Most actors are aware of the old Hollywood saying, “Never work with children or animals”, but for Kiwi star Antonia Prebble – whose latest role involved not one but two newborn babies – sharing a set with two bundles of joy was a heart-warming experience.
“I’ve worked with lots of babies throughout my career. It’s not always the easiest thing to do,” says Antonia, who is mum to Freddie, five, and Gus, two. “It can be tough because – for good reason – babies can only be on set for a short amount of time. If they’re not in the mood, there’s not much you can do about it!
“So I was conscious that this shoot, where we had multiple babies, might be quite challenging. It actually ended up being so much fun! The babies were just adorable and so squishy and cute. It brought back memories of when my own boys were tiny.”
Antonia – who lives in Auckland with her writer/actor husband Dan Musgrove and their boys, is talking about the second series of Kiwi comedy Double Parked. While the first series followed the fertility journey of Antonia’s character Steph and her partner Nat, played by Madeleine Sami, series two sees the same-sex couple grapple with the highs and lows of new motherhood.
And Antonia, 40, knows just how intense those initial weeks and months can be. The actress, who shared her stunning Waiheke wedding with Woman’s Day in March, says it’s been wonderful being able to call upon her own experience with Freddie and Gus.
“Becoming a mum for the first time is just so epic,” she tells. “It’s wonderful but also incredibly intense. There’s a combination of complete shock and awe, and also an immense, fierce love that you have for your baby. It’s unlike anything else.
Two babies certainly means double the laughs, says Antonia. She’s loved sharing the experience with her co-star Madeleine, who also happens to be one of her best friends. The pair first met almost 20 years ago on the set of Outrageous Fortune, and have been besties ever since. They even travelled to Paris together to attend clown school in their twenties.
“We’ve had so many great experiences together,” recalls Antonia. “I find I’m always laughing when I’m with her because she’s just so funny.”
For Antonia, who landed her first acting job at age 12, taking on a comedy role was somewhat of a step out of her comfort zone. But working alongside comedy legends such as Madeleine, Chris Parker (who wrote Double Parked) and former Shortland Street star Kura Forrester has meant she’s had plenty of people to lean on and learn from. She also added to the team, suggesting they do an episode on breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding is such a huge thing for new mums. However, I’ve never seen that properly reflected on a TV show before,” says Antonia. She admits she struggled with it for the first few weeks after Freddie was born in 2019. “I wasn’t prepared for how painful it would be. I also stressed about getting the latch right. Then you add in not sleeping… It can be quite overwhelming.”
Antonia has several new acting projects in the works, as well as voiceover jobs, MC and celebrant work. She’s delighted to be working on another series of her successful podcast, What Matters Most, with co-host and friend Jacqui Maguire. Antonia loves the variety of her work life, as well as the flexibility that allows her to be present for her boys. She admits that while she’s always been a “yes person”, she’s got better at picking and choosing roles that work well for her, Dan and the children.
“Since having kids, my priorities around my life and my work have changed a lot. Being around for Freddie and Gus is a really foundational value for me. Having said that, there are times when there is a lot going on and I do feel stretched. Right now, though, the balance is pretty good.”
And while some days feel long as mum to two small, energetic boys, she’s keenly aware of just how special it is to be raising them.
“There’s a part of me that feels like I’ll look back at this time and think they were probably the happiest years of my life,” she enthuses. “And while I love my work and it will always be important to me, the domestic part of my life is absolutely the one that is paramount.
“It’s so special and really meaningful. I know these years will go by so quickly. Even though some days it feels like it’ll never get to bedtime!”
Double Parked screens 8pm Thursdays on Three and ThreeNow.
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