Puberty Blues star Brenna Harding in new theatre show The Wolves

Aussie actor Brenna Harding — most well-known for her role as Sue Knight in Puberty Blues — reveals how she balances her acting ambitions from home to Hollywood.

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Rising Aussie star Brenna Harding, most well-known for her role as Sue Knight in Puberty Blues, reveals how she balances her acting ambitions from home to Hollywood.

Q You’ve been a part of hit Australian shows such as Packed To The Rafters, Puberty Blues and A Place To Call Home in your 10 years as an actor. How did you start?

They had an open cast call at my primary school in Year 6 for a kids’ TV show called My Place and I was lucky enough to get cast. I had a total ball on set so I got an agent off the back of that. I’ve had a pretty lucky run since then.

Q What was it like playing Sue Knight in Puberty Blues?

Brenna Harding is starring in a show called The Wolves at the Belvoir Theatre. Picture: Justin Lloyd

It was unbelievable. Puberty Blues was an absolute dream. I started that show when I was 15 and I just had the most wonderful time. It’s set a very high bar for the rest of my career and I feel very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time for that one.

Q You were recently a part of the hugely acclaimed British sci-fi show Black Mirror — how was that experience?

It was a bit surreal. They had been following my work for a little bit in Australia so they actually asked me to audition. It is really nice to get that sort of international recognition because there are so many amazing actors.

Q Your earliest TV appearance was in 2004 on Play School with your mums. That caused some controversy at the time. Now that you’re 23, how do you look back on that experience?

I definitely remember getting a free media pass for Wonderland and going on all the rides because that was a child’s dream. But I also remember a lot of the hubbub and I guess for me, having grown up with two mums, I knew that they’re different but there’s nothing wrong with that, especially the way everyone kept insinuating.

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Q You’re an advocate for LGBT+ rights. Does that impact the roles you select?

I always want my roles to help people understand themselves and the world better. In some ways being a child of a same-sex marriage and being in the public eye — which meant having to justify my existence and my parents’ existence — gave me a really strong awareness of how speaking out can lead to social change.

Q What was your childhood like?

I had a lovely childhood. I grew up around Sydney’s inner west. It was full of imagination and activities. I was the kind of kid who had an extra-curricular activity on every single day of the week and extras on some days. I did public speaking, debating, drama, dancing, soccer, French horn — a ridiculous array really.

Brenna Harding (right) with her Puberty Blues co-star Ashleigh Cummings. Picture: Channel 10

Q Your latest project is the play The Wolves, which is about a teenage girls’ soccer team. What led you to this role?

It’s beautiful and poetic and almost orchestral in the way it’s written — it feels like an ode to the teenage girl. There are so many different characters but they are all honoured in their uniqueness and complexity.

Q Are you normally drawn to strong female characters?

Absolutely. I’m always looking to endorse projects that tell stories that have not been given the time of day. I think it’s really important for people to see themselves represented on stage.

Acting is the ultimate form of empathy where you try to completely understand someone’s experience and being an audience member is much the same, so I think it really has the power to affect people and change minds.

That’s what really drew me to The Wolves. I think everyone will be able to see part of themselves in one of the girls.

Q Do you have plans for Hollywood?

I was in the top 10 for the Heath Ledger Scholarship last year and I went to Los Angeles and connected with the Australians in the film community and the other finalists.

I have management over there so I am open to Hollywood but I also have a deep love for the Australian community and have no plans to leave altogether.

Q How do you unwind?

I’m a big extrovert so I spend a lot of time with my friends. At the moment it’s really hot so I’m loving swimming. I also love yoga.

Q What are your new year’s resolutions for 2019?

It feels like a bit of cliche but I want to be more present in my friendships and relationships.

* The Wolves opens at Belvoir St Theatre today.

Originally published as Puberty Blues star Brenna Harding in new theatre show The Wolves