Phoebe Tonkin

8FnM...nem8

4 Mar 2024

Phoebe Tonkin

Phoebe Jane Elizabeth Tonkin, born on July 12, 1989, is an Australian actress known for her various roles in television series. She gained recognition for portraying Cleo Sertori in the Australian television show "H2O: Just Add Water." Additionally, she appeared as Fiona Maxwell in "Tomorrow, When the War Began" and Faye Chamberlain in "The Secret Circle."
Tonkin is perhaps best known for her roles in The CW series "The Vampire Diaries" and its spin-off "The Originals," where she portrayed the character Hayley Marshall. Her performances in these supernatural dramas garnered her widespread acclaim.
In addition to her television work, Tonkin has also appeared in other projects, including the role of Frances Bell in the adaptation of "Boy Swallows Universe." Throughout her career, she has established herself as a versatile and talented actress in both Australian and international television.

Phoebe Tonkin, born on July 12, 1989, in Sydney, New South Wales, spent her formative years in the suburb of Mosman. At the age of four, she commenced dance classes encompassing various styles such as classical ballet, hip hop, contemporary dance, and tap dance. By the time she turned 12, Tonkin had enrolled in courses at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) at the Wharf Theatre, indicating her early interest and involvement in performing arts. She later graduated from Queenwood School for Girls, completing her education while nurturing her passion for acting and the performing arts.

In 2005, Phoebe Tonkin landed the role of Cleo Sertori in the Australian children's television series "H2O: Just Add Water." The show revolves around the lives of three teenage girls who transform into mermaids. To prepare for her role, Tonkin worked on improving her swimming abilities during the pre-production phase. "H2O: Just Add Water" premiered on July 7, 2006, on Network Ten and garnered a wide audience, eventually reaching over 250 million viewers worldwide. As part of the promotional activities for the series, Tonkin and her co-stars presented the "Best Band" award at the Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards in October 2007. Her performance in the series earned her a nomination for "Best Lead Actress in a Television Series" at the Australian Film Institute Awards in 2008. "H2O: Just Add Water" ran for three seasons, concluding with its series finale on April 16, 2010.

Phoebe Tonkin's career expanded to include roles in several Australian television shows after her success in "H2O: Just Add Water." She appeared in popular series such as "Packed to the Rafters" and "Home and Away." In September 2010, Tonkin made her film debut in the Australian action film "Tomorrow, When the War Began," portraying the character Fiona Maxwell. The film revolves around a group of teenagers fighting against an invading foreign power. Although a sequel was announced, it never materialized. In January 2011, Tonkin relocated to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in international acting.

Shortly after her move, Tonkin was cast as Faye Chamberlain in The CW's supernatural drama series "The Secret Circle," which premiered in September 2011. The show garnered positive reviews, with Tonkin receiving critical acclaim for her performance. Despite its initial success, the series was canceled after one season in May 2012.
Tonkin continued to expand her career with roles in other projects. In August 2010, she was cast in the 3D horror film "Bait 3D," which was filmed in Australia. She also joined the cast of The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" in 2012, playing the recurring role of Hayley. This role led to her involvement in the spin-off series "The Originals," where she was heavily featured in the pilot episode.

In 2017, Tonkin was cast in the SBS drama "Safe Harbour," which follows a group of Australians who encounter a boat of refugees while on a sailing vacation. She also appeared in an episode of "The Affair" in 2018. Additionally, Tonkin starred in the Stan streaming series "Bloom" as the young Gwen Reid.
Outside of acting, Tonkin ventured into writing and directing. In 2019, she wrote and directed her first short film, "Furlough," which was screened at various film festivals in 2020. She has also participated in programs aimed at empowering female directors, such as the Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program since 2019.

Phoebe Tonkin's career has been marked by diverse roles in both television and film. After appearing on Australian television shows like "Packed to the Rafters" and "Home and Away," she made her film debut in the Australian action film "Tomorrow, When the War Began" in 2010. Tonkin portrayed the character Fiona Maxwell, a rich and uptight teenager involved in a guerrilla war against an invading foreign power.
In 2011, Tonkin moved to Los Angeles to pursue international acting opportunities. She soon landed a significant role as Faye Chamberlain in The CW's supernatural drama series "The Secret Circle." Her performance received critical acclaim, earning her recognition as a breakout star in the industry. Despite the show's cancellation after one season, Tonkin's talent and potential were widely acknowledged.

Tonkin continued to expand her acting portfolio, joining the cast of The CW's "The Vampire Diaries" in 2012, playing the recurring role of Hayley. Her character's popularity led to her involvement in the spin-off series "The Originals," where she was heavily featured in the pilot episode.
Outside of television, Tonkin appeared in the 3D horror film "Bait 3D" and the drama series "Safe Harbour." She also ventured into writing and directing, creating her first short film titled "Furlough" in 2019. Tonkin's commitment to empowering female directors led her to participate in programs like the Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program since 2019.
Her dedication to her craft and versatility as an actress have solidified Tonkin's place in the entertainment industry, both in Australia and internationally.