CHARACTERS
CHARACTERS
PRINCIPAL CAST
KAY PARK — Sarah de Possesse
Age: 30’s
Kay is a strong-willed, bookish police investigator. She employs alternative methods of working, which generally yield exceptional results, but tend to annoy fellow workers. Following an earlier failed marriage, she has severe abandonement issues and buries herself in her work. Her closest family member is her Aunty Jina, who lives close by and has an infuriating habit of trying to fix Kay’s personal life. When Arjun’s attack is first reported, Kay is assigned as the lead detective on the case.
• If there are set rules, she will follow them to the book
• Lives with best friend, Finley and Finley’s partner, Skyler
• Pays minimal attention to outward appearance
• Persistently single — prone to bouts of self-pity when at home
• Obsessive workaholic
• Functioning alcoholic
• Suffers panic attacks and recurring flashbacks of a recent near-drowning experience
• Has a quiet outward demeanour and a quirky inner imagination that is brought out when she is with Finley
Sarah de Possesse has won multiple awards for her breakout role as Steph in the international hit series, Starting From…Now (2013–16). Working across film, theatre and TV since 2009, recent credits include Wellmania (Netflix), Pieces of Her (Netflix) and Frayed (ABC).
References:
Park Kyung-Sun — The Fiery Priest
Sarah Linden — The Killing
Kari Sorjosen — Bordertown
Kim Mi-Young — My Fellow Citizens
JESPER BOOLOS — Stephen Mahy
Age: 30’s
A rising star in the state police Special Crimes Unit, Sydney-based Jesper is sent to Coalcliff to expedite the solving of Arjun’s case before the upcoming state election campaign commences. His career is his priority, and he has no qualms with burning relationships to get a step ahead. Jesper is charming and good-looking, and he knows how to use this to get what he wants.
• Brilliant, successful investigator who specialises in violent crimes
• Confident and ambitious
• Avoids commitment — prides himself on never having been in a long-term relationship
• Emotionally unavailable
• Smart
• Witty
• Used to getting his way
• Irritates colleagues with his perceived arrogance
• Thinks outside the box — enjoys ignoring rules
• Surfer and fitness enthusiast
One of Australia’s most prolific musical theatre performers, Stephen Mahy has starred in national tours of Miss Saigon (2007–08), Jersey Boys (2009–11), Grease (2013), The Rocky Horror Show (2015), Mamma Mia! (2017–18), Jekyll and Hyde (2019) and Saturday Night Fever (2019). TV credits include City Homicide and Out Of The Blue.
References:
Stephen Holder — The Killing (US version)
Holden Ford — Mindhunter
Joel Dreyer — Monster
Inspector Moon — Sense8
SERGEANT GARRETT — Simon Elrahi
Age: 50’s–60’s
The sardonic head of the local police station, Sergeant Garrett has held this position for the past 30 years. Born and raised in the area, he has never lived anywhere else, and wouldn’t want to either. He is a fair boss, and places a lot of trust in his team, especially Kay, who he has mentored since she joined the force 10 years ago.
Keen fisherman and bushwalker on Sundays.
• Somewhat beaten down by life
• Wry sense of humour
• Enjoys travelling
• Ex-wife left him 10 years ago for another man, hasn’t dated anyone since
• Loves spicy food and red wine
• Has a great respect for Kay
Simon Elrahi has worked extensively across film, TV and theatre since 1994. Recent acting credits include Alex and Eve, Janet King, The Principal, Australia Day, Preacher, Harrow, Breathless, Street Smart, Fighting Season, Pulse, Deep Water, Unsynched and The Combination Redemption.
Reference:
Martin — The Bridge (Danish version)
AUNTY JINA — Diane Joh
Age: 50’s–60’s
Kay’s divorced aunt, Aunty Jina emigrated to Australia in the 1980s from Korea with her extended family. With Kay’s mum back in Seoul, Aunty Jina sees it as her responsibility to look after Kay’s personal life. Her overbearing interference comes from a place of love. Any Korean bachelor that crosses her path is vetted and groomed to court Kay. Aunty Jina’s excitement reaches sky high when one of her best friends, Seo-Yun, reveals that her handsome son, Jae-Eun, has recently returned to Australia, and is living with her temporarily.
• Very relgious (Catholic)
• Loud and opinionated
• Generous but demanding
• Bit of a stickybeak
• Passionate about gardening and floral arranging
A retired Qantas flight attendant and avid K-drama fan, Diane Joh is Sarah’s actual divorced Korean aunt.
Reference:
Sunja Park — Mother Of Mine
JAE-EUN — Neo Song
Age: 30’s
Jae-Eun is the son of Aunty Jina’s best friend, Seo-Yun. He has recently returned from Korea where he completed a Masters degree in Architecture. Jae-Eun is staying at his mother’s place while he looks for a graduate job.
• Amateur magician
• Earnestly looking for love
• Takes himself a bit too seriously
• Pays attention to fashion and personal grooming
• Has a high respect for his elders
Born and raised in South Korea, Neo Song began his career as a magician, dancer and actor in 2002. He has since performed in Asia’s largest magic festivals as well as on various Korean TV networks including MBC, SBS and EBS.
Reference:
Gu Jun Pyo — Boys Over Flowers
FINLEY — Mayu Iwasaki
Age: 30’s
Finley is Kay’s best friend and housemate; the pair grew up together, and have been inseperable ever since. Finley always manages to see the positive in any situation or person. A free spirit, she doesn’t take life too seriously and is happy to go with the flow.
• Outgoing, quirky, offbeat
• Runs the local bar with her partner, Skyler
• Warm, open-minded extrovert
• Dedicated optimist
Mayu Iwasaki is a bilingual Japanese-born actress. She is known for her roles in Top Knot Detective, Suppose The Night Tasted Like Sugar and Remember My Name.
References:
Amanita — Sense8
Molly — Insecure
SKYLER — CASTING TBC
Age: 30’s–40’s
Skyler moved to Coalcliff from Melbourne 10 years ago for a quieter life. She bought the local bar and has been a town fixture ever since. She and Finley run the bar together, and the pair have been dating for the past 8 years. She is a woman of few words, but if she has something on her mind, she has no trouble letting people know exactly what she is thinking.
• Straight shooter, no bullshit
• Smart/witty
• Calm
• Lives with Finley and Kay
• Enjoys a good whisky
Reference:
Cristina — Grey’s Anatomy
Stephanie — Sideways
SECONDARY CHARACTERS
ARJUN MUDALIAR
Age: 17
Arjun’s brutal bashing sparks the investigation that brings Jesper down to Coalcliff from Sydney.
• Polite, intelligent teenager
• Studying his first year of a Bachelor of Business at Sydney University
• Born and raised in Coalcliff
DINESH MUDALIAR
Age: 70’s
Dinesh is Arjun’s grandfather — he tries to help Kay and Jesper with the investigation.
• Successful businessman
• Emigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia in the 1970’s
• Owns the local brickworks and is a major donor for the local Hindu temple
CHANDRI MUDALIAR
Age: 16
Chandri is Arjun’s sister. Her family believe that she is a quiet, academically-inclined teenager, but she secretly hangs with her boyfriend, Jordan, and dabbles in pot smoking.
• Intelligent and strong-willed
• Hides a lot from her family
HYO-JONG
Age: Late 20’s
Hyo-Jong meets Jae-Eun at a Zumba class that she has been frequenting for the past year. They hit it off immediately.
• Part-time barista at the Chill Pot Cafe
• On exchange from Seoul for her final year of a Masters degree in Interior Design
• Loves dancing, aerobics, speed walking and Zumba
SEO-YUN
Age: 50’s–60’s
Seo-Yun married an Australian/Korean man and has spent the past 30 years living between the two countries. She is one of Aunty Jina’s best friends, and the pair spend hours talking on the phone or catching up at each other’s houses. She is exceedingly proud of her only son, Jae-Eun, who has recently moved back home.
• Loves to gossip
• Enjoys cooking, growing cabbages and fermenting home-made kimchi
JORDAN MACMAHON
Age: 19
Works at the brickworks. Used to be good friends with Arjun. Plays basketball and smokes pot with mates in his spare time.
EVAN MATTHEWS
Age: 20’s
Lives in a neighbouring town. Works at the brickworks. Evan is interrogated by Jesper and Kay at the police station over Arjun’s assault.
DARLA
Age: 40’s
Tarot card reader and therapist. Darla is a transgender woman who has been a confidante and therapist to Kay since she moved to the town 5 years ago. Darla is also close to Chandri.
DR SANTOS
Age: 50’s
Trauma surgeon at the local hospital. Has a friendly working relationship with Sergeant Garrett who she has known for many years. Dr Santos is perceptive, professional and well respected in the community.
AARON JACKSON
Age: 30’s
Stoner from Wollongong. Works for his dad as a carpenter and roofer. Known to the cops for minor offences such as DUI and public drunkenness.
INCIDENTAL CHARACTERS
LEON
Age: Early 20’s
Works at Skyler’s pub as a bartender.
NURSE
Age: 30’s
The nurse is transporting a patient from surgery to their recovery room.
DARLA’S NEIGHBOUR
Age: 40’s
Heavy smoker, works night shifts cleaning at the local hospital. A nosy and generally bad-tempered woman.
MIDDLE-AGED COUPLE
Age: 50’s
Live near the pub and walk their dog around the park at night.
2 x SURFERS
Age: 40’s
Surf the local break whenever the conditions are good.
PATIENT
Age: 50s
The patient is unconscious and being transported to recovering after undergoing an investigative laparoscopy.
5 x POLICE OFFICERS
Age: 30’s–60’s
The police are a friendly, laidback team who work well together under the leadership of Sergeant Garrett.
2 x JORDAN’S MATES
Age: 19
The two have been mates with Jordan since primary school. They regularly catch up to shoot hoops at the council basketball courts.
10 x PUB PATRONS
Age: 20’s–70’s
Mixed crowd of locals drinking and socialising at the local pub.
5 x KAREOKE PATRONS
Age: 20’s–60’s
A mixed crowd of stragglers who are unlucky enough to witness Kay’s embarassing Kareoke meltdown.