PERTH-born actress Danielle Brewer has successfully transitioned from Australian ‘Telly’ to the American TV and Film industry with her appearance last month on the The Good Wife and upcoming lead role in the film Silene.
Australia has long been the breeding ground for successful actors taking flight internationally to the big screen and Broadway, including Isla Fisher and Naomi Watts. You might recognize Danielle as Nestle’s national Light & Creamy girl in the Australian Women’s Weekly or the chilly ice cream aisle at your local supermarket. But that was just a scoop of fun on the side for Danielle while she was working on set with lead roles in various Australian independent films, including First Sleep and Newton’s 3rd Law, both shot in Sydney.
The American Golden Globe winning TV series The Good Wife is shot in New York City. Danielle remarked at her time on set with the show. “It was a seemingly normal day preparing for background work in the studio when I got chosen to play Sabrina. Little did I know it was an extraordinary day where preparedness and opportunity where going to meet.”
With a background in music and ballet from the age of 5 her desire to tell the truth of every story has fuelled her passion in the arts. Danielle learned, “Sometimes the heart is a beautifully messy and awkward place … finding that delicate balance between sharing yourself and creating something new is a real honour.”
In addition to her love of the arts she completed a Bachelor of Business at Edith Cowan University in 2004. At the same time, she professionally embraced her natural ease in front of the camera by working with Riverview Community News as a lead presenter and her guest role on channel 9’s Getaway.
Danielle pursued her training at the Perth Actors Collective before moving to Sydney where she continued study at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art). She commented on her journey, “I love that I get to play an emotionally disturbed housewife one day and a perky cheer leader the next. Not knowing what’s around the corner is exhilarating because I never really can tell what is going to happen.” Realising the potential of international networking, Danielle embraced the opportunity to hone her skills at the New York Film Academy with the one-year acting conservatory in The Big Apple.
Danielle has found herself navigating the acting world with corporate sensibilities as much as a creative fervour. She referred to the importance of understanding the industry, “The blend of my business and creative experiences has supported me in a way I would have never expected, one would have never matured without the other”.
The excellence of her work has flowed onto the stage. My Perfect Life, starring Danielle as Carolee, advanced into the final top eight at the Long Island City One Act Play festival in April. Most recently, she performed in the production Satire Off-Broadway at The Producers Club in Times Square this month.
Currently based in New York City, Danielle has just been cast in the feature film, Silene, directed by John Desiderio, which will tell the story of a woman who is working through the loss of her unborn child. The multifaceted drama is set in Queens just outside the bustling city of Manhattan. Desiderio who handpicked the cast commented saying, “Danielle is an enormously talented actress who was my first choice for this character.”
No doubt Danielle will continue to find favour in the American Film and TV industry. You’ll want to remember the name, she’s one to watch.
