It’s like Popstars, but make it dramatic in the brand-new series Paper Dolls and the cast is filled to the brim with incredible local talent!
On February 12, it was announced that Ten had commissioned an eight-part local drama about five aspiring singers who are thrust into the spotlight in pursuit of pop stardom and fame.
Sound familiar?
Well, the original concept was created by none other than former Bardot (and Sophie Monk’s) bandmate Belinda Chapple, who knows a thing or two about quickly rising to stardom on a TV show.
What will Paper Dolls be about?
According to the official synopsis: “Never far from the watchful eye of the cameras, fans and critics, HARLOW is born out of the music reality television show Pop Rush, redefining pop culture in the process. However, the five young women must navigate the dark side of a glamorous industry determined to commodify them.”
“Australians are going to love this premium drama that highlights what goes on behind-the-scenes in the making of a girl pop group,” Sophia Mogford, executive producer, drama and comedy at Paramount ANZ, said in a statement.
“It is a fascinating and extraordinary insight which pulls back the showbiz curtain to reveal the dark side of fame. With a stellar ensemble cast of fresh new talent, we can’t wait for audiences to watch Paper Dolls. It is going to be ground-breaking.”
So, who is in the cast of Paper Dolls?
Meet the cast of Paper Dolls
Emalia (Izzy James)
Emalia is an Australian RnB/Pop artist, songwriter and actress.
According to her IMDB bio, she began performing at the age of five and during her schooling, sang for the Australian Youth Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2013, and again as a featured artist in The Schools Spectacular (#neverforget).
In 2018, she signed her first record deal with Sony Music Australia, releasing her debut EP Unmuted (2021), featuring previously released tracks Suga Rush and IOU, which featured renowned US rapper Guapdad 4000.
In 2021, Emalia landed her first television feature role as Natalie in episode one of Australian Gangster.
You can find out more about Emalia here.
Naomi Sequeira (Annabel Tonkin)
Naomi Sequeira is an award-winning Filmmaker & Actress.
The Sydney-born talent co-hosted Hanging with Adam and Naomi for the Disney Channel and was nominated three times for an Astra Award for the most outstanding presenter and most popular female personality.
According to her official IMDB page, following her turn as a presenter, she starred in ABC’s Rake and the British mystery series, The Evermoor Chronicles.
Sequeira also appeared in Rip Tide, Pearl in Paradise, Romance on the Menu and Blood Sisters; however, more recently, Who I was Before I Forgot, Finally Me and Stan original Totally, Completely Fine.
Miah Madden (Charlie Levett)
Miah Madden has a huge list of acting credits to her name.
She has appeared in Redfern Now, The Moodys, Hyde and Seek, Australia Day with Bryan Brown, Dive Club and as young Julie in The Sapphires.
More recently, Madden voiced a character in Disney+’ Koala Man and was cast as a presenter on Play School.
Her first episode, The Yarning and Dreaming Special, featured Indigenous performers Christine Anu and Luke Carroll.
Courtney Clarke (Jade Hart)
Courtney Clarke has appeared in shorts The Gift, Balaclava Lane and Christmas Neeve.
In 2023, Courtney will appear in three episodes of Paramount+ Last King of the Cross alongside Lincoln Younes and Claude Jabbour.
Courtney Monsma (Lillian Milton)
Courtney Monsma has appeared in TV series The Strip and the film Long Shadows, however, she is best known for her role as Princess Anna in the Australian production of Frozen The Musical.
“Playing Princess Anna was a dream come true, and stepping into her shoes a few years back truly changed my life,” she said on Instagram in December 2022.
“I’ve learnt so [sic] much as a performer and a person throughout this process. Looking back, I feel very proud of my growth.”
Who are the creative team behind Paper Dolls?
Paper Dolls was also created and written by Ainslie Clouston (Amazing Grace), with writers David Hannam (Darby and Joan), Marieke Hardy (Heartbreak High), Jenna Purcell, Sara Khan (Heartbreak High) and Thomas Wilson-White (Heartbreak High) and is directed by the powerhouse collective of Tenika Smith (The Heights), Nina Buxton (Summer Love) and Erin White (Wellmania).
Jessica Carrera (Seriously Red) and Kerrie Mainwaring (Bali 2002) serve as producers alongside executive producer Mark Fennessy (Last King of The Cross) and Chapple, and Alexander Pettaras (Last King of The Cross) as associate producer.
Paper Dolls is slated for release in 2023 on 10 and 10Play.
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