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Michala Elizabeth Laurinda Banas (born 14 November 1978) is a New Zealand television actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Marissa Taylor in Always Greener and as Kate Manfredi in McLeod's Daughters.

Life and career

Born in Wellington, New Zealand into a family of New Zealand, English and Scottish descent, Michala starred in her first advert at only 18 months of age.

Her debut film performance was when she was five years old, in the New Zealand film Dangerous Orphans. Her Australian debut television performance was as Louisa in the miniseries Mirror, Mirror in 1995.

From 2001 to 2003, Banas played main character Marissa Taylor in the Seven Network drama Always Greener.

In 2002, she had a small role in the film adaptation Scooby-Doo.

Banas is an accomplished singer, and in 2003 released a single, "Kissin' The Wind", which made the top 30 on the Australian Recording Industry Association singles chart.

In 2004, Banas joined the cast of McLeod's Daughters as the character Kate Manfredi, the best friend of Jodi Fountain McLeod. She played Kate from episodes 88 to 170, when she took a short break to later return in episode 177. It was announced in 2007 that she would leave McLeod's Daughters in its final season. Banas' last episode was aired in early December 2008.

From 11 November 2008, Banas appeared in the role of Libby Kennedy on the Australian soap opera Neighbours for a five-week period after Kym Valentine was forced to take a temporary break due to illness.

In 2009, Banas filled in for Fox FM's Jo Stanley on The Matt and Jo Show while Stanley was on maternity leave. That same year saw her star in the Australian national tour of the Broadway musical, Avenue Q, playing the roles of "Kate Monster" and "Lucy the Slut". Banas was one of three celebrity faces for Proactiv Solution in Australia and New Zealand.

Banas had a guest role as Tiffany Turner on the drama series Winners & Losers, and a supporting role on ABC3 teen drama Nowhere Boys as Phoebe. In 2013, Banas starred in the ABC comedy series Upper Middle Bogan as Amber Wheeler. The series had run for three seasons.

In 2019, Banas begun serving as an intimacy coordinator for television projects, a coordinator is used in scenes where two actors/actresses are preparing to be intimate and the coordinator makes sure that both people are comfortable with what is about to happen.

In June 2019, it was announced that Banas would appear in the sitcom Fam Time which was originally intended to broadcast on the Seven Network in 2020, however was indefinitely shelved until June 2024, when it was announced it would be released on 7plus on 11 July 2024. In 2020, she joined the filming for Halifax: Retribution and has since appeared in several other projects including ABC's Turn Up The Volume and Gold Diggers.

On 23 September 2024, Banas would join Jo Stanley in the women led radio station Broad Radio as a co-host.

Filmography

Film

Television

Self appearances / interviews

source:

Theatre

Discography

Singles

References

1. ^ Lowie (20 September 2010). "Michala Banas confirms role on new drama". Media Spy. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
2. Byrne, Fiona (10 August 2008). "Kym Valentine: I had no idea I was so ill". Herald Sun. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
3. "What it means to be an 'Intimacy Coordinator' in film and TV". honey.nine.com.au. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
4. Knox, David (6 June 2019). "Seven announces new sitcom, Fam Time". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
5. "Seven Studios' New Comedy Fam Time". 7Plus. Seven West Media. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
6. Knox, David (26 June 2024). "Fam Time sitcom to (finally) screen on 7Plus". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
7. "Michala Banas on finally playing a detective on TV in Halifax: Retribution". www.nine.com.au. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
8. Stigell, Fredrika (22 September 2024). "Former Radio Host Jo Stanley Launches Broad Radio, Scaling Up Radio Offering For Women". B&T. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
9. "Australian Television: Halifax Retribution: cast". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
10. "Airdate: Turn Up The Volume | TV Tonight". 27 February 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
11. says, Chuck128 (8 March 2023). "Cameras roll on Gold Diggers for ABC | TV Tonight". Retrieved 9 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
12. Groves, Don (5 June 2019). "Michala Banas, Benson Jack Anthony and Duncan Fellows wrestle with 'Fam Time'". IF Magazine. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
13. Release, Media (13 May 2021). "Eddie Perfect, Michala Banas and Nazeem Hussain special guests this weekend on SPICKS AND SPECKS". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
14. "Showcast". app.showcast.com.au. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
15. Blake, Jason (26 October 2023). "The Memory of Water (Ensemble Theatre)". Limelight. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
16. On, Thuy (28 June 2021). "Theatre Review: The Truth, MTC". www.artshub.com.au. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
17. Peard, Anne-Marie (12 November 2016). "The Odd Couple is an odd choice". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
18. "Michala Banas - Australian chart history". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved September 23, 2008.

External links

• Michala Banas at IMDb
• Michala Banas management

• 1978 births
• Living people
• Helpmann Award winners
• Actresses from Wellington City
• New Zealand television actresses
• New Zealand people of German descent
• 21st-century New Zealand women singers
• Naturalised citizens of Australia