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Leonie Whyman strikes gold with new series

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Newcastle-raised actor Leonie Whyman is proud to be lending her talents to what she calls a “very true and raw story”.

The former My Place lead is a part of the cast of SBS’ latest historical drama New Gold Mountain.

The show explores the untold story of the Australian gold rush and the Chinese miners who risked everything for a chance at unlikely fortune in a new land.

Inspired by real life events, the series follows a group of characters brought together by a mysterious murder.

Whyman plays Hattie, a young Aboriginal girl who is trying to get by.

“Hattie, she is very strong and independent but she is quite innocent,” Whyman said.

“You can tell she has been through a lot, she’s lost her mother and kind of lost her people.

“So, she is a bit of a lost soul, but she gets by and tries to make do with what she has.”

For Whyman, being a part of the cast was incredible.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said.

“It is such an important story, it’s set in the gold rush times and is inspired by real life and what happened.

“It’s from the perspective of the Chinese miners which I think is very special.

“There is a lot of hidden history that people don’t talk about.

“SBS have this way of being very truthful and they really highlight the perspectives of all Australians, they don’t sugar-coat anything, they are very raw and very true, and it makes amazing television.

“So, you know that New Gold Mountain is going to be phenomenal.”

Joining Whyman in the stellar cast are Yosan An (Mulan), Alyssa Sutherland (Vikings), Christopher James Baker (True Detective), Dan Spielman (The Code), Mabel Li (The Tailings), Sam Wang (Runaway Millionaires), Rhys Muldoon (House Husbands), Alison Bell (The Letdown), Chris Masters Mah (Underbelly Files: Chopper) and Travis Cotton (Romper Stomper).

“After I found out a few of the names I would be working with I was fangirling a little bit,” Whyman said

“It was very exciting.”

Despite leaving Newcastle to pursue her dreams, the creative says she is proud to represent the region on the big screen.

“It is very special,” she said.

“I feel very proud to come from a small city, Newcastle will always have a spot in my heart.”

Aside from acting, Whyman also has a passion for art, music, and dance.

She was a student at the Hunter School of Performing Arts which was the place that helped launch her career.

Whyman was awarded the role in My Place after the coordinator of her dance group encouraged her to audition. 

“I think as a kid I just wanted to have a very simple life, but I guess I wasn’t destined for it,” she said.

“I’ve always been an artsy person; I love art in all categories.

“Even as a kid I had quite the imagination, being an only child, I played pretend a lot so maybe that was my destiny coming out.

“I feel very blessed that I can be creative and do this for my career.”

For anyone dreaming of joining the entertainment industry, Whyman believes you should take the leap.

“Just do it, I think a lot of people can hold onto the fear of the unknown,” she said.

“I have been a bit like that myself but start saying yes to all the opportunities and educate yourself, if you have a fire there just go for it.”

New Gold Mountain premieres on Wednesday 13 October at 9.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. The four-part series will air over two weeks.

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