Press release from ABC TV Publicity
ABC TV today announced that four new presenters are set to join Big Ted, Humpty and all the toys at Play School. The four presenters, Hugh Sheridan, Essie Davis, Jolene Anderson and Abi Tucker are the latest to join a select group of respected performers to have the honour to host Play School, Australia’s most successful television program for pre-school children.
Hugh Sheridan is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s favourite actors in his role as Ben Rafter in the feel good drama Packed to the Rafters. Hugh has recently been nominated for not one, but two Logies – ‘Most Popular New Talent’, and the ‘Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent’.
Tasmanian actor Essie Davis has a long list of film, television and theatre credits to her name. Some of her films credits include the recent Baz Lurhmann blockbuster Australia, as well as children’s classic Charlotte’s Web, and the Australian indie film Hey Hey it’s Esther Blueburger.
Most widely recognised for her role as Erica Templeton on All Saints, Logie nominated, Jolene Anderson also demonstrated her extensive musical talents when she won It Takes Two with singing partner David Campbell.
Abi Tucker broke onto our screens in the hit ABC TV show Heartbreak High before starring in the The Secret Life of Us. Abi is now a household name since playing Grace Kingston in the iconic McLeods Daughters.
ABC TV Executive Head of Childrens’, Tim Brooke-Hunt said today: “We are thrilled that these talented actors have joined our fantastic team of Play School presenters. We believe that each of them has a rare ability to connect deeply with our pre-school audience and to inspire them to sing, laugh, and play.”
The new presenters have already begun recording Play School and their episodes will start screening on ABC For Kids later this year. Play School aims to encourage a child to wonder, to think, to feel and to imagine. It goes to air every weekday throughout the year on ABC1 at 9.30am and at 3.00pm and on ABC2 at 2.00pm.