australian television information archive

Michala Banas rides off into sunset

THERE'S no denying the resilience of McLeod's Daughters. Channel 9's six-year-old drama has been holding its own in the ratings, despite a string of regular cast members quitting the show.

Aaron Jeffery, Rachael Carpani, Zoe Naylor, Jonny Pasvolsky and Dustin Clare have left recently, with Jeffery saying he felt exhausted and unhappy with the series' direction.

Michala Banas is the latest cast member to announce she's moving on, though, unlike Jeffery, she says she will miss life in rural South Australia where the series is filmed.

"After nearly four years I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave," she says.

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities McLeod's has given me as an actor and I will miss the show dearly.

"I have loved working with such a fantastic cast and crew. I would especially like to thank the fans of the show, who have shown my character, Kate, such support over the years.

"Kate will still be working hard at Drovers Run until 2008."

After a production break, Banas returned to the Gawler set of the show on July 30. She will film her final scenes in a month.

Executive producer Karl Zwicky says: "It's been a privilege to see Michala mature on screen so wonderfully and for her character, Kate, to grow from eccentric and comic to one that's really complex and satisfying -- funny by turns and then tragic.

"Kate won't be leaving the series until next year, so we'll have plenty of time to continue to enjoy her."

By Darren Devlyn
August 08, 2007
Herald Sun