I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia 2022‘s Maria Thattil has announced she’s the latest actor to join Neighbours.
Maria first rose to prominence when she was named Miss Universe Australia in 2020 and has added many titles to her resume since, including podcast host, author and presenter.
Now, she joins the iconic Australian soap opera as Amira Devkar, the older sister to current star Shiv Palekar‘s character, Haz.
Taking to Instagram on December 7, Maria, 30, said she “couldn’t be more proud” of her latest gig.
“I’ve been a few places this year — from the Drag Race panel to the big red TEDX stage — but I’m pretty excited about this next destination…. I’m SO excited to be heading to Ramsay St in 2024!” she penned.
“I couldn’t be more proud to join the beautiful Neighbours cast at a time when the show is evolving to tell even more Australian stories.”
Maria, who is bisexual, continued: “Imagining 10-year-old me turning on the telly to see herself is pretty surreal… even more so because I can’t remember ever seeing a gay female South Asian character on an Australian TV show. Can you?
“Grateful to [Neighbours] and [Channel Ten] for the honour of being an authentic representation of what we’ve been missing. And to do it with a bang.”
Maria Thattil originally auditioned for a different Neighbours role
According to the Herald Sun, the TV sensation started filming her guest star role at the beginning of December after auditioning in early 2023.
“Earlier in the year, I submitted an audition for a different character when Neighbours was first casting for the reboot,” Maria explained.
“Audaciously, I took a punt submitting a self-tape for a role that I knew I probably looked a little too young to play, ha. However, the team at Neighbours loved it. They were gracious enough to call me back for a different role and voila… Amira Devkar is coming to Ramsay St.”
Maria Thattil says Neighbours role is a ‘full circle’ moment
She told the publication that her new gig “is so aligned to [her] deepest values” as the show broadens its horizons.
“I genuinely can’t remember ever seeing a gay female South Asian Australian character on an Aussie TV show in my childhood and I always wonder how proper representation — beyond tokenism or exaggerated caricatures — would’ve changed some of my experiences with racism, homophobia, feeling like I didn’t belong, wasn’t normal or Australian enough,” Maria said.
“This role feels ‘full circle’ because it’s giving me the chance to be the authentic representation that I, and wider Australia, has needed.”
The reality personality also noted that “diverse and progressive characters aren’t just boxes to tick”.
“Nor are they just fun storylines,” she declared. “These characters represent real Australians whose stories haven’t been told in the mainstream and I’m so proud of Neighbours for doing the work to bring change, evolve and properly represent different lived experiences.
“We all deserve to be seen and heard.”
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