Behind The Scenes
Melanie Lynskey
With past roles in Two And A Half Men and Togetherness, Melanie Lynskey’s latest series Sunshine – a four-part crime drama set in Melbourne, which explores themes of racial inequality and the identity of the local South Sudanese community – is one of her most challenging yet!
What attracted you to the role of Zara in Sunshine?
I felt there was something instinctively good about the character Zara Skelton (a local lawyer who takes on a racially charged case when her teen Sudanese foster brother is charged for violent assault). The story is so moving and felt really timely. It’s been one of my favourite moments of my working life.
Do you share any similarities with Zara?
Being the oldest of five siblings and being an overprotective big sister is something Zara and I share. She would do anything for her foster brother and I would do anything for my family!
What was it about
Sunshine that made you want to tell this story?
After speaking to the other actors about the country, the history of the South Sudanese conflict and what it’s like to live in a refugee camp, it made me think how lucky I am.
Do you still get starstruck when you meet celebs?
When I met Nicole Kidman at a dinner party, I could not believe how down to earth she was. It was so many years ago, she wouldn’t remember. SUNSHINE Wednesday, 8.30pm, SBS