As the co-creator and star of TV comedy Bump, Claudia Karvan was involved in the decision for her character Angie Davis’ cancer to return – she just didn’t realise how tough the final season storyline would be for her.
As the final scenes wrapped up, The Secret Life Of Us actress couldn’t bring herself to get emotional about the show ending.
“I was pretty much a husk by the end,” confesses Claudia Karvan, 52. “I was depleted. There was a lot of emotion, a lot of hugging, and lots of presents, flowers and Champagne. Yes, it was beautiful, but I did feel a little bit outside of everything because of the last season storyline.”

As Bump’s fifth and final series begins, Angie and her extended family are visiting the oncologist, who tells her she needs a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Claudia says co-creator Kelsey Munro’s mum was also going through chemo at the time.
“Kelsey’s mother battled lymphoma, and I’ve also watched several friends lose their lives to cancer,” she says. “It’s a time to start reflecting on your mortality. As my friend puts it, the fifties are the sniper years.”
But the season also has plenty of less heavy moments. There’s a romance blooming between Shauna and Marcus, which Claudia and the team wrote after seeing Dylan Alcott, a Paralympic gold medallist, as well as Steph Tisdell acting opposite each other last season also. “We had to have this love affair,” says Claudia.

Wentworth star Nicole da Silva also makes a brief appearance as the ex-partner of Ryan Johnson’s character Tim. Claudia says Tim aims to delight Doctor Doctor fans who loved seeing Ryan and Nicole as a couple.
As well, there’s a scene in the final episode taken from Claudia’s own life. She explains, “When I’m having a really flat day or feel a bit dusty, I get in my car, go to one of those drive-through car washes, then I just sit there.” I pitched that and then it’s in the show.”
This season is the first that Nathalie Morris, who plays Angie’s daughter Oly, has co-written an episode. “To empower Nat in that way is probably one of the proudest things that happened on series five for us,” says Claudia. “I love and adore Nat, and she will be my TV daughter for life.”

Claudia – who has children Audrey, 23, and Albee, 18, with former partner Jeremy Sparks. She also says the young Bump cast are “so much more professional and responsible” than she was at their age, she admits to being less focused during her own youth. “None of them ever came to work hungover!” she laughs.
With appearances in TV shows Great Australian Road Trips and Who Do You Think You Are? in the works this year, Claudia is extremely happy with where she’s at in her life.
“I’m trying not to be smug,” she grins. “I’m really trying not to be the cat that got the cream. But, life’s so good.”
The fifth and final season of Bump screens 8pm Wednesdays on Vibe and streams on Neon.