Once The Bachelor is over, it’s usually time to switch off the TV, wash the wine glasses and head to bed.
But now, there’s a new Wednesday night obsession and it’s in the form of Network Ten’s new show Playing For Keeps.
By now you’ve heard all about the premise of the show – a behind the scenes look at an Aussie AFL club, focusing specifically on the WAGS (wives and girlfriends) of the players.
But according to star of the show and one of the hottest Aussie actors in TV right now, Olympia Valance, it’s not your stock standard drama about the lives of the rich and famous.
The cast of Playing For Keeps.
“This is a feminist take on what is stereotypically a masculine world,” Olympia told Now to Love in an exclusive chat.
“If you’re looking for cat fights or cattiness amongst the women – you’re not really going to get it,” she says.
“These are women that support each other, they support each other’s success, they love each other dearly and that’s important. When women band together, that’s when they’re at their most powerful.”
The former Neighbours star is also adamant that there’s more to the story.
“There is such a stereotype with the word WAG and with the females in the sporting industry,” she adds. “What people don’t realise is what they do behind closed doors. They are the back bone of the industry and sacrifice just as much as the man.”
Playing for Keeps represents the “backbone” of the AFL industry.
Already, the show promises to bring the drama, mystery and an incredibly good-looking cast – something that is perfect for the ultimate girls night in front of the TV.
Olympia plays Tahlia, the stunningly confident woman dating the captain of the AFL team captain, Connor Marrello (Jackson Gallagher) and embodies everything that you’d expect from a WAG.
“Tahlia has so many layers to her,” Olympia says. “She begins the show as the stereotype of what everyone thinks these women are, but there’s so much more than meets the eye. I think they get judged on a surface level and critiqued very easily but there’s so much more going on. When we unravel her, she is just a normal human being. She’s beautifully flawed, she’s vulnerable and she has a big heart.”
“I just know that people are really going to love her.”
While Jackson and Olympia have mega chemistry on-screen, it’s very easy to assume that the pair could be an item off-screen.
So is it true?
“I wish!” she exclaims. “He’s the sexiest human being on the planet! He’s divine on the outside and the inside and he’s just the most beautiful person.”
Le sigh.
Even though wedding bells are on the horizon for Olympia’s character, it’s safe to say the gorgeous actress won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon.
“I’m single at the moment, I’m constantly travelling and my career is super important to me,” Olympia reveals.
“I just think I’m at a good age when I don’t want to focus on anyone else. This is my time and I unapologetically want to succeed.”
Playing for Keeps premieres 8.45 pm on Wednesday 19 September, straight after The Bachelor.
