ALUMNI

Ashleigh Brewer

The Bold and The Beautiful (USA)

Ashleigh has trained exclusively at Film & Television Studio International since we opened our doors in Brisbane in 1998.  She was one of our very first students.  Ashleigh was trained, mentored and managed by Craig and Dominique McMahon (Founders of McMahon Management and Film & Television Studio International) throughout her primary and high school years in Brisbane.  After winning roles on various TV shows throughout that time, she then had the opportunity to audition for the series regular role of Kate Ramsay on Neighbours. She was cast by the wonderful Jan Russ and relocated to Melbourne to live with Craig and Dominique just after she finished high school.  Ashleigh was very fortunate to have tested for Jan Russ in our Brisbane studio over the years and to be submitted for the Melbourne based role via McMahon Management - Melbourne.  In 2014, after 5 years on the show, Ashleigh and the McMahon Management team decided it was time to move on, and within weeks of landing in Los Angeles, she was signed to one of the most watched shows in the world, being cast as Ivy Forrester in The Bold and the Beautiful.  She continues to star in the iconic show at CBS studios in Hollywood.

Luke Mitchell

Blindspot (USA)

Luke Mitchell is without question an actor that everyone is excited about.  After only 3 weeks of being in Los Angeles Luke landed a starring role in the CW’s new drama series The Tomorrow People, playing John Young, the cool rebel leader with a troubled past who is searching for his place in the world. Originally wanting to be a professional tennis player, Mitchell began his acting career in Melbourne, Australia.  He has trained exclusively at Film & Television Studio International, since the age of seventeen. In his first professional acting role, Mitchell played the part of Chris Knight in the long running soap Neighbours.  He then moved to the Gold Coast, after he was hand-picked to play the lead role, Will Benjamin, in the third series of internationally acclaimed children’s drama series H20: Just Add Water.  Following his impressive start in the Australian Television industry, Mitchell then moved to Sydney to join the main cast of Home and Away playing resident heart-throb, Romeo Smith.  In 2010, he won the Most Popular New Male Talent Logie Award for his portrayal. Mitchell recently played the lead role of Sam in an Independent Movie titled Seven Minutes, which was shot in Seattle, Washington, and then landed the leading role in Members Only,  a prime time Television Series produced by ABC Studios (USA) in conjunction with CBS Television. This 13 part series was created by BAFTA and Oscar nominated writer, Susannah Grant, known for writing the screenplay to the critically acclaimed film Erin Brockovich. Luke starred as a young man from the wrong side of the tracks alongside Breaking Bads Betsy Brandt.  He also starred alongside Susan Sarandon and Sharon Stone in US feature film, Mothers and Daughters.  Most recently, Luke was then been signed as main cast to Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D - series 3 and after finishing up on the series landed a leading role on hit USA NBC drama Blindspot (Season 2).  Luke is now getting ready to commence filming Blindspot (Season 3) in New York.  He is managed by McMahon Management and co-managed internationally by Management 360 and United Talent Agency (UTA). 

Mitchell Ryan

One Tree HIll (USA)

While studying at Film and Television Studio International, Mitchell Ryan guest starred in “City Homicide” in 2007. Soon after packing his bags, LA bound, he won a recurring role on “One Tree Hill” on the CW Network. Mitch played Alexander, a handsome ‘pro surfer-turned-young mogul’. Since then, Mitchell has gone on to star in the ABC family series “The Lying Game”; “The Mentalist” and feature films “Missionary” and “Cabin Fever: Patient Zero”.

Andrew Morley

Neighbours

In 2010 after being discovered by Craig McMahon (McMahon Management) & beginning his training at Film & Television Studio International, Andrew successfully landed the lead role of Brandon in Lightning Point and relocated to the Gold Coast to commence filming for seven months. When filming concluded, Andrew headed back to the farm to finish his degree and continue his actor training at Film and Television Studio International in The Foundation Year Program. He was soon faced with a big decision, a full time job at an engineering firm in Melbourne or the role of Spencer on Home and Away. Being a huge Home and Away fan, Andrew packed his bags and headed for sunny Summer Bay. After his leading role on Home and Away, Andrew returned to Melbourne in November 2015, where he auditioned and won another series regular role (Jack Callahan), this time on long running iconic Australian series, Neighbours.

Esther Anderson

Gold Logie Nominee

Esther Anderson was recently seen in NBC’s “Siberia”. Esther grew up in Geelong, Victoria and always knew she wanted to be a performer. Esther has seen much of the world through working as a model as she was based in Japan for six years, during that time traveling between Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Korea and Europe for work. Esther started on screen in Japan and whilst doing commercials decided she would set her sights on acting and presenting and moved back to Melbourne to take acting courses including programs ran at Film and Television Studio International. At the start of 2007, Esther landed a gig with the local Victorian travel show “Postcards”. After a year in that role, she had the chance to audition for “Home and Away”. From the first audition to moving into Summer Bay was a whirlwind, finding out she had the role of Charlie on a Monday, and four days later starting in Sydney. Esther says, "I have always wanted to be part of the show and when I found out I had role I was in complete shock". For her Role on "Home and Away" Esther was nominated for 2 Gold Logies and 2 Silver. 

Chris Milligan

Neighbours; Dead Gorgeous

Following high school, Chris Milligan undertook classes exclusively at Film & Television Studio International in Brisbane. Eventually Chris decided to try his luck in Melbourne and scored a lead role in the BBC/ABC co-production Dead Gorgeous, a guest role in The Pacific and has featured in and number of national commercials. The 24-year-old joined Neighbours in a recurring guest role as the loveable Kyle Canning in 2009. Positive viewer feedback to the character resulted in Milligan becoming a regular cast member at the start of 2011. In 2013 and 2014 he was nominated as most outstanding television star by UK Inside Soap Magazine. After playing Kyle for the past 6 years, Chris decided it was time to move on in late 2015 and now resides in Los Angeles where he is managed by one of Hollywood’s leading managers Gabriel Cohen of Management 360, together with CEO Craig McMahon of McMahon Management.  Chris has just recently been in cast in US feature film and will commence filming shortly.

Gemma Forsyth

Mako Mermaids

Gemma studied at Film & Television Studio International in Brisbane for many years before going on to win roles on The Sleepover Club, H20 Just Add Water - Series 3, Mortified, Sea Patrol and Slide. She is currently starring as Evie on Mako Mermaids.

Lester Ellis Jr

Ja'mie: Private School Girl

Former champion boxer turned actor, Lester Ellis first started training exclusively at Film & Television Studio International in 2011.  After graduating from the Professional (Full-Time) Acting for Television Program, Lester guest starred in ABC children’s drama “The Nowhere Boys” - Series 1 & 2. However, It was his role starring alongside Chris Lilley in “Ja’mie: Private School Girl” that brought Lester to the public eye, undertaking roles in “Fat Tony & Co: The Tony Mokbel Story”, "The Dr Blake Murder Mysteries" and “Wentworth” thereafter. Currently, Lester is in pre-production for "The Sunshine Kid" and has been signed with one of the worlds renowned powerhouse agencies WME – William Morris Endeavour. Lester is represented by Brandt Joel and Duncan Millership who’s clients jointly include: Justin Timberlake, Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ryan Phillippe to name a few. 

Taylor Glockner

Neighbours; Conspiracy 365

Only 9 days after graduating from the Professional (Full-Time) Acting for Television Program at Film and Television Studio International, Taylor moved straight to Melbourne from Brisbane to take a co-starring role in family drama Conspiracy 365. Upon completing work on this series he went on to guest star in ABC comedy The Strange Calls. Soon after, he auditioned for a guest role in Neighbours. So impressed were the producers, they created a series regular role for Taylor playing Mason Turner. Taylor left Neighbours in 2013 and will soon be seen in Mako Mermaids - series 2 and upcoming Australian feature film No Two Snowflakes. After securing representation in the US, the best is yet to come from Taylor.  He now lives in Los Angeles.

Meghan O'Shea

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Meg joined the Professional (Full-Time) Acting for Television Program at Film and Television Studio International shortly after graduating from WAAPA. Meg is an established musical theatre performer who has appeared as Laurey Williams in “Oklahoma”, played Trisha in “A Chorus Line” (TML Enterprises) as well as understudying the roles of Val, Maggie, Connie and Judy. Currently, Meg is a Phantom in the national tour of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, which stars the one and only, Craig McLachlan as Dr Frank-N-Furter. 

Melissa Howard

Dead Gorgeous

Melissa has been training exclusively at Film & Television Studio International since her mid-teens, training with fellow actors Christopher Milligan, Ashleigh Brewer and Luke Mitchell, in our Brisbane Studio. She is best known for her outstanding work playing Rebecca in popular ABC/BBC series "Dead Gorgeous" for which she was an AFI contender for outstanding young actor. Since wrapping on “Dead Gorgeous”, Melissa has gone on to feature in “Winners & Losers”, “TwentySomething”, “Rush” and "Satisfaction", as well as many major national TVC Campaigns.

MAGGIE NAOURI

Joe Cinque’s Consolation

Maggie has recently starred in her feature film debut as the lead role in Sotiris Dounoukos’, Joe Cinque’s Consolation, for which she received a AACTA nomination for Best Actress. She is best known as ‘Rose’ on the second and third series of Foxtel’s critically acclaimed drama series Wentworth. Her other television credits include Channel Ten’s popular series Offspring and Neighbours and SyFy Networks Childhood’s End.  Maggie trained at Film & Television Studio International in our Brisbane Studio and then relocated to Melbourne where she continued to train at our Melbourne studio.

Micheal Doonan

Bates Motel (USA)

Micheal first started training at Film & Television Studio International  in 2010 after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama & Film at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).  Wanting to specialise more in acting for film and television, Michael was successful in obtaining a placement in our Professional (Part-Time) Acting for Television Program. Since completing this program, Micheal got his big break break starring as "Rogers" in Jonathan Teplitzky's feature film "The Railway Man", starring alongside Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman and Jeremy Irvine, which was released in Australia in 2013 and had it's US release in April 2014.  Micheal then went on  to feature in The Doctor Blake Mysteries and ABC mini-series Gallipoli.  He is currently living and auditioning in Canada and has just finished two leading guest roles on Bate’s Motel and American Gothic.

Tahan Lew

Getaway

Tahan Lew started training in our casual programs at Film & Television Studio International in 2012 and then went on to graduate from our Foundation Year Program, alongside fellow graduates Andrew Morley ("Home & Away") & Lester Ellis Jr ("Fat Tony"). Looking for a new adventure Tahan then went on to become a part of the Big Brother 2013 ensemble and was a firm favourite, coming 2nd runner up. Since then, Tahan has been in great demand on the appearance circuit and has just been signed as the new face of the Northern Territory - a major campaign that will see Tahan as a wonderful ambassador for her home state. Tahan continues to train at Film & Television Studio International and will soon appear as a Guest Presenter on "Getaway", while currently auditioning for many fantastic projects.

NICHOLAS DUNN

Strange Calls; Mortified

Nicholas starred alongside Marny Kennedy and our very own Dajana Cahill in the hit Channel 9 drama “Mortified”, whilst training at Film & Television Studio International. Since then, Nicholas took time to focus on his training, graduating from the Professional (Part-Time) Acting for Television Program in our Brisbane studio, alongside our very own Micheal Doonan and starring in the ABC series “The Strange Calls”, alongside fellow graduate Taylor Glockner. After graduation, Nicholas made the move to Melbourne where he continues to train and is coming ever closer to his next starring role.

DAJANA CAHILL

Mortified

Dajana first burst onto our screens as the hilarious & bratty Layla Fry on Channel 9’s hit show “Mortified”, alongside our very own Nicholas Dunn, who played Hector Garcia. Since wrapping on “Mortified”, Dajana went on to star in another Channel 9 Drama, “Sea Patrol” as well as “H20: Just Add Water”.  Dajana is currently still training at Film & Television Studio International to continue furthering her craft in our Foundation Year Program.

Seychelle Brown

Mystery of a Handsom Cab (ABC)

Seychelle starred as Millicent in Network Ten's AFI nominated series “Worst Best Friends”. She then went on to a guest role in “Noah & Saskia” for the ABC, as well as playing Nicholas Bell's daughter in the short film “From the Top”. Recently, Seychelle had a guest role in “Mystery of a Handsom Cab” as well as being a vocalist in the Buddy Holly Concert Tour. Wanting to further explore her craft, Seychelle auditioned for the 2010 intake of the Professional (Full-Time) Acting for Television Program at the Film & Television Studio International and was accepted as a scholarship student. After graduating in 2011, Seychelle joined the team at McMahon Entertainment Group and was the Course Coordinator of the Professional (Full-Time) Acting for Television Programs and The Foundation Year Programs. Having been a student herself, Seychelle understood the demands of a training actor and was instrumental in making their transition into the training environment as seamless as possible.  After many years with McMahon Entertainment Group as an actor, student and employee, Seychelle has since re-located to Los Angeles where she continues to train and pursue an acting career.

ANTHONY DREW

Anthony was also part of the Big Brother 2013 ensemble, alongside fellow student Tahan Lew.  Following this, Anthony pursued a career in modelling which led on to an interest in acting.  Anthony then auditioned for, and won, the scholarship position in the Professional Full Time Acting for Television Program in our Melbourne studio.  Upon completion of this program Anthony went to to further his studies at the studio in the Graduate Program.  He continues to train regularly at Film & Television Studio International while auditioning.