The amazing Penny McNamee, 34, has been nominated for a TV WEEK Logie Award this year in the Best New Talent category.
Penny plays doctor Tori Morgan on Home And Away and her character is currently dating Summer Bay’s other resident doctor, Nate Cooper (the hunky Kyle Pryor).
Talent clearly runs in the fmaily. Her sister Jess McNamee starred on Packed To The Rafters and is now carving out a successful career in LA.
We caught up with Penny to find out just how she copes with juggling the demands of being the mother of a young son, and having a role on one of Australia’s biggest soaps.
Are you anything like Tori?
Tori is more serious than I am, potentially because of her family situation. She’s also a lot more intelligent than me, considering she’s a doctor. But we’re both family-oriented and like having a laugh.
Do you come from a big family?
I’m one of five kids, so I understand the siblings dynamic.
Your sister [ex-Packed To The Rafters actress] Jessica is doing well overseas, isn’t she?
She’s been in LA for quite a few years and has just cracked it big-time, which is exciting. My other sister lives in Chicago and my two other siblings live in Sydney.
When you and Jess were growing up, did you put on plays for your family?
More likely musicals, because we grew up in a family that sang and played instruments. We also did more singing and dancing than acting.
You were in a Ben Lee video clip for “Gamble Everything For Love”. What are your memories of shooting it?
The director was Nash Edgerton, Joel’s brother. We started filming at 9pm and worked all the way through to dawn, when we jumped in the harbour at [Sydney’s] Drummoyne. It was one take. I did a terrible jump!
You have a young son, Jack. How do you balance motherhood and work?
I don’t have any answers, it’s just really hard. I think I can do it because I enjoy spending time with my son and being a mum – and I also just enjoy my work.
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