Wikipedia

Phoebe Tonkin

Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin (born 12 July 1989) is an Australian actress. Born and raised in Sydney, she began her career on Australian television and had her breakthrough playing Cleo Sertori in the Network Ten fantasy series H2O: Just Add Water (2006–2010), for which she received acclaim and was nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Actress. Tonkin made her film debut as Fiona Maxwell in Stuart Beattie's apocalyptic war film Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010). After starring in the horror film Bait 3D (2012), she relocated to America, where she received acclaim for her roles as Faye Chamberlain in the CW supernatural drama series The Secret Circle (2011–2012) and Hayley Marshall in The Vampire Diaries (2012–2013) and The Originals (2013–2018).

Phoebe Tonkin
Tonkin in 2014
Born
Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin

(1989-07-12) 12 July 1989 (age 35)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationActress
Years active2005–present
Works
AwardsFull list

Tonkin directed the short film Furlough (2016), starred in the Emmy-winning SBS thriller miniseries Safe Harbour (2018) and the Stan science fiction drama series Bloom (2019–2020), and appeared in Damien Chazelle's film Babylon (2022). She next starred as a drug addicted mother in the Netflix miniseries Boy Swallows Universe (2024), garnering acclaim and a nomination for the Logie Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama.

Offscreen, Tonkin has been labeled a fashion icon, with her fashion ventures, public appearances and partnerships with Chanel and Tiffany and Co. gaining widespread media attention.[a]

Early life and education

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Phoebe Tonkin was born on 12 July 1989[1] in Sydney, New South Wales, and grew up in the suburb of Mosman.[2]

When she was four, she attended dance courses in classical ballet, hip hop, contemporary dance and tap dance. At the age of 12, Tonkin began courses at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) at the Wharf Theatre. Tonkin graduated from Queenwood School for Girls.[2]

Career

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2000s: Beginnings and breakthrough

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In 2005, Tonkin was cast in the role of Cleo Sertori on the Australian children's television series H2O: Just Add Water, which follows the lives of three teenage girls who turn into mermaids. She worked on improving her swimming abilities during pre-production. The series premiered on 7 July 2006 on Network Ten, and went on to be aired to a worldwide audience of over 250 million. As part of the promotional activities for the series, Tonkin and her co-stars presented the "Best Band" award at the Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards in October 2007. In 2008, she was nominated for "Best Lead Actress in a Television Series" at the prestigious Australian Film Institute Awards.[3] The series ran for three seasons, with the series finale airing on 16 April 2010.

2010s: Worldwide recognition

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Tonkin at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2012

Tonkin has appeared on the Australian television shows Packed to the Rafters and Home and Away.[4][5][6] In September 2010, she made her film debut starring in the Australian action ensemble film Tomorrow, When the War Began. The film revolves around a group of teenagers waging a guerrilla war against an invading foreign power in their fictional hometown of Wirrawee. Tonkin played the rich and uptight Fiona Maxwell. In December 2010, a sequel was announced, in which Tonkin was expected to return,[7] but production never eventuated. In January 2011, Tonkin moved to Los Angeles to pursue her international acting career.[8] In March 2011, she was cast as Faye Chamberlain in The CW's supernatural drama series The Secret Circle,[9] which premiered on 15 September 2011 to over 3.5 million viewers.[10][11] The series follows a group of young witches who form a secret coven. Tonkin received critical acclaim for her performance, with critics calling her the break-out star of the series; she was featured on Variety's list of "new faces to watch",[12] and named one of 2011's break-out TV stars by E! Online.[13] The show, however, had only one full season and was cancelled on 11 May 2012.[14]

In August 2010, Tonkin was cast in the 3D horror film Bait 3D.[15] Filming took place in the coastal city of Gold Coast, Queensland; the film follows a group of strangers trapped in a supermarket with a pack of great white sharks after a freak tsunami. Tonkin reunited with her H2O: Just Add Water co-star Cariba Heine for this film, which was expected to be released in Australia in September 2012. In August 2012, Tonkin joined the cast of The CW television series The Vampire Diaries, in the recurring role of Hayley, a friend of Tyler's. Once again, she reunited with a co-star from H2O: Just Add Water—this time Claire Holt, who portrays Rebekah Mikaelson on the show.[16]

On 11 January 2013, The CW confirmed that a spin-off series to The Vampire Diaries was in the works, titled The Originals. The series revolves around the Original Vampire family members, and Tonkin would be "heavily featured in the prospective pilot" of the series.[17] The CW confirmed on 13 February that Claire Holt would also join the cast of The Originals, marking the third time Tonkin and Holt have starred together on a show.[18]

On 15 May 2017, SBS announced that Tonkin had been cast in their new four-part drama Safe Harbour about a group of Australians on a sailing vacation who come across a boat of refugees.[19] Tonkin revealed on Instagram that her character's name would be "Olivia".[20] The series received critical acclaim and won an International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries in 2019.[21][22] She next appeared on an episode of The Affair as Delphine, a promiscuous art protégée.[23][24]

After her having expressed in interviews a desire to continue working in Australia,[25] it was announced on 20 August 2018 that Tonkin had been cast in Bloom, to be aired on the streaming platform Stan, as the young Gwen Reid, a character whose older version is portrayed by Jacki Weaver.[26] In 2019, Tonkin wrote and directed her first short film, Furlough, which was screened around the world in film festivals in 2020.[27] Since 2019, she has participated in the Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program, aimed at empowering female directors.[28]

2020s: Established actress

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In April 2021, it was announced that Tonkin would co-star in a horror film titled Night Shift, alongside Lamorne Morris and Madison Hu. The film will be directed by Paul and Benjamin China.[29] Tonkin was featured in the 2023 historical fiction narrative podcast The Foxes of Hydesville, playing Leah Fox's companion, Adelaide Granger.[30] In 2024, she starred as a struggling, drug addicted mother in Boy Swallows Universe, a Netflix coming of age miniseries based on the acclaimed semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Trent Dalton. The series received widespread praise from critics, with Tonkin's performance being singled out as one of her best.[31] Jessica Baker of WhoWhatWear wrote that Tonkin "is in the midst of a transformative period. Coming off a truly spectacular dramatic performance in Boy Swallows Universe."[32] Dalton, who wrote the eponymous novel the series is based on, also praised Tonkin's performance, stating "Phoebe went right ahead and gave a performance across eight hours of television that is so raw and exposing and true and dark-as-night-sometimes and so filled with light and hope and heart and LOVE that it reminded me why I wanted to write Boy Swallows Universe in the first place."[33] For her performance in Boy Swallows Universe, Tonkin was nominated for the 2024 Logie Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama.

Tonkin's next project, the drama film Kid Snow, premiered at the Sydney Film Festival that same year.[34][35]

Other projects

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Fashion

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Labeled a fashion icon, Tonkin's fashion choices and public appearances have been widely publicised.[36] Her promotion of Australian fashion[37] and partnerships with major brands such as Chanel and Tiffany & Co. have also garnered significant media attention.[36] She was included in Maxim's Hot 100 lists in 2021[38] and 2022.[39] According to the public polling website Ranker, Tonkin is the second-most stunning Australian actress.[40]

Tonkin has appeared as the face of New York-based stylist Ilona Hamer's swimwear line "Matteau Swim" from 2015 to 2017,[41] completing 3 seasons with the brand.[42][43][44] She supported the lifestyle clothing line for Witchery in 2015.[45]

In September 2017, Tonkin appeared in the ad campaign "Journey To The Wild Side" for Smythson to promote their latest product range.[46]

Tonkin is a Chanel brand ambassador.[2] For the April 2018 issue of Vogue Australia, Tonkin underwent another photoshoot in partnership with Chanel makeup director Lucia Pica.[47] She was revealed in September 2018 as one of nine women taking part in a digital campaign for Chanel's Gabrielle line of products.[48]

In October 2020, Tonkin launched her own clothing brand "Lesjour!", a sustainable loungewear brand which Tonkin describes as being inspired by the leisure suit of the 70's and California living. Tonkin cited that the clothing brand was the reason she relocated permanently from New York back to LA - where the brand was designed, manufactured using EcoVero, and ships from. Tonkin stated that she'd had the idea for a clothing brand for two years, and decided to launch it as her job as an actress was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[49][50][51]

Advocacy

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In 2012, Tonkin opened a website about health with friend Teresa Palmer called Your Zen Life. In June 2015, Tonkin announced she was stepping down from her involvement in the site due to work commitments.[52]

Other appearances

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Tonkin appeared in the music video for Miles Fisher's 2011 single "Don't Let Go".[53]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Tomorrow, When the War Began Fiona Maxwell
2012 Bait 3D Jaime
2014 The Ever After Mabel [54]
2016 Billionaire Ransom Amy Tilton Originally titled Take Down[55]
Cul-de-Sac Mom Short film[56]
2018 Final Stop The Girl Short film[57][58]
2019 The Place of No Words Phoebe [59]
2020 Furlough N/A Short film; director, writer[60][61]
2022 We Are Gathered Here Today Brenda Stone [62]
Babylon Jane Thornton [63]
2023 Transfusion Justine [64]
2024 Night Shift Gwen Taylor [65][66]
2024 And On The Eighth Day TBA [67][68]
2024 Kid Snow Sunny [69]


Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2006–2010 H2O: Just Add Water Cleo Sertori Main role
2009–2010 Packed to the Rafters Lexi 3 episodes
2010 Home and Away Adrian Hall Recurring role, 7 episodes
2011–2012 The Secret Circle Faye Chamberlain Main role
2012–2013 The Vampire Diaries Hayley Marshall Recurring role (season 4), 8 episodes
2013–2018 The Originals Hayley Marshall-Kenner Main role
2015 Stalker Nicole Clark Episode: "My Hero"[70]
2017 Pillow Talk Sonja Episode: "Rabbit Hole"
2018 Safe Harbour Olivia Gallagher Miniseries[19][20]
These New South Whales Herself Web series; episode: "Round The Twist"[71] (cameo)
The Affair Delphine Episode: 405[23][24]
2019–2020 Bloom Young Gwen Reid Web series[26][72]
2020 Westworld Penny Episodes: "Parce Domine",[73] "The Mother of Exiles"[74]
2024 Boy Swallows Universe Frances Bell Main role[75]
TBA The Dark Lake Gemma Woodstock Main role and exec producer[76]

Other performances

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  • Music video: "Don't Let Go" (2012) by Miles Fisher, as Female lead
  • Podcast: The Foxes of Hydesville (2023), as Adelaide Granger[30]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year of ceremony Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Australian Film Institute 2008 Best Actress in a Drama Series H2O: Just Add Water Nominated [3]
Hang on to Your Shorts Film Festival 2017 Best Actress in a Short Film (Medium) Cul-de-Sac Nominated
Northeast Film Festival 2017 Best Actress in a Short Film Cul-de-Sac Nominated
Equity Ensemble Awards 2019 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Miniseries of Telemovie Safe Harbour Nominated
Logie Awards 2024 Best Lead Actress in a Drama Boy Swallows Universe Nominated

Notes

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  1. ^ This information is referenced in the "fashion" section of this article.

References

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  1. ^ "16 Things You Didn't Know About Phoebe Tonkin from "The Originals"". Seventeen. Hearst Corporation. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Marriner, Cosima (23 March 2018). "'Australian drama is unparalleled': Why Phoebe Tonkin came home for her latest role". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b "L'Oréal Paris 2008 AFI Awards Nominees". Australian Film Institute. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Away From the Bay". Yahoo!7. 10 August 2010. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Australian Television Information Archive: Packed To The Rafters: Cast". Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  6. ^ Thomas Michell (8 October 2018). "Home and Away to Hollywood: Eight Summer Bay alumni making it in Tinseltown". Now To Love. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  7. ^ "High hopes for Tomorrow sequel in Australia". Herald Sun. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  8. ^ Moran, Jonathon (19 June 2011). "Phoebe Tonkin's prime time gig on new TV series The Secret Circle". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  9. ^ Bricker, Tierney (15 March 2011). "'The Secret Circle' finds its Faye: Phoebe Tonkin". Zap2it. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (19 May 2011). "CW Announces 2011-2012 Primetime Sked: 'Ringer' Joins Lineup, 'OTH' To End Run". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  11. ^ Kenneally, Tim (21 July 2011). "'Alcatraz,' 'Person of Interest' bow at Comic-Con". Reuters. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  12. ^ Malcom, Shawna (9 September 2011). "Tonkin no fish out of water on CW's 'Secret Circle'". Variety. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  13. ^ Bricker, Tierney (29 December 2011). "2011 Breakout TV Stars: The Secret Circle's Phoebe Tonkin Bares All (Thanks in Part to a Necklace Shirt)". E!. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  14. ^ West, Kelly (11 May 2012). "The CW Cancels Ringer And Secret Circle, Orders Five Dramas Including Arrow And Carrie Diaries". Cinema Blend. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  15. ^ "Bait (2011) Movie Trailer, Poster: Sharni Vinson, Julian McMahon". Film-book.com. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  16. ^ Bricker, Tierney (7 August 2012). "Vampire Diaries Scoop: The Secret Circle's Phoebe Tonkin Joins the Show". E!. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  17. ^ Bricker, Tierney (11 January 2013). "The Vampire Diaries Spinoff The Originals, Starring Joseph Morgan, in the Works". E!. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  18. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (13 February 2013). "'Vampire Diaries' Spinoff 'The Originals' Adds Claire Holt". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  19. ^ a b "SBS reveals the cast of new drama series Safe Harbour". SBS. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  20. ^ a b Tonkin, Phoebe (4 June 2017). "Olivia ✨ I've accomplished..." Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  21. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (25 October 2019). "International Emmy Awards McMafia Wins Drama Series Prize". Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Safe Harbour nabs International Emmy Award". SBS. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  23. ^ a b Swift, Andy (15 December 2017). "Phoebe Tonkin to Appear in The Affair Season 4, Get Involved With Cole". TVLine. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  24. ^ a b Collins, Sean T. (15 July 2018). "'The Affair' Season 4, Episode 5 Recap: Next Steps". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Aussie Phoebe Tonkin hopes latest role on Safe Harbour leads to more roles at home". The Daily Telegraph. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  26. ^ a b Groves, Don (20 August 2018). "Jacki Weaver, Bryan Brown, Phoebe Tonkin and Ryan Corr star in Stan's 'Bloom'". Inside Film. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Phoebe gets directing bug" – via PressReader.
  28. ^ "Yara Shahidi, Phoebe Tonkin Help Kick Off 2019 Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program". The Hollywood Reporter. 28 October 2019.
  29. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (15 April 2021). "Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris & Madison Hu To Star In Horror Indie 'Night Shift' From Defiant Studios". New York, NY: Penske Media Corporation.
  30. ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (24 February 2023). "Carey Mulligan To Lead Podcast 'The Foxes Of Hydesville' About Sisters Who Claimed They Could Speak To The Dead". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Netflix's 'Boy Swallows Universe': Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker & Phoebe Tonkin to Front Aussie Drama from Brouhaha Entertainment, Anonymous Content & Chapter One". 31 August 2022.
  32. ^ Baker, Jessica (16 January 2024). "Phoebe Tonkin Will Take Your Breath Away in Boy Swallows Universe".
  33. ^ Tauer, Kristen (11 January 2024). "Phoebe Tonkin Explores Trauma and Tenderness in Boy Swallows Universe".
  34. ^ "Sydney Film Festival reveals 2024 competition line-up". Screendaily.
  35. ^ "Kid Snow and You Should Have Been Here Yesterday set for Revelation Film Festival". cinemaaustralia. 8 May 2024.
  36. ^ a b Cassandra Dimitroff (22 November 2023). "All the best style moments from Phoebe Tonkin, from Chanel to Tiffany & Co". Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  37. ^ Madison Campbell; Noni Reginato. "Style File: Phoebe Tonkin". In Style Australia. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  38. ^ ZEYNEP YENISEY (18 June 2021). "MEET THE WOMEN OF THE 2021 MAXIM HOT 100". Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  39. ^ Jordan Riefe; Zeynep Yenisey (20 June 2022). "MEET THE WOMEN OF THE 2022 MAXIM HOT 100". Maxim. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  40. ^ Tanner Arnold (15 December 2023). "The Most Stunning Australian Actresses". Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  41. ^ Izzo, Alison (10 September 2015). "In the Swim: Matteau Swim". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  42. ^ "Summer 2016". Matteau Swim. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  43. ^ "Resort 2016/17". Matteau Swim. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  44. ^ "Summer 2017". Matteau Swim. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  45. ^ O'Neill, Grace (17 August 2015). "Bazaar Exclusive: Phoebe Tonkin X Witchery". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  46. ^ Pentelow, Orla (5 September 2017). "Smythson takes a walk on the wild side". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  47. ^ Rippon, Remy (28 March 2018). "Phoebe Tonkin shows us how to do modern make-up with Chanel Beauty". Vogue Australia. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  48. ^ Schott Ledes, Christine (10 September 2018). "Gabrielle Chanel - The New Digital Campaign". The Beauty Influencers. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  49. ^ "This Hollywood actress used quarantine to create a line of next-level loungewear". Los Angeles Times. 29 October 2020.
  50. ^ Samaha, Barry (29 October 2020). "Phoebe Tonkin Launches Lesjour!, a Fashion Brand Born in the Era of Biz-Leisure". Harper's Bazaar.
  51. ^ "Meet your sustainable, WFH uniform". Lesjour. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  52. ^ Tonkin, Phoebe (9 June 2015). "A Letter From Phoebe..." Your Zen Life. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  53. ^ "Phoebe Tonkin in Miles Fisher's Video "Don't Let Go"". CrowHavenRoad.org. 8 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
  54. ^ Yamato, Jen (22 January 2015). "Teresa Palmer, Mark Webber Star In Self-Distributed 'The Ever After' – Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  55. ^ McNarry, Dave (6 February 2014). "Berlin: Jeremy Sumpter, Phoebe Tonkin Starring in 'Take Down'". Variety. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  56. ^ "Cul-de-Sac". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  57. ^ Boozer Sterling, Alexis. "Nightshooting Nightstalkers". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021 – via Instagram.
  58. ^ "FrightFest 2018 announces record-breaking 19th year line-up". Realm of Horror. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  59. ^ Busch, Anita (8 March 2018). "'Flesh And Blood's Mark Webber Goes Reality Film Route Again With 'Freeka Reeka Sheeka Deeka'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  60. ^ "Phoebe Tonkin makes directorial film debut for 'Furlough'". russh.com. 22 January 2021.
  61. ^ "Raindance Film Festival 2020". Raindance Film Festival. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  62. ^ "We Are Gathered Here Today Featured, Reviews Film Threat". Film Threat. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  63. ^ "Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin, Tobey Maguire Join Damien Chazelle's 'Babylon' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 June 2021.
  64. ^ "Sam Worthington and Phoebe Tonkin to star in Stan Original Film Transfusion" (Press release).
  65. ^ "Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris & Madison Hu to Star in Horror Indie 'Night Shift' from Defiant Studios". Deadline Hollywood. 15 April 2021.
  66. ^ "Quiver Distribution Dates Thriller 'Night Shift' Starring Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris & Madison Hu – Watch The Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. 8 February 2024.
  67. ^ "'And On The Eighth Day': Indie Crime Drama Starring Phoebe Tonkin Wraps Production". Deadline. 27 June 2023.
  68. ^ "Dallas International Film Festival 2024".
  69. ^ "Elle Driver Launches 'Kid Snow' Australian Boxing Drama Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 22 May 2022.
  70. ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (10 December 2014). "Stalker Is Staging a Dawson's Creek Reunion!". E!. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  71. ^ "203: "Round the Twist"". These New South Whales. Comedy Central. 2018. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  72. ^ Spira, Madison (7 November 2018). "A first look at Stan's new series, Bloom". Who. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  73. ^ Dube Dwilson, Stephanie (16 March 2020). "'Westworld' Season 3 Episode 1 Cast: Who Are the Special Guests?". Heavy.com.
  74. ^ "Westworld - Episode 3x04 publicity still of John Gallagher Jr. & Rafi Gavron". MovieStillsDB.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  75. ^ "Netflix's 'Boy Swallows Universe': Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker & Phoebe Tonkin to Front Aussie Drama from Brouhaha Entertainment, Anonymous Content & Chapter One". 31 August 2022.
  76. ^ "Phoebe Tonkin Will Exec Produce And Act In Australian Crime Series 'The Dark Lake'". 6 February 2024.
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