Clementine Mills plays Quinn Cox
Where were you born?
I was born in a little town in Surrey, England.
Where do you call home?
I had most of my childhood years in the UK, then my family moved to Auckland when I was 13. I also lived in Sydney for a number of years. If I had to pick one, I’d say Aotearoa – I feel very lucky to call this place home.
What was your first-ever paying job?
I started babysitting when I was 12 – I’ve always loved working with children and animals.
What was your first big break?
It was called M.Rock, a beautiful play based on a real story about the world’s oldest DJ. I was playing the granddaughter Tracy, who was a fun-loving, quirky chaos agent – like a younger version of Quinn actually!
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
You don’t have to date boys. You don’t have to rush in to dating anyone. Go with your instincts based on how you feel about a person and when you are ready.
Five things to check off the bucket list:
To become fluent in French, Spanish and te reo
To travel to Japan, Martinique, Malta and all of South America
To get a screenplay funded and produced
To volunteer in an animal shelter or sanctuary
To create an arts space or support group for the young neurodivergent and rainbow community
Xander Manktelow plays Harry Thompson (Warner)
Where were you born?
I was born in a town called Gillingham in the ceremonial county of Kent, England.
Where do you call home?
I now call Wellington home!
What was your first-ever paying job?
Acting! I got lucky enough to book a small role when I was 17.
What was your first big break?
My first big acting role was working on the television teen drama Mystic, based on the Pony Club Secrets by Stacy Gregg.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Get out of your comfort zone!
Five things to check off the bucket list:
I want to create an animation studio with my brother, so we can create shows like the ones we grew up with, like Avatar, Regular Show, Adventure Time, etc
Get married and have kids
Play in the all-star celebrity game
Perform in a show written and directed by my partner
Buy my granddad the red Vespa that he has always wanted
Tatum Warren-Ngata plays Stella Reihana
Where were you born?
Waitākere in West Auckland.
Where do you call home?
I grew up in Te Atatū Peninsula in West Auckland, but my whānau is from Te Araroa, which is on the East Coast of the North Island. I call both home.
What was your first-ever paying job?
I modelled for a couple of Rebel Sport catalogues when I was 10.
Your first big break?
I played the sassy and troubled Rehutai on the bilingual Māori Television show Ahikāroa. I had such an amazing time learning the ins and outs of working on a set, and the show gave me a platform to connect with other Māori creatives.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
It all works out, so enjoy the ride and be kind to yourself.
Five things to check off the bucket list:
Walk in a designer’s runway show for fashion week
Dye my hair orange
Be on a magazine cover
See Earth from the Moon
Get a tattoo
Aidan O’Malley plays Parker Dawson
Where were you born?
Guy’s Hospital, London, England
Where do you call home?
I grew up in Rotorua until I was 13 and then I moved to a farm just outside of Tirau, South Waikato.
What was your first-ever paying job?
Milking on a farm in Tirau and working at Hobbiton.
What was your first big break?
The Haka Party Incident in 2021. Flipping incredible show!
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Take the tissues out of your dirty washing before it goes in the basket.
Five things to check off the bucket list:
Skydive
Visit County Mayo in Ireland
Write and perform a solo show
Race in the Isle of Man
Watch the salmon swim upriver in Alaska
Madeleine Adams
Where were you born?
Sydney, Australia.
Where do you call home?
I grew up in a place called Kāpiti – famous for its ice cream and cheese!
What was your first-ever paying job?
My first paying job was working at a horse stable in a place called Paekākāriki, near my hometown. I would groom horses, muck out paddocks and take people out on pony rides. I absolutely loved it. I think I was paid about $10 a day, which I spent on rainbow Paddle Pops in my lunch break.
What was your first big break?
My very first job actually came from my very first audition! It was for the lead in a short film called Pound, which was being made by the NZ Film School. We shot it for five days in the middle of winter at Mt Crawford Prison. It was the most incredible experience and to this day is still one of my favourite jobs I’ve ever done.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Don’t care so much about what others think. Just be yourself – you are more than enough.
Five things to check off the bucket list:
Skydive
Do one of the great walks in New Zealand
Go to Cuba
Swim in the Dead Sea
Travel around Europe
Ariki Turner plays Noah Forrester
Where were you born?
I was born in Te Kūiti.
Where do you call home?
I moved around a lot from Te Kūiti to Napier and back, then to Hamilton, then finished my high school years in Te Kūiti – that will always be my home.
What was your first-ever paying job?
I was a kitchen hand at the Waitomo caves restaurant/café.
What was your first big break?
I would have to say it was only recently. I have just finished filming a feature film called The Convert, which had Lee Tamahori as the director. The movie is still to be released.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Don’t sell yourself short, don’t get comfortable, always be hungry for opportunities and surpass who you were yesterday!
Five things to check off the bucket list:
Skydiving
Bungee jump
Star in a Marvel movie
Become an anime voice character
Perform kapa haka on an international stage
