Death down under

Death down under

As I delve into the vibrant and captivating journey of actress Lara Cox, I am struck by her remarkable resilience, adaptability, and insatiable thirst for adventure. Born to a family that traversed the globe, Lara’s life has been a beautiful tapestry of diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, each stitch enriching her spirit and broadening her horizons.


Add Return to Paradise to your watchlist

The long-running series, “Death in Paradise,” has captivated audiences for 13 years. Its combination of idyllic white-sand beaches, sparkling blue seas, intense sunlight, and swiftly resolved crimes seems to have struck a winning formula. Since there’s no need to change what isn’t broken, it makes sense to capitalize on this success even more. Hence, we welcome “Return to Paradise.

In this new version, Guadeloupe is swapped with Australia and the island of St Marie transforms into the peaceful, captivating coastal town called Dolphin Cove. Just as expected, it’s a feast for armchair travelers – a beautiful collage of filming locations that stretch from Sydney’s northern beaches all the way to the magical sceneries of the Illawarra region.

Death down under

In the expansive collection of unconventional detectives in the “Paradise” series, we introduce DI Mackenzie Clarke – a socially awkward yet intellectually gifted character. Having served with the Metropolitan Police, DI Clarke decides to leave London and return to her coastal hometown, Dolphin Cove. This move brings her into contact with remnants of her past (an old love, her previous job, small-town rumors). Taking on the role of the first female lead in a cherished series might seem daunting for some, but Anna Samson, radiating as vividly as the Australian sun, appears more than capable to shoulder this responsibility. The 34-year-old expresses her enthusiasm by stating, “Death in Paradise is one of the most successful shows in Australia.” She was initially drawn to it because, without losing its charm, it reminds her of a simpler era in television that aimed to amuse and provide escape rather than inflict trauma. In a world that can often be harsh and grim, she finds the show’s softer, warmer, and kind-hearted nature very appealing. Despite Mackenzie’s sharp and tough exterior, she exists within a gentle TV landscape.

When I was three I saw Oliver! I haven’t been the same since

Originally from Britain, Samson started life in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. However, during her young years, she and her nurse mother moved to Nigeria, following her civil engineer father who was constructing a dam there. Her childhood was split between Nigeria and London, where her grandparents resided.

Death down under

Growing up, my grandparents often brought me to the West End area in England, which sparked my passion for live performances at an early age. When I was just three years old, I watched a production of Oliver! at the London Palladium, with Ron Moody, and it left such an impact on me that I’ve never been the same since. This experience ignited my love for theater, and from then on, I dreamed of becoming a part of this captivating world – which eventually led to the beginning of my career in the entertainment industry.

Is it true that they’ve been supportive of her career decisions?” could be paraphrased as “Did they approve and encourage her professional choices?” or “Have they backed and endorsed her career path?

Death down under

In her adolescence, Samson relocated to Australia as her father established a business, marking the start of her journey into acting. She attended a renowned performing arts high school and later continued her education at a distinguished drama school in Melbourne, where she honed her craft.

Mackenzie can be acerbic, but she lives in a soft TV world

During my youth, we journeyed extensively. Nowadays, I continue to traverse various lands – it’s an integral aspect of my existence. I have an unquenchable thirst for adventure. The experiences garnered from visiting diverse regions have significantly enriched me as a person. Although I possess a beautiful abode in Sydney, London holds a special place in my heart; I frequently visit it about twice yearly. I can’t imagine settling down permanently somewhere and not venturing forth again. Being a stage actor feels like embarking on an endless circus tour.

Samson has built a thriving acting career on stage, and some audience members might remember her from her role as Mia Anderson in “Home and Away.” As an English actress, she’s secretly dreamt of portraying a detective for the BBC. She adores the genre, whether it’s classic literature like Agatha Christie or modern TV crime dramas. She appreciates its allure and knows how it functions. When the audition for “Return to Paradise” presented itself, she felt confident that she could contribute something unique.

Death down under

As a passionate cinephile, stepping into the role of the first female detective in “Paraverse” was undeniably a daunting task. The weight of following in the footsteps of renowned British male actors must have been immense, yet exhilarating at the same time. I couldn’t possibly replicate their performances; I am unique, and that’s what makes me the right choice for this role. The thought of being the first female detective in such a successful franchise can be overwhelming, but when the camera is rolling, all that matters is delivering an authentic performance scene by scene.

To me, swapping the gender of the detective character doesn’t fundamentally alter the essence of the show. In fact, relocating the story in Australia has a greater impact on its identity than having a female protagonist. I’m incredibly proud and thrilled beyond belief to be portraying Mackenzie.

As a supporter, I’d say: While DI Clarke undoubtedly shines when it comes to solving puzzles and excelling as a mathematician, her skills don’t automatically translate into empathy or understanding human emotions. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to unintentional offenses due to her difficulty in reading social cues. However, despite these shortcomings, she is a strong female character who possesses a deep-rooted confidence in both herself and the world around her.

There’s pressure and joy taking over from male British actors

According to Samson, Mackenzie doesn’t seem to care much about being liked by others, which he finds intriguing. Unlike many of us, Mackenzie doesn’t feel the need to seek approval or form connections with people and communities, but this is something that most individuals require. However, it’s not necessary for everyone to be well-liked by everyone else. During my time portraying her character, I discovered that Mackenzie is not a people-pleaser; instead, she’s someone who doesn’t prioritize being agreeable or acceptable to others. It was like a burden lifted off my shoulders when I could put aside the part of myself that strives for acceptance and play her authentic character.

DI Clarke’s mind is always in motion, always working on unraveling mysteries and fitting together the missing puzzle pieces. In a sense, the lives of detectives and actors might not be so different from each other, making one ponder if they ever manage to achieve a balance between work and personal life?

“Life is bigger than just your career. Having things that ground you, things that give you joy – they end up making your work better. I’m certainly not playing a character that has any work-life balance. But, I love my life outside of acting – my family, my friends, travel, writing. I’m currently doing a master’s in literature at Sydney University. I’m curious and I love learning. When I was shooting this show, I had zero work-life balance – but it’s only for three months and I wanted to dedicate myself to it. And then, I get the time to do something else.”

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2024-11-15 22:34