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Joining the high-energy world of Outer Banks, Australian actress Mia Challis is making waves as Ruthie, a character as bold as she is controversial—and definitely one who fans won’t forget anytime soon.
With her Aussie roots adding a unique flair to the cast and part two of season 4 on the horizon, Mia chatted with WHO about diving into the complex role, *that* memorable turtle scene that left fans reeling, and how she bonded with co-star Austin North.
Congratulations on Outer Banks! Can you tell us a bit about your audition process for Ruthie and what attracted you to the role?
Mia: I actually auditioned for the show a year prior for a different role, so I was familiar with the team, so I was like, alright, I’ll give this character a go. She [Ruthie] was very spicy from the start so it was a very fun audition process. I put down a tape, got a callback, did another scene, and then I got a chemistry read with Austin North, who plays Topper on the show – Ruthie’s boyfriend, so to speak. I just hit it off with everyone and had so much fun. And then I got cast right after the strike…They had said they liked me, but no one was working so I didn’t know if I was still going to have a job, I just had no idea. And then, pretty much, like, two days after the strike I got the call and I was in South Carolina filming pretty much the next week,
What was it like joining such an established cast? It must be different joining a show ahead of its fourth season.
M: It’s always fun coming onto a set that’s already built. You’re kind of coming on and just adding something to it, which is exciting. I was obviously nervous because it’s such an amazing cast and crew. But meeting them, it was instantly like, ‘Okay, I feel comfortable.’ The set is so free, there’s so much improvisation…I just felt welcomed straight away and it was so much fun.
It’s such an established production that has so many fans and this is the biggest thing that I’ve ever been a part of, so that is, in itself, quite wild. I’m just very grateful and lucky to be amongst such great people and doing what I love every day, and playing crazy characters like Ruthie is just so fun. I had a ball and I feel very grateful.
And obviously, Ruthie is quite the character. Were you expecting the intense fan reaction online?
I mean, I guess yes, because Ruthie is wild, to put it mildly. The fans have been surprisingly so supportive of me. They’re like, ‘We hate Ruthie, but we love Mia.’ That’s so nice because I know it sometimes can be hard to separate the character from the actor, but they’ve just been so supportive of me, which is lovely. But they should definitely not like Ruthie, that’s kind of the point. So I think I must be doing an all right job – if they dislike her, I’ve done my part.
We have to talk about the turtle scene…what were your first thoughts when you read that script?
So sad! Oh my gosh, Madison [Bailey] and I are in that scene, and Madison, she’s holding like a fake dead turtle, which is obviously so heartbreaking, but when you’re filming these heavy scenes, sometimes, behind the scenes, it’s surprisingly light, because you’re with your friends, and you’re doing this thing, and it’s freezing cold. So it was wild and fun, but it was also so sad to look at the baby turtle and think, Ruthie has done this. I had to switch off my Mia brain and be Ruthie. She doesn’t care, but inside, I was dying.
Fans have only watched part one of the new season. What can they expect from part two?
It’s pretty much 10 times more intense than what happened in part one. It’s more adventure, more shocking… it’s quite intense but it’s great fun.
We also have to talk about the fact that you’re a Perth Girl! It’s something a lot of Aussie fans may have not realised.
It’s kind of wild because I stay mostly in my American accent in between takes to not sound Australian. But a lot of people didn’t realise even on set. I think it’s so fun because it’s so similar, the beaches in Wilmington where we filmed have such an Australian vibe to them, so it was fun and really cool.
And how was it working at Austin North?
He’s such a professional, and he’s just so kind. As soon as I met him on the chemistry read, I knew we would get along great. He was so great and was very supportive of the process because Outer Banks is one of those shows that’s just such a different filming experience. You have five cameras on you at all times, so it can be quite overwhelming but he really just took me through it step by step. He was a real champion and a great colleague.
So what’s next?
I just filmed a movie in Houston, which was really fun. I also actually filmed in Adelaide, which is so crazy…it was a horror film which was very fun, but very different to Outer Banks. I did a horror film in Kentucky, of all places, as well last year. I’ve got a lot of things coming out!
