5 MINUTES WITH CATHERINE MCCLEMENTS
Aft After starring in Aussie dramas like Wentworth, Rush and Tangle, Catherine Mcclements is now swinging into the ’60s with the hotly anticipated spin-off series Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries. Starring alongside Wanted’s Geraldine Hakewill, Catherine, 53, plays Birdie Birnside, a member of The Adventuresses’ Club, which Peregrine Fisher, niece of Phryne, joins. The Silver Logie Award winner chats to Woman’s Day about her exciting new role.
Tell us a bit about your character Birdie...
Birdie came into her own during the war. I think she quite enjoyed World War II actually, probably the only person in the world who had a good time. And I think once she came back, she wanted to continue that sense that she owned her own life and she could run things herself, so she starts The Adventuresses’ Club and invites women who are li living a lif life that is maybe a little bit out of the mainstream in the ’60s.
What attracted you to the role?
I hadn’t seen this sort of role in Australian television before. Birdie is quite eccentric. She’s sort of who you want to be – someone pursuing their own interests without worrying about what anyone else thinks.
What’s it like starring in a period piece?
It’s a real joy to play with! All that strange language that existed, I find really entertaining. I also loved that it was a period on the cusp of great social change.
What it’s like working with Geraldine, Toby Truslove and Louisa Mignone?
The four of us form the core of The Adventuresses’ Club, so we’ve become very close, very warm. There’s a really great sense of humour within that.
MS FISHER’S MODERN MURDER MYSTERIES premieres Thursday, 8.30pm, Seven