TV LEGENDS MICHALA & BRETT 'OUR LIFE-LONG BOND'

Twenty-five years on, the McLeod's Daughters co-stars still lean on each other

- 

Over two decades, Kiwi actress Michala Banas and Aussie star Brett Tucker have navigated loss, love and life together, always having each other's backs.

Initially winning hearts as lovebirds Kate Manfredi and Dave Brewer on global hit series McLeod's Daughters, the pair are now starring in brand-new local crime drama Blue Murder Motel.

“We've known each other more than half our lives,” says Michala, 47, who grew up in Wellington, before her family moved to Australia.

“And she's still talking to me!” grins Melbourne lad Brett, 53.

Having a connection to New Zealand is particularly important for the Upper Middle Bogan actress right now, after the unexpected death of her dad, legendary Kiwi screenwriter and director John Banas, at the end of last year.

As part of honouring his memory, when Woman's Day speaks with Michala, she has just arrived back in Aotearoa to reprise her role as pyrotechnician Kylie Shorrock in the hit TV series A Remarkable Place To Die, written by John.

“I'm putting extra pressure on myself because I want to do really good work since it's his last series,” she says.