Nicole Chamoun on diversity in Australian casting

Melbourne-based actress Nicole Chamoun has been commended for playing strong women on Australian TV and the 31-year-old tells WHO she doesn’t plan on stopping.

“I love the Australian industry – we’re producing some really solid work,” she says. “Especially for women at the moment.”

Compared to what we often see in Australian dramas, you have a unique look. What have you come up against in the casting process?

Acting is a tough gig regardless of what you look like. I don’t know whether it’s harder for me because I don’t have typical blonde hair, blue eyes.

All I know is that I’m really grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and I hope now that I’m producing some solid work that people’s minds will be open and they will be open to casting me in roles that are not directly related to my ethnic heritage and background.

I’d like to be seen as the lover, the doctor, the lawyer, the best friend, regardless of where the character is from.

Do you think we need to see more diversity on Australian TV?
Of course! But it shouldn’t even be about that – it’s just about having a true representation on our screens of what our streets look like.

And having it be diverse and not shining a spotlight on the fact that you have an Indian character or a Muslim character or whatever, but just recognising that it is part of our society and that’s the right actor and the right character for the story and that’s it. It’s simple.