by Dov Kornits
“It has been a healing process,” Grace Truman says when we ask her if making ‘GRACEFUL, amazing grace’ has been a cathartic experience for her. “Creating the series has certainly brought mum and I closer.”
On the eve of the Series 2 launch, titled GRACEFUL, the young actress/show co-creator explains the underpinning philosophy of the web series. “Mum and I created the show together,” she says of Julie Money. “We discuss situations I have encountered and struggled with, the stories dad would have shared to help me and then write the episodes from there. It is really fun working with mum and all the crew.”
Grace’s dad is AWGIE-winning writer Jeff Truman, played by Ben Wood in the series. “We cast Ben because he did look like my dad, although taller and younger. From the moment we met we just connected. He’s funny and smart like my dad, full of ideas and great to act with.”
Also starring Justine Clarke as her mum, the show is shot at Grace’s actual high school “We have been supported by my school all throughout the project and much more,” she says. “So grateful to them. We film on weekends or in the school holidays, so we don’t disrupt them.”
Grace promises ‘more complicated problems’ will be tackled in the latest series, along with a general improvement afforded by more time and higher budgets.
And what about Grace’s ambitions? Recently appearing on the stage in Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam and Bell Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, what can we look forward to from this inspirational and talented young Australian? “I have been in front of a camera since I was little when mum was producing/directing Play School in many, many “through the windows” films. My confidence as an actor has really grown through filming the 14 episodes of the series and I have now worked professionally in the theatre as well. I really enjoy acting but my other passions are STEM and cooking. Coming up for me is a big year at school. My ambitions are to continue to tell stories that connect with people whatever the subject matter.”
Episode 1 of ‘GRACEFUL, amazing grace’: Series 2 premieres on March 9, 2021
You can watch amazing grace: Series 1 here
