Copyright (0000) Fiona-Lee Quimby

Cult show ... Claudia Karvan on location in Dover Heights. (Sydney)
Photo: Fiona-Lee Quimby

Daughter of Kytherian never far from the Australian television spotlight.

Life of us that's too secret for Karvan fans

By Holly Byrnes
August 7, 2005
The Sun-Herald, page 9.


It's the secret life of us - the very Sydney drama currently filming in and around town that most locals have never even seen.

Love My Way, the Foxtel drama starring Claudia Karvan, has scored critical acclaim and even a Logie since its debut last year. Despite the show's limited pay TV reach, its enthusiastic audience has guaranteed it cult status.

Taking a break from filming the show's second series last week, Karvan said producers were aware of a flourishing black market in pirated episodes, while a viewer feedback session turned into a pseudo support group for frustrated Love My Way fans.

"The biggest criticism people had was that they didn't have anyone to talk to about it," Karvan said. "It was obviously a huge frustration."

For those who have tuned in it's a familiar story, set around Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Karvan herself found the location for her character Frankie's home while driving her real-life daughter Audrey around the streets of Dover Heights.

"This house I spotted when I used to drive Audrey around when she wouldn't fall asleep. And I passed another place the other day when we were walking the dogs which I'm going to suggest."

The production, which also stars Asher Keddie, Dan Wyllie and Brendan Cowell, filmed scenes in Malabar and Bondi recently and will move on to Darlinghurst this week, when Karvan's character returns to art college. Scenes in Coogee, Greenwich, Pyrmont and Stanwell Park are set to follow.

A Sydney girl who moved to Melbourne for her part in the 20-something drama The Secret Life Of Us, Karvan is excited about telling this local story.

"You do get so much out of hearing your own vernacular, your own accent, seeing your local cafes. It's great knowing your own city intimately and being able to have that input," said Karvan, who also co-produces the show.

Production wraps up on the second series on September 27, 2005. It is set to go to air early next year.