Spreadsheet, the new Aussie comedy series about sex in the suburbs kicked off earlier this week, and is now streaming exclusively on Paramount+.
With the help of her best friend, Alex, Lauren (Katherine Parkinson) creates the “Spreadsheet” – a database of male options, customised to ensure her sushi train of sex rolls around with variety and order amidst the chaos of her life.
Taking on the role of Lauren’s Boss, Ange, is Katrina Milosevic.
Mediaweek spoke to Milosevic about Spreadsheet, Wentworth, and what it means to see Australian stories on screen.
Lauren (Parkinson) and Ange (Milosevic)
Getting Involved
There were a few aspects of Spreadsheet that piqued Milosevic’s interest.
“I read it and went ‘oh, that’s a lot of sex’ – I think that was part of it. That says a lot about me, doesn’t it? [laughs].
“I just thought it was different to anything I’ve done recently, and I love Katherine Parkinson, I knew she was attached. I love her and I also love my character Ange. There was a journey in the character, and the first thing that attracts me is if you can see a character grow and change over time. It was a short period of time, but it’s a journey nonetheless. Also, I was just grateful to work!”
Filming Through Covid
As with any show created in the last two years, Spreadsheet had to deal with a series of restrictions.
“We did have some pretty strict protocols,” said Milosevic. “I had an epiphany, I used to think I only like my job because I just love acting, I realised very quickly that it’s more than that. There’s something very satisfying about finding your tribe and getting to know people and getting to hang out with people – that just couldn’t happen on this show. There are a whole heap of crew that I’m not going to recognise because we didn’t get to see them up close or without a mask. It’s going to be quite strange.
“But still, I’m so grateful. It was still lovely and we got so much satisfaction from the small amount of time that we got to know people. But we had very strict protocols, lots of testing, lots of Covid marshalls, all that fun stuff.”
Leaving Wentworth
The final episode of Wentworth is coming to Foxtel on Tuesday, October 26th, and for Milosevic the reality of that is yet to set in.
“It hasn’t hit me. It’s so bizarre because we wrapped this time last year, and then covid numbers went through the roof. Our protocols were very, very harsh as well, so there are people I still have not gotten to say goodbye to or hug – actually I never really got to hug anyone. It’s no closure, so I’m still in denial that it’s done!
“There’s also been a whole heap of publicity for it too, so you’re still living it. I don’t feel like I’ve let it go, and I don’t know when I will let it go.”
Cast of Wentworth: Redemption
Aussies on Screen
For Milosevic, seeing Australian stories on our screens is of the utmost importance.
“I think it’s everything, I really do, and I don’t think that’s overstating things. It just baffles my brain how our government treats the arts, I really I just don’t understand it. It’s a way of reflecting society back at them, solving problems, and exploring ideas. It’s all the things that we need to do to progress generation after generation, and to put more emphasis on other less human based things baffles my brain.
“Australia needs Australian stories – we need to see who we are, and what we can be, and we need to hear our voices. Otherwise, we’re all gonna end up with these weird hybrid accents!
“We’ve got many stories to tell and I don’t think they all have to be quirky, and I don’t think they all have to involve the outback. I think we can we can start telling stories that will resonate, there’s so much more we haven’t explored.”