Australian Story on ABC – At 50, actress and producer Claudia Karvan is at the peak of her powers.
She’s currently getting rave reviews for her first stage performance in 25 years and is working on a new season of the award-winning TV show Bump, which she co-created, co-produces and stars in.
Karvan has been in the public eye since her first movie at the age of ten.
But behind the scenes of her long and successful career, Karvan has also been managing an often chaotic family life.
A remarkably candid Karvan talks about growing up around her mother and stepfather’s King Cross nightclub and her transition from childhood actor to adult star.
She also reveals the mental health issues in her family and speaks publicly for the first time about her difficult relationship with her biological father, who died last year.
“The way I evaluate and understand my life is putting it into drama,” she explains. “We’re telling each other stories all the time about our own lives, about each other’s lives. That’s what storytelling is all about.”
In addition to Karvan, the episode features daughter Audrey Karvan-Sparks, former partner Jeremy Sparks, stepfather Arthur Karvan, friend and actor Justine Clarke and producer and collaborator John Edwards.
Today, Karvan says she’s never felt calmer or happier.
“If only I could go back in time and just talk to my 20-year-old self, “she tells Australian Story. “There was so much talk when I was younger about how the roles for women dry up after 35. It’s not been like that at all.”
Producer: Greg Hassall.
AUSTRALIAN STORY – Monday, 27 March, 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
More TV Central ABC content HERE
