In the Australian LGBTQ international show Flunk, Emily Mutimer plays Astrid, and she played the character in the spin-off feature films Flunk: Sleepover and Flunk: After School. Last year, Emily payed Eliza Salerno in the web series Bongrats, which had a screening at the Lido Cinema in Hawthorn, and her further roles include playing lead character Katie in the independent feature film Slender: Demoniac, and she played Maude in the pilot of Australian series Bunchie. Emily is working on an upcoming TV series that is in development with Rockwell Media Productions, Candlefire Films and Diversity Pictures and will star Sonia Rockwell. We caught up with Emily about playing Astrid in Flunk and the spin-off feature films, appearing as Eliza Salerno in web series Bongrats and her lead role of Katie in horror film Slender: Demoniac.
Can you tell us about the Australian LGBTQ international show Flunk and your character Astrid, and how has it been seeing the fan response to the series?
I would say that Astrid is more skeptical about chasing her dreams, she has all these interests, cooking, entrepreneurial things, being active, yet she doesn’t have a clear sense of what she wants to do with her life, she’s still trying to please her dad.
She’s someone with a great intuition and great awareness, being present is something she’s really good at. She lets emotions hit her and then figures out the best way to deal with it. I love being able to live this out in a character, because it feels very freeing to play someone who knows this about herself and isn’t caught up in things that don’t serve her.
After reading the script, I was excited to play Astrid, I already had ideas about how I wanted to play her after the first read of the film. There was already so much information about her and what she wants and I couldn’t wait to bring her to life. I was super grateful for Melanie Rowland and Ric Foster to have cast me, because they both have had lots of experience on film sets and it was comforting to be able to speak to Mel about anything on the set which made me feel really comfortable. I remember after the first day on set she called me and was telling me how happy they were with the footage and how excited she was to have me on board with the project. That phone call definitely helped my confidence as a newbie on the set and helped me back myself, so I thank Mel for that.
Seeing the fans interact with Flunk has been awesome to watch. I love the comments they leave after each episode, because it’s proof that these characters and Flunk’s storylines resonate with people across the whole world. It’s encouraging to have fans care about the project and care about Astrid, it makes me feel like I’m able to make a difference and make others feel less alone when they get to relate to her and enjoy watching her life unfold. They go on the journey with us as we have different storylines and obstacles come up, they too experience it and it feels like a really safe loving community we’re all a part of.
What is Flunk like to be part of and how was it meeting the rest of the cast for the first time?
Besides it being an awesome project to be a part of and being able to play a character for over three years, it also felt like a bootcamp for acting. There were often quick turnaround times from getting the script to filming the scene, which challenged me and made me feel more confident after realising I could still do the work and feel good about it with little time to prepare. Meeting the cast was super fun, there were always new people that I’d be doing scenes with, especially in Season 5, so it was great to be able to act with a variety of other cast members.
Was there anything that drew you to the role of Astrid and what is she like to play?
I felt super excited to play Astrid because it was a role I hadn’t played before. Her childlike behaviour drew me in, she seemed very innocent of the world and also very curious and adventurous so it felt like I could relive that growing up aspect of my life again. It was exciting to play someone in their teens figuring out relationships and navigating her way through school and exploring new friendships. Astrid and myself are both similar in the way that we share empathy for other people, and are very aware of what’s going on in a room, reading people’s unsaid behaviour.
You also play Astrid in the spin-off feature films Flunk: The Sleepover and After School, what were both films like to work on?
The cast for both films were super lovely and made the set a really fun place. I became good friends with the girls very quickly, which made me feel so lucky to come to work and film scenes with awesome people. Astrid is in the same relationship with Jaz in both films, but at the end of the second film After School, they part ways. It was a great arc for me to play, I got to film lots of different scenes, where Astrid goes through the whole circle of emotions which I find exciting.
In the 2024 web series Bongrats, you play Eliza Salerno, can you tell us about your time filming this project?
Filming Bongrats and playing Eliza was a complete switch up to other characters and sets I’ve been on. The story is about four clueless friends as they navigate the chaotic world of low-level drug dealing. With unpredictable twists, larger-than-life characters, and laugh-out-loud moments, this series offers a raw, hilarious, and unapologetically absurd look at friendships tested by bad decisions. I love this type of story and playing a character who has no filter and isn’t afraid to take a risk. Eliza is a character with lots of strength and confidence which made a lot of my scenes really fun to film. The cast are legends and always had my back which made the sets super enjoyable.
How was it attending the screening of Bongrats at the Lido Cinema in Hawthorn?
It was an amazing night, to see the audience interact with the story and get live reactions was a cool thing to experience. The support from the audience meant a lot and felt encouraging. It was great to be able to do a live Q&A afterwards so we were able to talk more about the project and share our gratitude to everyone who bought a ticket and supports the show.
What was it like taking on the lead role of Katie in the independent feature film Slender: Demoniac and how did you find the experience working on a horror film?
Honestly, I struggle watching horror films so I thought okay well if I’m in one and I see how all the jump scares are staged, then maybe I will get over this fear – but turns out I’m still a baby and at our first screening for the film I jump scared myself with my own jump scare – and it really wasn’t that scary (going off everyone else’s reactions) but I still can’t watch horror without freaking out. Besides that – the guys I filmed with were AMAZING! They were so accommodating to me and taught me a lot about different camera techniques when filming horror films, I really loved that project because it was also a long arc for my character who gets possessed then almost dies and then returns back to normal life.
How was it being involved with the pilot of Australian series Bunchie as Maude?
A very funny script! I loved working with the talented writer/actor Maurice Kadamani who trusted me with this character. I was laughing so much on set because the lines and characters are fleshed out so well and are so unique, they’re all wacky, crazy misfits who live in this crazy world together. I first read the script and loved everything about it, the comedic pacing, the drama, the characters. I also was very grateful to have been approached for this role, because my co-star Maurice Kadamani is such a hard worker with so much talent, and the talented John Orcsik was directing it. He has a great eye for direction and helped me really dive into the role and gave me permissions to take risks with my character Maude.
I play the main protagonist’s best friend Maude. She’s a stoner with a heart of gold. She cares for her best friend Bunchie and wants the best for him. They’ve known each other since childhood and want the best for each other. Maude acts as a comfort person to Bunchie, who knows if they will fall in love or keep it best friends forever.
Where does your love of acting and writing come from and how did you get started in the industry?
I grew up in a family of six (four kids), we were/are a very active/sporty family, my parents would encourage us all to play different sports to see what we liked. I was always the child who was putting on plays/dances/shows for my family. I started writing songs from the age six or seven and knowing at a very young age I wanted to be an actress. I loved playing pretend with friends when they would come over after school and making our parents watch the show we made up playing multiple characters. At Easter time, I would get together with over 40 relatives down at the beach house and write an easter play for all the cousins to perform (2009-2014). It was so clear to me even though I was playing lots of sports.
Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor/writer so far that has stuck with you, and what advice would you give someone hoping to get into performing or creating?
I watched an interview once, like years and years ago, where Meryl Streep quoted once “acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarities in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there” and that stuck with me. Whenever I get asked why I love acting, I think of this quote. I really love acting because I get to express versions of myself that stays tucked away for many reasons, and when I act I get to explore them without judgement, I get to empathise and connect with people.
I would say to join a class, because it’s a great place to build a community of like-minded people who you can learn from. Class really helps me to stay accountable and get me out of my comfort zone. Remember that you’re unique and to back yourself when you might feel like no one else does. You’re your own best friend and you need to learn to rely on yourself and trust yourself.
Some advice I received that I pass on is; remember it’s a journey not a destination, keep your tools fresh (putting in the work practising your craft so you don’t get rusty), get comfortable being uncomfortable, celebrate what makes you different and unique (trying to follow someone else’s path/comparing yourself to them can be exhausting), create the work, write your own films, cast yourself and have fun!
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your free time?
I’m a massive Julia Roberts fan so naturally my favourite film is Notting Hill. She inspires me to fight for what I want and be confident in my own skin. I love going to the beach and writing music in my spare time. I’m definitely one with nature and enjoy being outdoors exploring, and then sitting at a piano and writing about everything and anything.
Do you have a favourite aspect of being an actor?
My favourite thing about being an actor would be the community of people you meet and become friends with. It gets me out of my comfort zone and reminds me to challenge myself and take risks. I love playing a range of characters – I feel like I can empathise with people more and develop more awareness of the world when I do my research on a new character I play. I sometimes feel like a sponge absorbing other people’s feelings and sometimes it’s a lot, but then I get to put it into my characters and let out these emotions and I feel empowered by that, it feels true to who I am at the core.
What are you hoping 2025 brings for you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can share?
I’m lucky enough to have been cast in a TV series that is in development with Rockwell Media Partners, Candlefire Films and Diversity Pictures, starring Sonia Rockwell. I am thrilled for this project and the opportunity to work with skilled industry professionals, including Jessica Orcsik.
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