JANA MCKINNON

NEW DRAMA BAD BEHAVIOUR INTRODUCES A FRESH FACE

With an Aussie mother and an Austrian father, Jana McKinnon, 24, has spent her life straddling two worlds. Having starred in several international movies and TV series, the self-described “nomad” has returned to Australian shores to make her local small-screen debut in a four-part series exploring the brutal and lifelong impact of high school bullying.

What can you tell us about your Australian debut?

I feel super lucky. I actually still can’t believe it. It was such a great experience working alongside all these amazing people. The topics in the show can be quite heavy and dark. Some of the stu that goes on is really cruel, but that didn’t re ect at all into the dynamic on set. Have you ever experienced issues from the show? When you’re a teenager, everything feels super intense. I can still remember this feeling of really wanting to have a place in the world, to belong and not quite tting in. It’s the biggest privilege to be seen and loved for who you are. Tell us more about your character.

She’s so obsessed with belonging she makes some bad choices and isn’t true to who she is. You cringe because you’ve been there, but you still have empathy for her. How did you step out of your character post- lming? The supportive cast was really helpful. We would shoot the most awful violent scene, but we would all break away from that whenever there was a cut. I don’t think I’ve ever been checked on as much by colleagues as I was on this set, which was really nice. I’m incredibly grateful and appreciative of that. Taking the makeup o , the costume, being myself again in the mirror before I go home, that always helps.

(Bad Behaviour starts Fri. Feb. 17 on Stan)

Bad Behaviour is set in the unforgiving world of an exclusive girls’ boarding school.

“I hope she resonates with people,” said McKinnon of her character. “She might not be likeable, but she’s very lovable.” The action centres on a brutal year spent at the wilderness campus.