Meet Saskia Burmeister...

She played complete misfit, Erica “Yuk” Yurken in Hating Alison Ashley...and loved every minute of it!

“Erica is a contradiction in herself,” she says about her character. “I adored her straight away. On the outside she is melodramatic and strong...but in playing her, I realised that underneath she is very soft and vulnerable, her feelings are hurt easily”.

Saskia’s role in Hating Alison Ashley isn’t her first role in a feature film. Over her short career, she’s played all kinds of characters. In her first film, The Pact, back in 2001, she played a teenage train surfer! Her next role came a year later when she starred opposite complete hotties, Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom in Ned Kelly! How lucky is Saskia?! You might even recognise her as check-out-chick, Chloe, in Thunderstruck, 2003.

Just like her character, Saskia is also totally obsessed with Romeo and Juliet! “I loved the movie so much, I went to see it five times at the cinema...and cried every time Leonardo DiCaprio died! I still recite Juliet's monologues in my room, just like Erica!”

Saskia’s role as Yuk in Hating Alison Ashley is her first ever leading role in a feature film, but, somehow, we don’t think it’ll be her last!

Tracy Mann

... on "Mum".

“… Mum is the epitome of the woman who just loves her children unconditionally. Allows them to be who they are, encourages them… [Yuk] is probably her greatest problem child because she just doesn’t fit in and is the one who is really embarrassed about her family and Mum would like her not to be.”

Tracy is one of Australia’s most prolific actors. In 1980 she received an AFI award for her role in the film Hard Knocks and in 1991 an AFI nomination for Best Actress for Television for the telemovie How Wonderful. Her other film credits include Scarescrow, On Guard, Reckless Kelly and The Cup.

She added a Silver Logie for her portrayal of Esse Rogers in Sword of Honour (1986). Her TV career reads like a Who'sWho of Australian television drama series with The Sullivans, Young Doctors, Prisoner, Kingswood Country, Ash Wednesday, Cyclone Tracy, The Flying Doctors, All Together Now, A Country Practice, Water Rates, Heartbreak High and Home & Away.

Tracy has trod the boards of Australia's most famous stages with starring roles in Rape of Lucretia McColl, Peter Pan, Catholic School Girls, The Removalist, Two Weeks with the Queen, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Vagina Monologues.

Richard Carter

... on "Lennie".

“ … Lennie is a lonely, quiet character in search of love and family…. He’s going to do a job - and that’s keeping that family together, as long as they want him to. If he’s kind of heart, kind of spirit, looks after their mum and treats them with respect, he shouldn’t have a rough ride of it.”

Well known for his comedic and dramatic versatility, Richard has had an extensive career in film and television.

In supporting roles, he has appeared in the feature films Reckless Kelly, Muriel’s Wedding, Idiot Box, Babe 2, Bootmen, Rabbit Proof Fence, The Man Who Sued God, You Can’t Stop The Murders and most recently playing the role of "Crusher" in Getting Square.

Richard's television credits include White Collar Blue, The Bill, Pizza and the telemovie My Husband, My Killer.

Richard has also had an extensive career as a stand-up comedian – headlining comedy tours in Australia and Internationally

Rachel Carpani

... on "Valjoy".

“… a real challenge, a very full on character. She’s basically your typical rebellious teenager with the added thing that she’s also quite violent, ... and she takes great pleasure in tormenting her sister.... The three main things in her life are herself, of course, boys and her fashion.”

“Are you sure you’ve got the right person?”

Those were Rachael Carpani’s first stunned words when she received the telephone call to tell her she’d won a role on Channel Nine’s new drama series, McLeod’s Daughters.

Now, with McLeod’s into its fourth season, those gutsy gals from Drover’s Run have settled themselves into a well-earned place in the homes (and hearts!) of Australian television viewers. Rachael Carpani has endeared herself to fans everywhere in her role as curly-haired, vivacious Jodi Fountain.

Rachael studied acting at Australian College of Entertainment, at Macquarie University and also at the DramaWorks Drama Company. She was also studying for a Bachelor of Arts, Media and Cultural Studies degree, but decided to defer her final year when she was cast in MacLeod’s! Rachael has always been the academic type, and hopes to one day return to complete her studies.

You’ll recognise Rachael from her guest appearances on Home and Away and All Saints. She’s also starred in stage productions of The Importance of Being Earnest, Bedloe Park and A Doctor in Spite of Himself.

Her role as Valjoy in Hating Alison Ashley is Rachael’s first ever film appearance.

Abby Gudgeon

... on "Jedda".

Watch this space more coming from Abby soon...

Watch this space more coming about Abby soon...

Anthony Cleave

Harley is a sweet natured bliss seeker...

albeit a bit vague, who’s world turns at his own pace.

This is probably why Erica is so frustrated by him, given she’s incredibly wound up all the time. He’s quite proud of her and admires her creativity, all the while being completely unaware of her angst, and well, a lot of other things too.

Before appearing in Hating Alison Ashley, I've had roles in numerous student films, stage productions and a guest role on Blue Heelers.

Between auditions you can find me splashing oil paint on canvas, an art form I've been practicing for the past 13 years. If you find me without a brush or script in hand and in desperate need of rent money... I will make you a fabulous cup of coffee!