'You don't have to be sweet'

Anna Samson is back as tough cop Mackenzie in Return To Paradise and tells us what she's learnt

- WORDS: LAURA CARRENO-MÜLLER

Mackenzie Clarke cautiously settles back into Dolphin Cove in Return To Paradise's second series - but it's far from easy. "Her definition of home is being questioned," said Anna Samson, who reprises her role as the steely detective. "She was so sure London is where she wanted to be in season one. Now, she's not sure, which is scarier."

Mackenzie left London amid professional setbacks, landing in the fictional Australian town she once fled, under a cloud of suspicion. The first series saw her embroiled in investigating multiple murders and sharing a tense reunion with ex-fiancé Glenn Strong (Tai Hara). Glenn has moved on with Daisy Dixon (Andrea Demetriades) but made his feelings for Mackenzie clear - complicating her plans to leave.

In the second series, Mackenzie feels more lost than ever. "She wanted to run away from how much she hurt Glenn," said Anna, 35. "Their story is even muddier now. It's much more confusing if someone has admitted feelings. Mackenzie has pride but she questions whether she is good for Glenn.