Michala Banas


Michala Elizabeth Laurinda Banas is a New Zealand television actress and singer.

Life and career

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, she starred in her first advert at only 18 months of age.
Her debut film performance was when she was five years old, in the New Zealand film Dangerous Orphans. Her Australian debut television performance was as Louisa in the miniseries Mirror, Mirror in 1995.
From 2001, Banas played Marissa Taylor in Always Greener and in 2002, she had a small role in the film adaptation Scooby-Doo.
Banas is an accomplished singer, and in 2003 released a single, "Kissin' The Wind", which made the top 30 on the Australian Recording Industry Association singles chart.
In 2004, Banas joined the cast of McLeod's Daughters as the character Kate Manfredi, the best friend of Jodi Fountain McLeod. She played Kate from episodes 88 to 170, when she took a short break to later return in episode 177. It was announced in 2007 that she would leave McLeod's Daughters in its final season. Banas' last episode was aired in early December 2008.
From 11 November 2008, Banas appeared in the role of Libby Kennedy on the Australian soap opera Neighbours for a five-week period after Kym Valentine was forced to take a temporary break due to illness.
In 2009, Banas filled in for Fox FM's Jo Stanley on The Matt and Jo Show while Stanley was on maternity leave. That same year saw her star in the Australian national tour of the Broadway musical, Avenue Q, playing the roles of "Kate Monster" and "Lucy the Slut". Banas was one of three celebrity faces for Proactiv Solution in Australia and New Zealand.
Banas had a guest role as Tiffany Turner on the drama series Winners & Losers, and a supporting role on ABC3 teen drama Nowhere Boys as Phoebe. In 2013, Banas starred in the ABC comedy series Upper Middle Bogan as Amber Wheeler. The series has run for three seasons.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985Dangerous OrphansAnna
2002Scooby-DooCarol
2003NedMuffy
2010'KarenShort film
2016'Phoebe Hartley

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995Mirror, MirrorLouisa Iredale20 episodes
1998State CoronerZoe MartinEpisode: "Days of Reckoning"
Episode: "Days of Reckoning II"
1999Murder CallKylie McDonaldEpisode: "Cut & Dried"
1999FlipperKarenEpisode: "Spring Break"
1999Blue HeelersTara BrucknerEpisode: "Winning at All Costs"
2000Blue HeelersMichaela BradyEpisode: "Leg Work"
2000'RenataEpisode: "Unnatural Selection"
2000–2001Round the TwistAriel11 episodes
2000–2001Something in the AirAngela O'Connor11 episodes
2001BeastMasterLorielEpisode: "Mydoro"
2001'Shoshonna GreenEpisode: "Star Quality"
2001–2003Always GreenerMarissa Taylor50 episodes
2004–2008McLeod's DaughtersKate Manfredi119 episodes
2008Megan McKeanEpisode: "1.12"
2008NeighboursLibby Kennedy23 episodes
2011–2016Winners & LosersTiffany Turner16 episodes
2012BeaconsfieldCaroline RussellEpisode: "1.1"
Episode: "1.2"
2013–2016Upper Middle BoganAmber WheelerMain role
2013–2016Nowhere BoysPhoebe HartleySupporting role
2014–2015Have You Been Paying Attention?Herself6 episodes
2015Miss Fisher's Murder MysteriesEnidSeason: "3", Episode: "6"
2018Hughesy, We Have a ProblemHerselfCelebrity Problem
2018Show Me the Movie!Herself1 episode
2019Get Krack!nRose Bailey1 episode