Wonkybot Q&A: Australia’s Deborah Kennedy Returns For Another Wonkybot Studios Project

“A Place To Call Home” actress set to appear in the second season of creator Stewart St John’s ‘Origins Unknown’

Los Angeles CA — January 12, 2021 — Deborah Kennedy is a veteran Australian actress with a career that spans over 40 years in film, stage and television. Her role as nosy town gossip Doris Collins in the sprawling, award-winning, six-season Australian drama A Place To Call Home made her an international star. In 2019, Wonkybot founders Stewart St John, Todd Fisher and Michael Plahuta (also from Australia) — enormous fans of the show — cast Kennedy to voice a major role in Wonkybot’s award-winning podcast series, Tara Tremendous. One year later and Kennedy is back voicing a new character for Wonkybot Studios, the LA-based production company and burgeoning podcast distribution network aimed at tweens, teens and YA. This time Kennedy is starring in the upcoming second season of teen horror series Origins Unknown, created, written and directed by Wonkybot co-founder Stewart St John and airing exclusively on Pinna.

Origins Unknown revolves around a mysterious package containing an item cursed with supernatural energy that wrecks havoc on the lives of residents in a small Ohio town called Copper Heights. Originally developed by St John as a television series, he and the Wonkybot team decided to produce the show as a podcast series first when they were looking for a follow up project to Tara Tremendous.

Origins Unknown is just one of the many original audio series produced in-house at Wonkybot Studios which handles everything from concept to scripting, casting to recording, and post production to distribution across its many platforms. Wonkybot’s strategy of producing high quality audio series first, then repurposing or licensing the IP as television and film properties, has proven to be a successful formula. The company’s Tara Tremendous podcast series is currently in development as a movie musical with Marc Platt Productions (La La Land, Dear Even Hansen).

In this exclusive Q/A, Deborah reveals why she’s excited to work with Wonkybot again, gives hints about her character in the upcoming Origins Unknown Season 2, and shares her secret passion project.

WB: Origins Unknown is a teen horror podcast series created by Stewart St John, co-founder of Wonkybot Studios in Los Angeles. Why did you want to be involved in this production?

DK: Well, I had such a great time working with them on the Tara Tremendous series, so I already knew how much Stewart and the Wonkybot team cared about getting the best work out there. On Tara, Stewart’s writing is what Roald Dahl does… they make it possible for the entire audience to lap it up on different levels, without it going over the tops of their heads. So it’s a pleasure performing in a Wonkybot show!

WB: After you read the scripts for Origins Unknown Season 2, what was your reaction?

DK: Oh, I just loved the story, with all its unpredictable plot twists and well- rounded characters!

WB: What do you think about the scripted podcast genre?

DK: I think the podcast genre is very appealing and easily accessible for listeners across the globe.

WB: Why do you think Wonkybot has been so successful at creating original audio productions?

DK: The excellence of the writing, the plotlines, the orginal music and the high quality of production make working with Wonkybot Studios a delight, and why audiences are reacting so positively to all of Wonkybot’s original shows!

WB: In Origins Unknown Season 2 you play a character named ‘Agatha Dunwick’. Did you have any favorite moments or dialogue from the show?

DK: My favorite moment for Agatha is what happens when she and the doll cross paths. [I can’t give it away, so fans will have to tune in to listen!]

WB: What’s challenging about bringing a character to life using only your voice?

DK: I didn’t fiind it a challenge to create a character by just using my voice, but working remotely, without meeting the other cast members is tricky. There’s something about only being responsible for the voice that gives you an incredible freedom to act in a way that when your image is on the screen you can pull back from that.

WB: What’s the process like working with Stewart St John & Michael Plahuta remotely?

DK: The process of working remotely was made easier because of Stewart’s clear direction, combined with Stewart and Michael’s enthusiasm and passion for the project. [WB: Deborah recorded her lines in Australia, and was directed remotely by Stewart St John and Michael Plahuta from their LA-based studio.]

WB: Podcasts are all the rage at the moment, but their roots can be found in the old radio shows from the 30s. Do you recall listening to old radio shows growing up? If so, what were they?

DK: My earliest recollection of radio drama was ‘Blue Hills’ , and ‘The Goon’s’

WB: Who do you think is going to love this show Origins Unknown?

DK: Everyone who likes a good story should enoy this show.

WB: You’ve been acting in theater, television and film for many decades, most recently appearing in the sensational TV series ‘A Place To Call Home’ as Doris Collins. You’re an international star! When did you first perform as an actress?

DK: My first acting experience was playing The Ugly Duckling, at school, aged seven. My first experience as a member of a theatre company was touring shows to schools!

WB: What has been your favorite role to play so far in your career?

DK: Favorite acting roles include Germaine in ‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’ working with Steve Martin, and Mrs Richards in a stage version of ‘Fawlty Towers, with John Cleese.

WB: So how do you like the horror genre?

DK: The horror genre has always scared the hell out of me!

WB: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

DK: My favourite movie of all time is too hard to say, but ‘The Innocents’, starring Deborah Kerr, is one of the best horror movies I’ve seen!

WB: If you could wave a magic wand, what kind of project would you like to do next?

DK: I’ve no idea what the future holds, f I could wave a magic wand, I would become adept at computer technology and finish the book I have been writing about my ancestral aunts from America.

Origins Unknown Season 2 is set to premiere in 2021 on Pinna. Subscribe to the Wonkybot Studios newsletter to keep posted on premiere dates and more Q & A’s with the creative team behind the show!