Miranda Otto & Hazem Shammas - THE CLEARING - Actors

This chat I am joined by actors ‘Mirranda Otto’ and ‘Hazem Shammas.' We unpack their latest roles in 'Disney +' first Australian scripted drama series called ‘The Clearing' which starts today on 'Disney +.'

“The Clearing” is an eight-part psychological thriller based on the best-selling crime novel ‘In The Clearing’, which is inspired by the darkness of real-life-cults in Australia and around the world.

Filmed across Victoria, “The Clearing” is an emotional and psychological thriller that follows the nightmares of a cult and a woman who’s forced to face the demons from her past in order to stop the kidnapping and coercion of innocent children in the future.  

The limited series stars Australia actress ‘Miranda Otto.’

(‘Miranda’ is the daughter of actors ‘Barry’ and ‘Lindsay Otto’ and the paternal half-sister of Australian Film maker ‘Gracie Otto.’ Who is one of the directors of ‘The Clearing.’ ‘Miranda’ is one of Australia’s most successful actresses to work internationally and it is fantastic to see her back in Australia - telling this story for ‘Disney +.’)

Actor ‘Hazem Shammas’ joins her in the series.

(‘Hazem’ is a Palestinian Australian actor. He won the 2018 ‘Logie Award’ for Most Outstanding Supporting actor for 'Safe Harbour' and has gone on to star in ‘The Twelve’ for ‘Foxtel’ and ‘After the Verdict’ for ‘Channel Nine.’) 

It is exciting to talk to them both in this interview about their characters and how this show came together.

• I will ask ‘Miranda Otto’ why this series didn’t use the names of the real life cult called ‘The Family’ considering it is so close to that particular crime in Melbourne.
• ‘Hazem Shammas’ will talk about his joy working with ‘Miranda Otto' and we will unpack a fantastic piece of improvisation that occurred in one scene which really displayed their roles of good and evil.
• We will discuss the power of manipulation with ‘Miranda Otto’ and find our why ‘Hazem Shammas’ thinks true crime is so popular at the moment, 

Plus we will ALSO get plenty of exclusives from behind the scenes of ’The Clearing’ which as I mentioned starts today on ‘Disney +. ‘

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