Australian actor Emma Harvie is known for her roles as Chaya in RFDS and Megan in Colin From Accounts. They’re two very different shows, with RFDS tackling heavy topics and being filled with drama, while Colin From Accounts is a more light-hearted comedy. However, Emma tells Chattr there’s one similarity between the two that viewers wouldn’t expect.
“The vibe on set for Colin [From Accounts] is really light because it’s a comedy, but the vibe on RFDS is great as well. Like, everyone’s lovely. It’s a really warm environment,” Emma says. “I feel really lucky to work on both productions, actually.”
Even though RFDS is a hard-hitting drama about the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia, Emma loves working with the crew. The show usually films on location in country areas, such as Quorn and Port Augusta, so there becomes a bond between the cast and crew. “It’s kind of being taken out of your home base and thrust into [filming] this show… you spend more time together, because you’re away from your families,” Emma adds.
It can be “hard” to film RFDS, as the cast and crew sometimes have to battle the weather, plus there’s a lot of medical processes and jargon the cast have to get correct.
“We’re filming a lot in a short amount of time, [while] also being out in the elements. I remember there was a day where it was super windy and dusty, and the crew was standing in that for hours, and it’s actually incredible what they do,” Emma says.
Emma on why she was surprised by her role in RFDS
Emma’s character on RFDS is refreshing. She’s a former addict who falls in love, which can be unusual for a South Asian character in the Australian media landscape. She admits she was surprised by the chance to play a “love interest”, a role typically given to white Australians.
“I never thought that I would be cast as a love interest in a Channel Seven show… that you know, kind of gets that Australian… everyday person who [is] turning on free-to-air TV,” Emma explains.
“I didn’t think that someone who looks like me would be cast as a love interest in that world. I was really excited to do that, and I hope there’s more opportunities for women of colour on Australian TV.”
She acknowledges there’s still a way to go, but believes the Australian industry is “working towards that”.
Does Emma Harvie want to break into Hollywood?
There’s a trend for Australian actors to head over to Hollywood to try and make it big there, with plenty of successes. Just look at Chris Hemsworth, Nicole Kidman, Samara Weaving and more.
Emma says she’s open to the idea of nabbing a “cool role” in Hollywood, but notes that people all over the world are currently embracing Australian TV shows. “I’ve been to LA recently, and people love Australian content. They love Colin From Accounts. People have seen RFDS, we know RFDS is big in Europe. I think Australian voices are more being kind of embraced more internationally,” she says.
“I don’t know about if our stuff’s getting better, or if people are just looking outside the kind of American Zeitgeist for content, but yeah, we’re making amazing stuff.”
There are a few Home and Away stars on RFDS, so it could be a natural sidestep for Emma to make a cameo in Summer Bay or join the cast. She’s open to the idea, so could she be the next Northern Districts Hospital doctor?
“Yeah, [I’d join the cast] only if I can play like, a stalker, who you know, like sets fire to a shed and kills Alf (Ray Meagher) or something,” she jokes. “I don’t want to kill Alf, though. [I could kill] Brax? I don’t know… I’m gonna be a doctor, aren’t I? I’ll do it.”
RFDS Season 3 airs on Wednesdays at 7.30pm on Channel 7
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