Bree Peters is fearless. So says award-winning documentary maker and director Paula Whetu Jones. She has cast the Shortland Street and Sweet Tooth actor as Tessa Rivers in Spinal Destination, a six-part dark comedy series based on show creator, writer and director Paula’s own true story. She lost the use of her legs in a matter of hours one day, after her immune system attacked her spine, leaving her in a wheelchair.
“I’m not fearless – I’m such a worrier!” laughs Bree, who has also starred in The Brokenwood Mysteries and Home And Away. “I’m like a labrador – I love people and I want to be loved. I always worry what people think.
“I really enjoy dark comedy, but when I first read the script, I wondered if watching me play Tessa would be difficult for Paula. But she wrote it that way, so I had to be brave and properly live in that headspace so I could tell the story she wanted me to.”
One of the first things Paula asked Bree to do at the audition was to get in a wheelchair.
“I wasn’t scared – I had a great time in it, actually. I almost flipped it!” laughs Bree. “She didn’t ask me to get in the chair – she told me! She also said she didn’t want to see any fear and whatever she wanted was okay with me.”
This story is from the April 30, 2024 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
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This story is from the April 30, 2024 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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