enid Season: "3", Episode: "6"

References

  1. Byrne, Fiona (10 August 2008). "Kym Valentine: I had no idea I was so ill". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  2. "Michala Banas confirms role on new drama". Media Spy. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2011. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
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