What I’ve Been Watching: Ava Caryofyllis

12 year old Ava Caryofyllis, who plays Iris in ABC’s Bay of Fires is a fan of Stranger Things and Young Sheldon.

What shows are on your must-see TV list lately and why?

AC: Apart from ‘Bay of Fires’, I love the show ‘Stranger Things’ as it is so thrilling and scary, keeping me on the edge of my seat! If you want to watch it, make sure you don’t get scared easily, as I was covering my eyes a couple times! But I can’t wait for season 5! I am also watching ‘Young Sheldon’ with my dad and we think it is hilarious! It is definitely in my top 3! I absolutely love the show ‘Only Murders in the Building’, even though it is a little too ‘adult’ for me at times. I adore the ‘whodunnit’ shows, especially when it turns out to be someone unexpected!

When you settle down for a night on the couch, what are your ‘must-haves?’

AC: If it is a cold night, I will have to have a blanket to snuggle with, and my dog on my lap. If it is a hot night, I will have a bowl of ice-cream to keep me cool! But, no matter the temperature, I will always need a bunch of lollies, a packet of chips, or a bowl of buttery popcorn!

What show would you secretly love to appear on?

AC: As I already mentioned, I love ‘Stranger Things’, so it would be an absolute dream to star in that. The actors and storyline are pretty amazing. It is an awesome show so far. If any of the ‘Stranger Things’ crew are reading this, I am always free!

What advice do you have for other young performers looking to start a career?

AC: I think starting with lessons or training at places like NIDA or ATYP can help if you are new to the whole acting scene. Most acting schools have lessons for different dialects, camera courses, or even just a basic acting class! Also preparing yourself for rejection is a big part of acting, as you obviously don’t score every role you go for! You can also apply for lots of short films to kick-start your career, as you never know who the next Steven Spielberg is, and the crew might remember you for another job in the future! It is also good for your own training too, as you can practice playing out proper scenes in a proper production, without the rush of a big feature film set. Plus, short films are always lots of fun!

Tell us about playing Iris on Bay of Fires. What was the most exciting aspect of the shoot and who did you enjoy working with?

AC: Playing Iris was so much fun! I think one of the most exciting aspects was relocating to Queenstown, Tasmania for three and a half months! It was so different from the big city I live in! Marta was always looking after Imi (my on-screen brother) and I, making sure we were okay, and Imi was a great replacement brother for my real one that I left in Sydney. Stephen Curry and Tony Barry were always cracking jokes that made me laugh a lot! Everyone was awesome and the crew did an amazing job, looking after the actors and keeping us all sane in the remote Tassie town. It was great to film with very seasoned actors like Marta Dusseldorp, Kerry Fox and Toby Leonard Moore too.

Bay of Fires concludes 8:30pm Sunday on ABC.