Tassie actor top of the charts

Tegan Stimson won over audiences across the nation after starring in the widely successful Netflix dramedy Irreverent, which shot up the ranks to one of the streaming service’s most watched shows in December.

Tasmanian actor Tegan Stimson stars as Daisy in Netflix's 'Irreverent'. Image: Netflix

TEGAN Stimson is authentic, relatable and Australian – just like the characters she plays on screen.

The Tasmanian actor won over audiences across the nation after starring in the widely successful Netflix dramedy Irreverent, which shot up the ranks to be the streaming service’s third most watched show in Australia in December.

Stimson, from Hobart, had no idea how audiences were going to respond to the show and still can’t wrap her head around its popularity.

“It’s been so successful, which isn’t a shock because it is such a good piece of production, but I just can’t fathom what’s going on with it,” Stimson told the Mercury.

“It’s such a surreal experience. I can’t imagine anyone that’s not my friends or family watching it.”

Tasmanian actor Tegan Stimson stars as Daisy in Netflix's 'Irreverent'. Image: Netflix

Colin Donnel and Tegan Stimson in Netflix's 'Irreverent'. Image: Netflix

Irreverent follows the story of Mack (Colin Donnell) who flees America to a small Australian reef community in far north Queensland following a failed heist, where he poses as the town’s new church Reverend.

Stimson said she really hit it off with her fellow cast members while filming at Mission Beach, south of Cairns, and developed a great rapport with series lead Colin Donnell.

“With Colin there was a really beautiful dynamic between Daisy, my character, and Mack, his character. I think it played really well off the fact that you know, Colin is American and I’m this little Australian girl, so we bring that to our characters.”

Stimson said she has always been drawn to authentic, grounded and diverse characters people can relate to.

Tasmanian actor Tegan Stimson stars as Daisy in Netflix's 'Irreverent'. Image: Netflix

The 20-year-old has already played a lead role in SBS’ The Tailings (2019) and has another project in the works – she will star in the upcoming SBS drama series Safe House alongside fellow Aussie actor Aisha Dow.

Stimson said while the idea of pursing a career overseas sounds appealing, she thinks Australian television is her calling for now.

“I’d love to do more Australian dramas or even Australian comedy – just more Australian TV,” she said.

“I think it feels really real and authentic … it’s real characters. You can go, I know someone like that or I’ve been through that.”

Irreverent is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Originally published as Tassie actor top of the charts