Sue “Boomer” Jenkins is a towering figure in Wentworth. When needed, she’s the muscle.
But what’s so interesting is the actress who plays her, Katrina Milosevic, is nothing like that. While Boomer has a… well, booming voice, Katrina is softly spoken.
When she auditioned for the role of Boomer, Katrina says the producers thought she might have been too “girlie” for the role.
“[Director] Kev Carlin told me before the audition, ‘Make sure you ug [ugly] yourself up for the role,'” Katrina recalls. So, that’s exactly what she did.
Six years later, and Katrina is somewhat surprised, given how different she really is to Boomer, that she gets recognised on the street. Now, she relishes the opportunities to be her own girlie self.
“I proved I could be skanky and manky,” Katrina explains.
“But after six seasons, I just want to be glamorous and treated like I have clean teeth!”
Katrina reveals she’s much more feminine than Boomer.
Katrina trained at Sydney’s National Institute Of Dramatic Art, before landing roles in Stingers and Neighbours.
Boomer was more of a guest role in season one of Wentworth. But by season two, Katrina was added to the regular cast.
Curiously, Katrina says Boomer was partly inspired by the people she sees on public transport.
“I like to film people on the tram,” she admits. “There are some fascinating people out there – people from wealthier areas like South Yarra, and then those from the poorer areas of Melbourne.”
Playing Boomer means the world to Katrina. However, she concedes the character does take a toll.
“I show the world a part of myself with Boomer,” she says. “But as time goes on, she can be hard to shake off.”
Wentworth Season Six premieres Tuesday June 19, 8:30pm, on Showcase on Foxtel.
