New heist drama ‘The Unusual Suspects’ will premiere on SBS next month, with Sydney Olympic Park talent Susana Downes set to feature in the gripping series.
Ms Downes was introduced to music by her mother at the tender age of one-year-old. This birthed the inner-performer in her which saw her later enrol at The McDonald College Performing Arts School, where her love for acting and theatre blossomed.
After high school, she attended the Australian Institute of Music and studied a Bachelor of Music whilst doing whatever jobs she could in the quest of her big break.
Now as her first major TV role, Ms Downes will play Gigi in the four-part mini-series.
‘The Unusual Suspects’ follows the story of an elaborate heist in Eastern Sydney and the police investigation that ensues.
Both entertaining and enthralling, the series uses the hook of the heist genre to unpack the complex relationships between a diverse group of women.
‘The Unusual Suspects’ marks the first major representation of Filipino-Australians on our screens.
Ms Downes said getting the part has been a dream come true and holds a special place in her heart.
“The only representation I ever got as a kid was Kathleen from Hi-5,” she said.
“That’s all I had that was of the same culture as me on Australia TV, so to be that to other Filipino or half-Filipino kids is really important to me.”
She said getting to play the part of a Filipino character really allowed her to connect deeply with the script.
“I haven’t really gotten to play a Filipino character before,” she said.
“I’ve played Vietnamese, Eurasian, generic – not even specific as to what kind of Asian, so having that authentic representation is just… I am so honoured.”
Ms Downes has encountered racial-bias throughout her performing career, particularly when she won the Miss Earth Australia 2019 pageant.
Despite the unkind remarks she has endured, she says it makes her more determined to be a role model for other multicultural Australians.
‘The Unusual Suspects’ premieres Thursday, June 3 at 8.30pm on SBS.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.