Premiering with a bang in 2010, Tomorrow When The War Began was a must-see film for many Aussie teenagers. Released in the prime era of existential dystopian dramas, the film tapped into the action and adventure genre we were all obsessed with at the time. Not to mention, it boasted an all-star cast of twenty-something heartthrobs.
WATCH: Phoebe Tonkin answers rapid-fire questions
Based on the novel by John Marsden, Tomorrow When The War Began told the story of Ellie Linton and her teenage friends as they waged guerrilla war against an invading foreign power in their hometown of Wirrawee.
Currently streaming on Stan, a whole bunch of people have been re-watching the flick now and reconnecting with the stars of their youth. So, where are the cast of the action film now? Let’s check in with the stars…
Caitlin Stasey (Ellie Linton)
Starring as the lead character Ellie, Caitlin was already a household name in Australia thanks to her roles as Francesca Thomas on The Sleepover Club and Rachel Kinski on Neighbours.
Following TWTWB, Caitlin continued working as an actress in Australia and Hollywood and went on to star in Please Like Me alongside comedian Josh Thomas from 2013 to 2016, crime drama APB in 2017 and most recently comedy series Bridge And Tunnel alongside Ed Burns in 2021. Now, she’s signed on to Amazon Prime Original series Class of ’07 alongside Emily Browning and Megan Smart (which you can stream here when it eventually drops).
Phoebe Tonkin (Fiona Maxwell)
Another well-known face before the film hit theatres, Phoebe had starred as Cleo in the coming-of-age mermaid series H20: Just Add Water. Following on from the film, Phoebe appeared as Adrian Hall on Home and Away and Faye Chamberlain in The Secret Circle before moving over to Hollywood.
In Tinseltown, Phoebe made a name for herself as Hayley Marshall in The Vampire Diaries and spin-off series The Originals, before roles in The Affair, Safe Harbour and Bloom. Recently returning to Australia for the 2021 AACTA Awards, Phoebe’s next big move is an Australian film called Transfusion with Sam Worthington.
“I’m excited, it was so lovely to come back,” Phoebe told WHO. “It was a bit of a weird time because it was just when lockdowns were starting again in Sydney, but I was really, really grateful that I still got to film and to be part of that movie.
“It was wonderful, it was such a beautiful film.”
Deniz Akdeniz (Homer Yannos)
Tomorrow When The War Began was the first major acting credit for Deniz, though he went on to star in some pretty incredible roles over the years.
He’s had roles in American TV shows including South Beach, Graceland, Jessie, Jane The Virgin, Once Upon A Time, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Magnum P.I. and Siren. Most recently, the actor picked up the role of Max in the Kaley Cuoco series The Flight Attendant – which was just nominated for several awards at the 2021 Golden Globes.
Rachel Hurd-Wood (Corrie Mackenzie)
She rose to fame as the doe-eyed Wendy to Jeremy Sumpter’s Peter Pan in the 2003 film, later joining Aussie stars in Tomorrow When The War Began. Since then she’s appeared in British series like Clique and Home Fires, along with movies including The Mapmaker and Highway To Dhampus.
She’s also spent the past few years taking on a new role, as a mother to two children who she shares with her husband of four years, Russ Bain.
“Day out with the family. Still unsure how to adult despite being married mum of two… it just seems to be happening?” she wrote on a recent Instagram post. “I do know that these people are my top priority and I love them like crazy.”
Chris Pang (Lee Takkam)
Following his first major role in TWTWB 11 years ago, Chris is now well on his way to becoming a Hollywood heartthrob with enviable roles in major films. He played the groom-to-be Colin in Crazy Rich Asians, Johnny in Charlie’s Angels and starred as Trevor in the Andy Samberg comedy Palm Springs. Next up, he’ll be starring in a currently untitled Adele Lim project, Underdog Rising, Hitwoman’s Revenge and Amazon Prime’s As We See It.
Lincoln Lewis (Kevin Holmes)
The actor was fresh off his three year arc as Geoff Campbell on Home and Away when Tomorrow When The War Began, following up the roles with a series of gigs on Australian TV. He played Bruce Higgs in Underbelly, Dominic Emmerson in House Husbands and Chook in Gallipoli.
Taking a break from 2016 to 2019, Lincoln returned to the screen with a role alongside Aussies Luke Bracey and Travis Fimmel in Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan. He then tried his hand at horror with a role opposite John Jarratt in 2021 film The Possessed.
Ashleigh Cummings (Robyn Mathers)
After playing Ali Edmonds on Home and Away and Robyn on Tomorrow When The War Began, Ashleigh took on a gig in the classic Aussie teen show Puberty Blues. Playing Debbie Vickers for two years, she then went on to star in Gallipoli, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Westside and The Goldfinch, alongside Nicole Kidman.
The actress then landed a leading role opposite Zachary Quinto in the vampire series NOS4A2 – which wrapped after two seasons in 2020 – and is currently filming crime series Citadel alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Richard Madden and Stanley Tucci. Things are looking good for the star as she continues to take on Hollywood!
Andy Ryan (Chris Lang)
He played the stoner Chris who was so baked he barely even noticed a war raging in the outside world. Since then, Andy has enjoyed varied roles in everything from Rake to Janet King and Mr Inbetween.
But fans will most likely remember Andy from his performance as Simon Bowditch in Love Child, playing the love interest to Miranda Tapsell’s Martha Tennant.
Tomorrow When The War Began is currently streaming on Stan.
Wondering where the rest of your favourite Aussie stars are now? We’ve got you covered!
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