How Paula and Bree are turning tragedy into comedy

13 Jul

The director admits her leading lady does a better job of being her than she does!

Bree Peters is fearless. So says award-winning documentary maker and director Paula Whetu Jones. She has cast the Shortland Street and Sweet Tooth actor as Tessa Rivers in Spinal Destination, a six-part dark comedy series based on show creator, writer and director Paula’s own true story. She lost the use of her legs in a matter of hours one day, after her immune system attacked her spine, leaving her in a wheelchair.

“I’m not fearless. I’m such a worrier!” laughs Bree, who has also starred in The Brokenwood Mysteries and Home And Away. She adds, “I’m like a labrador – I love people and I want to be loved. I always worry what people think.

How Paula and Bree are turning tragedy into comedy

‘A story I wanted to tell’: The paralysis diary that became a Sky comedy series